Community sport organisations have welcomed the NSW government's announcement of the return of sport once the state reaches its 80 per cent double vaccination target.
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The roadmap will see fully-vaccinated adults permitted to participate, while juniors will also have the chance to take to the fields for the first time since late June.
The requirements around vaccination have seen a number of organisations urge their members to get the jab in order to ensure they can participate when restrictions do ease.
The summer sports are particularly excited to commence their seasons and minimise the delay as much as possible. Exact start dates will differ by sport.
The region's athletics clubs are waiting for direction from their respective governing bodies before finalising their plans for the summer.
Cricket Illawarra has pencilled in Saturday November 6 for round one of the men's first-grade competition, with the women to commence on Friday November 12.
However president Allan Bradford said this could be brought forward should the state reach it's vaccination targets in mid-October.
"The key message is we're ready to go," Bradford said. "As soon as health orders allow us, we're ready to start.
"Our competition structures are done, our contingency plans are done. If we can start early, we can bring our plans forward.
"We'll aim to give teams 10 days from when health orders change to the first match. That gives clubs time for practice and grading before that first Saturday."
While Monday's announcement proved there is light at the end of the tunnel, administrators are still awaiting further details regarding specific rules for vaccinated and unvaccinated players.
Some clubs are concerned about the burden of monitoring vaccination status of players and spectators at matches and the role of COVID marshals.
The easing of all restrictions for unvaccinated people on December 1 has also led to some organisations considering the merit of waiting until this point before resuming sport.
South Coast Cricket president Grant Tilling said his association is eager to start their competition as soon as practical, however he needs more details before a start date can be pencilled in.
"We're excited to get a date community sport can commence," Tilling said. "But we need clarity around what the rules are around community sport commencing."
Officials from all sports are urging athletes to register now to help with planning for the summer ahead.
In making the announcement, Premier Berejiklian said exact guidelines for community sport will be released as soon as finalised.
"Health will work with the sector to make sure we have those plans in place ahead of the 80 per cent," Berejiklian said. "We wanted to make clear that you can't start community sport before the 80 per cent double dose and to provide that certainty for our organisations."
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