Determined to crown its remaining champions in the respective divisions, the revamped Courts All Sectors Netball League will resume today at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, Tunapuna, bidding to complete its disrupted season.
The 30th edition of the league was paused after matches on March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but will restart following the health protocols issued by the government against the spread of the coronavirus.
Today's matches include a double-header in the Retro Division and the continuation of the battle for Championship Division's league title. Taking the court first in round two action of the veteran category are Police X versus Jabloteh at 5.30 pm followed by Police Y against TSTT at 6.20 pm.
In the feature match of the evening, Jabloteh will take on the University of T&T (UTT) in the opening playoffs match from 7.10 pm. The Championship Division's playoffs will continue tomorrow, Thursday and Saturday.
The league, which is primarily played at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Tacarigua is unavailable because the neighbouring National Racquet Centre is a national quarantine facility, and has been shifted to the Centre of Excellence. It will run until August 15 with prize-giving ceremony carded for that final day of the competition.
Apart from the change of venue, there is the cancellation of two of its knockout competitions including the Fast 5 Festival and the Retro Style Knock Out.
On Friday, executive member Brenda Prince re-confirmed in a release the precautionary measures that will be taken at the new playing venue for the remaining of the season including sanitising and that all participants are required to wear masks except when they are playing or officiating on the court.
A sink for washing of hands and sanitisers will be provided and social/physical distancing is expected in the stands. No spectators will be allowed so there will be no collection of gate fees.
Players are asked to arrive no earlier than ten minutes before the start of their respective matches and leave immediately after the matches. Late fees that facilitate the late start of matches have been suspended for this period.
On Saturday, to complete the first week on the resumption, the Steve Sargeant Challenge, a knockout competition for teams in the Premiership Division, will take centre stage, starting at 3.30 pm with Fire Service team aiming to repeat as champion. The final is carded for 5.30 pm.
Matches
Today
Retro Division
Police X vs Jabloteh, 5.30 pm
Police Y vs TSTT, 6.20 pm
Championship Division
Jabloteh vs UTT, 7.10 pm
Tomorrow
Police X vs TSTT, 5.30 pm
Ninth/tenth place playoff: Defence Force vs Police Y, 6.45 pm