Sports to resume in Taranaki

Will Johnston

Sport Taranaki chief executive Michael Carr is welcoming the return of sport across the region.

With the change down to alert level two, sport can resume after nearly a month-long break across the country.

Fields, courts, turfs and other sports environments were left empty when the country was put into lockdown in the middle of August.

But under level two restrictions, teams sports can continue with restrictions in place.

Carr said many people have done well to keep active during the lockdown but will be keen to get back to their clubs, teams and other spaces and places.

“Clubs and organisations will be grappling with what level two means for them this time round and how they can get underway while playing it safe,” he said.

“If everyone plays their part and does what they need to do, then we will have a successful summer season ahead.”

Central Football operations manager Brent Youngson said Federation Cup matches will restart this weekend, while other local competitions will resume next weekend.

A Taranaki Hockey statement said school play-off matches will be confirmed once qualified schools resume.  

The masters north verse south games will go ahead along with its summer league.

Netball Taranaki is advertising its spring league and satellite cup competitions, both start in October.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced the resumption of the national provincial championship and Farah Palmer Cup and the start of the Heartland championship next weekend. The extra week will allow teams to prepare safely.

The Yarrows Taranaki Bulls will host Wellington at TET Stadium on Saturday, September 18, as originally planned. The Toi Foundation Whio play Hawkes Bay a week later nearly a month after the match was mean to be played.

Other matches will be tagged onto the end of the season.

The Bulls are two from two in the competition, while the Whio picked up a win from four matches.

A revised draw will be released soon and will exclude Auckland, North Harbour and Counties Manukau teams until the region drops down alert levels.    

Bowls’ opening days have been cancelled.

Spectators are limited to 100 at outdoors venues and 50 indoors.

Public parks and playground can reopen along with gyms, swimming pools, dance studios and health clubs, but with extra safety measures.