SimplySwim
SimplySwim is a school management solution that helps swimming school owners and managers optimize operations by automating functions such as managing class schedules, billing and…
read moreCrowd limits for Melbourne Storm’s NRL fixtures on the Sunshine Coast are to be reduced by 1,000 after concerns were raised by the NRL and the club about social distancing at the venue over the weekend.
The move follows yesterday’s Storm ‘home’ match against the Newcastle Knights at the Sunshine Coast Stadium where, despite the overall crowd of 5,437 being beneath the venue’s 6,000 capacity, broadcast images during the game appeared to show fans packed on the hill.
According to reports, the NRL and Storm have today been in contact with the Queensland Government, whose venues require venues to only be filled to 50% capacity.
While the Sunshine Coast Stadium is able to hold up to 12,500 patrons, and despite claims that there were only 2,830 on the hill on Sunday, the Queensland Government said the number of overall fans permitted at the venue will now be reduced to 5,250.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr. Jeanette Young said there were five health officials at the ground to enforce social distancing but she said that a hill made it more difficult than a usual seated venue.
At NRL matches in NSW the restriction on the hill is one person per four square metres rather than a percentage of capacity, which is why grounds such as Kogarah Oval looked empty in comparison to Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Dr Young advised “we do need to go and review that because it is hard to maintain social distancing when you’re sitting on the ground.
“I saw people trying to do that, they were on separate rugs for separate household groups but we just have to have another look at that.
“They followed the rule but looking at it, because it’s not a traditional seated stadium with proper seats, I think it’s a bit harder to maintain that distance. They’ll work through just how to make it a bit safer - that 50% cap is better designed for where you’ve got formal seating.”
Sunshine Coast Council Sport and Community Venues Manager Grantley Switzer today acknowledged that it had been "difficult for some people to social distance" on the hill during yesterday’s game.
With the Storm due to play again at the ground on Saturday when they face Canterbury, Sunshine Coast Stadium management is considering refunds for those who have bought tickets for the clash but may now not be able to attend.
Switzer advised “there is a likelihood that we may look to be refunding people who have already bought tickets. We are working through that process now and it also depends on where we land with Queensland Health and the COVID-safe plan.”
No move to larger crowds at the Adelaide Oval
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has today announced a range of restrictions that will have an impact on the AFL.
While around 18,000 people have been attending recent Port Adelaide and Adelaide home AFL games at the Adelaide Oval, there had been hopes that the capacity would be increased later in the season.
However, those plans have been dashed with Premier Marshall advising “we set ourselves a goal to go up to 25,000, but we have never actually been at 25,000.
“It’s likely to rest at around 10,000 outdoor spectators, plus a number of people in venues that are contained at the Oval.”
Images: Melbourne Storm is currently playing its home NRL fixtures at the at the Sunshine Coast Stadium (top) and management at the venues were criticised for crowds not observing social distancing at yesterday’s match between the Storm and Newcastle Knights (below).
2nd August 2020 - Concerns over crowds’ failure to social distance during NRL clash at Sunshine Coast Stadium
26th July 2020 - NRL broadcasts lose more than a million viewers since competition restart
23rd July 2020 - AFL and NRL show year-on-year value gains
15th July 2020 - AFL looks to relocate more clubs to Queensland
13th July 2020 - Optus Stadium prepares for AFL fixtures this week
3rd July 2020 - AFL’s Victorian teams to move interstate
30th June 2020 - AFL faces fixture upheaval as Victorian Coronavirus cases rise
25th June 2020 - Victorian fans to be prevented from attending NRL and AFL games in NSW
9th June 2020 - AFL season restart to see 2,000 fans at Adelaide Oval on Saturday
9th June 2020 - Quayclean to ensure health of venue attendees when AFL season re-starts
5th June 2020 - NSW Government to allow corporate boxes to operate at NRL fixtures from next week
26th May 2020 - NRL’s goal to have crowds in stadiums in July described as ‘absurd and dangerous’ by Australian Medical Association
25th May 2020 - Stadiums prepare for NRL return
20th May 2020 - NRL announces six venues that will host restarted season fixtures
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
SimplySwim is a school management solution that helps swimming school owners and managers optimize operations by automating functions such as managing class schedules, billing and…
read moreTurnstile Entry Systems and Access Control Centaman Entrance Controls’ Award Winning Range of Access Control Systems includes tripod & triarm turnstiles, speedgates, full height…
read moreDAE Global is one of the world’s leading international creative and production practitioners, creating award-winning sport, culture and entertainment experiences for over 30 years. It was…
read morePerfect Gym Solutions is a software as a service (SaaS) solution purpose-built to service the fitness industry, with over 1000 clients servicing over two million gym members across 40 countries making…
read moreExerp is a global IT specialist in member management software for the fitness and leisure industry. By focusing on the needs of large enterprises, where streamlining, control and scalability are…
read moreGianni Mattoli Director 0412 360 378 E: gianni@mattoli.com.au E: marketing@mattioli.com.au Tony Aloi National Operations Manager 0425 762 864 E: tony@mattoli.com.au MEL · SYD · ADE…
read moreAflex Inflatables are the leaders for obstacle courses, pool toys, waterparks and land-based watersides and fitness runs. They are industry leaders offering the widest range of pool, lake and beach…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!