The resumption of basketball and sports as a whole?

The Times have also claimed that a cross-sport group is working with the Government on behalf of all professional sports aiming to return to action.

The Government would first have to allegedly meet its five restart tests, which include cutting both death and infection rates before plans for the resumption of sport can be implemented.

And each sport would also allegedly have to comply with an uncompromising set of criteria, which involve making sure social distancing is maintained and keeping everyone involved safe from possible coronavirus infection.

Participants in the various sports would also reportedly have to undergo regular testing, which will have to be paid for by clubs or the sport's chiefs in order to prevent essential workers from being blocked

(The last sentence alone rules out pro basketball in UK)

This site is mainly frequented by BBL fans but there are a decent smattering of National league supporters and I’m sure many of you play, coach and ref in local league and or national league games as well.

So leaving aside the top level of our sport in this country when do you all see the rest of basketball being allowed to start up? I think IRF suggested April 2021 and that sounds horrendous but I’m not sure he’s wrong either.

Compared to the loss of life and the potential economic impact of this virus the lack of sport is secondary. However sport is critically important to the nations health and well-being. It plays an important part in a our national psyche. With other countries being either clever enough or lucky enough to be able to get back to “normal” much sooner we could feel the impact of this from a sports sense for years to come. If the break in play is significant how many aspiring young players will lose interest and even worse....become Fortnite addicts!

I can only see 3 scenarios where grass roots contact sports can get back up and running ;

1) a vaccine......long way off
2) in absence of 1) mass testing with a credible system that allows those with perceived immunity from the current version or to prove they don’t have it that week.......sounds unrealistic
3) complete u-turn in our countries strategy that says stuff it. Most of you who get it will be OK and those at risk should stay away......like I say a complete u-turn.

I miss playing and coaching much more than watching. I reckon I won’t be back on court until 2021 but I sincerely hope I’m wrong.

Return to normal is a long way off. The real threat to navigate is this:

www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/apr/02/british-sports-bodies-fear-financial-ruin-because-of-coronavirus-pandemic

Belgium planning to be one of the first European countries to open schools. The kids will need to wear masks and be limited to a maximum 10 per classroom and work with 4 square metres of space around them



We will likely be learning from what works for them and doesn't etc.

They are re-open fabric shops early to allow people to buy masks that will be compulsory on all public transport.

Masks don't properly protect the wearer from what I've read. But they protect others around them to a decent extent if the mask wearer is a carrier.

Of course!! You should know by now no one can silence me 🤣

I had a feeling you would be!!

Certain teams that are in states that have relaxed their social distancing rules. Even then on a voluntary basis for individual players only to start with.
It’s a start and will help the surprising amount of NBA players who apparently don’t have a hoop at home!
However the NBA allowing stars into their largely empty facilities is a long way from where it needs to be before any play resumes....it’s a start though.

I’m starting to believe that social distance restrictions in UK will be relaxed around 18th May. There seems to be a theme running through multiple news threads. I think the additional traffic being seen on roads is an indication that people are starting to practice their own form of the rules anyway.

Let’s see. Stay safe and well folks!!

Denmark beat them to that by over a week - with schools reopened for under 12s with increased spacing and plans for more learning outside.
Sweden has not had to beat either of them - as have not closed the schools in the first place.

Looking at charts of the curves of infection and death rates across countries with different approaches - you can take out of them arguments for whatever side of the fence you sit on.
The only thing all of them can agree on is doing nothing is not an option.

LT ... I've been watching the highlights on Sunday mornings. Its definitely not the same without the crowd interaction (thats for sure )

I Imagine their all tested before fights. Also, I would assume that most of them so physycally fit, they would probably risk it and make a few bucks.

Although ... it coud be a contract thing (not sure how it works)

I do know Dana White (UFC president) is desperate to get fights going, even going as far as holding them on-
remote Islands and Indian reservations (thats feathers, not dots ).

F1 is susposed to be kicking off in early July with Austria and even Silverstone is still on the calander (we shall see)

As for footy, when it does finally kick off again, I assume it will be behind closed doors so they can see how it all plays out.

...looks like we are all stuck in limbo at the moment ... What strange times we live in !!

Anyways, ... Be well, Be safe and take care 

Although still on the calendar it is closed to fans. While they're still making parts for the NHS there's no way they can go racing. 

Neither do I although the only things that fly to European races are the team members everything else goes by wagons. 

France has cancelled all sporting events until September.