Update #3 – Coronavirus (COVID-19)
From: Gary Corbett – Softball NL President
Dave Feener – Softball NL Executive Director
Softball NL Board of Directors
Date: Sunday, March 29, 2020
RE: 2020 NL Summer Games – Postponed
Softball NL Membership,
As we anticipated, the Provincial Government made the official announcement (See News Release Below) on Saturday, March 28 that the 2020 Newfoundland Labrador Summer Games scheduled to be held in Bay Roberts (August 15-22) have been Postponed.
We realize this decision is disappointing not only for all the athletes, coaches, managers and officials, but also for their families and supporters, as well as the Host Committee and the Town of Bay Roberts. We also acknowledge that given the current circumstances that this is the right decision for the overall health and safety of all parties involved.
We were looking forward to our athletes, coaches, managers and officials, as well as their families and supporters, participating in the 2020 NL Summer Games in Bay Roberts.
We have no doubt that when (not if) we collectively get through this Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic, that our athletes, coaches, managers and officials, as well as their families and supporters, will be ready to swing for the fences once again.
In the interim, we wish everyone associated with local sports in our Province the best of health and stay safe!
We Are In This Together!
Gary Corbett – Softball NL President
Dave Feener – Softball NL Executive Director
Softball NL Board of Directors
Softball NL
1296A Kenmount Road
Paradise, NL, A1L 1N3
Email: executivedirector@softballnl.
(709) 576-3418
Website: www.softballnl.ca
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SoftballNL
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/
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Official News Release from Department of CSSD
2020 Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games Postponed
Children, Seniors, and Social Development
March 28, 2020
Due to concerns related to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the 2020 Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games, which were scheduled to be held in Bay Roberts from August 15-22, are postponed.
Because of the current Public Health State of Emergency, all sport facilities are closed, athletes are not able to train in the regular way, play downs are not happening and teams cannot be selected.
The Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development has consulted with the Town of Bay Roberts, the 2020 Games Host Committee and SportNL, and there is mutual agreement that the Games should be postponed.
The Provincial Government recognizes that athletes, sport organizations, sponsors and others may be disappointed by this decision, but we all appreciate that the health and safety of everyone in Newfoundland and Labrador is of the utmost concern as we all deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
This decision is consistent with recent public announcements from other jurisdictions such as cancelling the Arctic Winter Games and the International Olympic Committee postponing the 2020 Olympic/Paralympic Summer Games in Japan.
For the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.
For general inquiries related to government services, please call 1-833-771-0696 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday or email covid19info@gov.nl.ca any time.
Quotes
“We recognize that this is disappointing for our young athletes, their coaches, families and supporters, because for many of you, the Newfoundland and Labrador Games represent the pinnacle of your achievements in sport to date. I want to assure you that we are continuing to work with the Host Committee, the Town of Bay Roberts and SportNL, and will work with our partners to reschedule the Games once our current health emergency is resolved.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
“The 2020 NL Summer Games Host Committee remains committed to delivering the most exciting and successful experience possible for our athletes and our community. We fully support efforts to protect the health and safety of everyone during this challenging time and will be working diligently with the Provincial Government, the Town of Bay Roberts and Sport NL to select a new date for these Games.”
Judy Morrow
Co-Chair, 2020 NL Summer Games Host Committee
“The Town of Bay Roberts shares the concerns of the Provincial Government and the Host Committee for the health and safety of everyone in our communities, and we agree that the best course of action at this time is to postpone the 2020 NL Summer Games. When this public health emergency is over, we will resume preparations for the Games in partnership with the Provincial Government and the Host Committee.”
Mayor Philip Wood
Town of Bay Roberts
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Media Contacts
Gina MacArthur
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
ginamacarthur@gov.nl.ca
Judy Morrow
2020 NL Summer Games Host Committee
709-727-3773
judymorrow@nf.aibn.com
Philip Wood
Mayor of Bay Roberts
709-786-0204
pwood@nf.sympatico.ca
