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Virus cuts short competitions

Alexander ScottPilbara News
Karratha Kats' Marcus Smith gets away a handball.
Camera IconKarratha Kats' Marcus Smith gets away a handball. Credit: Pilbara News, Shannon Beattie

The Karratha sporting community are not immune from the sting of the coronavirus crisis, with fixtures being cut short and major leagues postponed because of restrictions.

Competitions across different codes are being thrown into chaos with most of the local leagues announcing they will be postponing their competitions, training sessions, and other associated events to help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.

Across the region, sporting clubs and leagues have announced their postponements via social media and emails to players, coaches, officials, and parents.

Seasons that were in progress have been ended, with the Karratha Water Polo Association cancelling the upcoming finals, while the Karratha Basketball Association have postponed all senior finals and forthcoming events for the 2019/20 season until further notice.

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The upcoming North Pilbara Football League and the inaugural season of the Karratha Women’s Football Association have been postponed until May 31.

Touch Football has also been postponed, with Karratha Touch Association president Arthur Ramirez taking to social media to announce the postponement of the pre-season round-robin.

“Our KTA committee will monitor the situation and plan on a commencement date for the coming season,” he said.

The upcoming softball season will be shortened to two rounds beginning in early June.

The West Pilbara Cricket Association suspended the current season with WPCA president Nick Lewis announcing over social media the Association would look to play the remaining finals matches at a later date if possible.

“If this issue remains unresolved for an extended time, we will likely cancel the remainder of the season,” he said.

“However, that decision will be taken at a later date.”

The upcoming netball season has also been delayed until after May 30, with training to re-commence on May 23, while the North West Netball Championships due to be held in Karratha in June have been postponed.

As part of the restrictions announced by Scott Morrison on Sunday, gyms and indoor sports facilities were forced to close their doors at midday Monday.

Local Brazilian jiujitsu gym Renegade Karratha held an open mat session on Monday morning for members to get one last roll in before the gym was forced to close doors for the foreseeable future.

It’s not all doom and gloom though with residents still able to go for runs or walks in the park to stay fit.

The City of Karratha is running a series of “At the park” exercise sessions, including a 3km walking in the park group and yoga in the park sessions.

The walking groups are scheduled to be held every Tuesday from March 31 at 630am from Kevin Richards Memorial Oval in Millars Well.

The yoga sessions are scheduled to be held across the region at parks in Karratha, Dampier, Roebourne, and Wickham.

The first session in Karratha was due to be held on April 2 at Baynton West Oval.

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