THE New Zealand Breakers have made a major call in parting ways with Tai Webster over the star guard's refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
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As all major sporting codes wrestle with ways to handle their athletes' varying views on vaccination, the Breakers are the first team to (publicly) release a player over a personal anti-vaccination stance.
Local product Webster was arguably the Breakers best performer last season and signed a new two-year deal with the club in July.
However, his unwillingness to be vaccinated would prevent him relocating to Melbourne - where the Breakers are expected to base themselves to start the season - or traveling across other state borders.
The Breakers spent the bulk of last season in Australia due to international travel restrictions in response to the pandemic.
NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger has stated the league won't mandate players be vaccinated, but warned government policies could prevent unvaccinated players traveling freely through different states.
"We will continue to educate our people and will strongly recommend [vaccination]," Loeliger said in a statement earlier this month.
"It may be that those who don't get vaccinated won't be able to travel between states and countries, or even enter certain venues, and therefore won't be able to participate in some games when the season begins.
"Individuals that decide not to get vaccinated could be subjected to different rules depending on various government protocols and restrictions."
In confirming the club's release of Webster, Breakers owner Matt Walsh cited Victoria's road map out of lockdown announced by Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday.
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It signalled certain freedoms will only be granted to those who are fully vaccinated, with Walsh saying it meant Webster would be unable to fulfil his playing duties.
"Tai was amazing for us last year and we wish him the absolute best," Walsh said.
"I fully support each player's freedom of choice in regards to the vaccine.
"The club will keep the door open for Tai, but unfortunately we are living in extraordinary times and without being vaccinated he will not have freedom of travel which would allow him to play for us this season."
The club also parted ways with Tai's older brother and Breakers stalwart Corey Webster by "mutual agreement" last month.
Days later, he was slammed after incorrectly claiming on social media that the Pfizer vaccine had killed nearly as many people as the virus.
He also had two years remaining on his contract with the club.
The NBL season is scheduled to begin on November 18, though it remains highly likely a further postponement will occur as NSW and Victoria look to navigate the latest delta outbreak that's seen full-scale lockdowns in both states.
The West Australian and Queensland governments have taken hard-line stances on border closures, with the NBL the only national sporting league facing the challenge of playing across all Australian states.
Earlier this month the Kings shutdown training and sent players and staff into isolation after a player returned a positive COVID test.
Reigning champions Melbourne United dealt with its own outbreak among players and staff prior to last season, ultimately going on to claim the title.
The Kings and Hawks began last season on the road when they were relocated to Albury on Christmas Eve amid the Sydney Northern Beaches outbreak.
Both subsequently shifted to North Queensland and, with the Melbourne NBL Cup added to the schedule, the Hawks played 16 of their first 17 games on the road, not returning to Wollongong full-time until April.