Due to the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, increasing social distancing measures and public gathering restrictions implemented, it is with great disappointment that the Queensland Touch Football (QTF) Board in conjunction with the QTF Management Team and the Fraser Coast Regional Council have made the decision to cancel the 2020 Junior State Cup in the best interests of the touch community.
“We have a duty of care to our participants, staff, affiliates and stakeholders and to run an event that brings over 10,000 people to the Fraser Coast region during a worldwide health crisis, would be irresponsible at this time.” – said Corey Bell, QTF CEO.
During unprecedented and challenging times and given the long-term uncertainty of the current non-essential gathering restrictions, non-essential travel restrictions, combined with the duty of care for all junior participants and attendees, QTF have inevitably had to make this difficult decision.
“We want to assure our affiliates, participants, and everyone involved in the event, we have spent weeks looking at various models and scenarios and liaising with key stakeholders looking at alternate dates to run this competition in its entirety later in the year, however, in the end, no other scenario for this event was feasible.” – Bell said.
The size and duration of this event requires people to travel from all over Queensland, invest significant time, money for accommodation, transport, registration fees and uniforms. The event could not be postponed with any certainty and it would potentially put attendee’s health at risk and posed a further unnecessary financial burden on families who are doing it tough right now.
QTF’s decision to cancel the 2020 Junior State Cup is in the best interests of everyone involved in this event.
While this event won’t proceed this July, QTF has an agreement with the Fraser Coast Regional Council until 2022 and can confirm the Junior State Cup will be back bigger and better in 2021 at the new venue, Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct, Thursday 8 July – Saturday 10 July 2021.
“This is a much-loved event in the Hervey Bay region, and we are deeply regretful we have had to cancel this year’s event. Our priority is to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy during this unprecedented time and we look forward to the Queensland Touch Football Junior State Cup returning in 2021.” – Fraser Coast Regional Council Gerard Carlyon said.
If you have made accommodation and/or transport bookings to participate in the 2020 event, QTF encourages you to reach out to your provider directly for a credit towards 2021 or to negotiate your booking with them.
QTF will continue to work with all levels of Government to identify other opportunities that may become available to reengage post-COVID 19 outbreak, to support junior participation and localised competitions once the restrictions are lifted by government authorities.
