Following the weekend’s news that Leeds Rhinos Netball returned a positive COVID-19 result, the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) Rescheduling Competition Committee have agreed, as part of the league’s ‘Postponements, Reschedules and Cancellations’ process in place this season, that the team’s two remaining fixtures of the competition will be declared as cancelled and that Leeds Rhinos will be awarded the points for both games.
The team was scheduled to play against Celtic Dragons on Monday 21 June in Round 20 of the competition.
The decision was made because of a predetermined rule in place which states that where matches are cancelled because of a positive COVID-19 case, the result of the previous fixture in the season will be applied. Leeds Rhinos Netball have already played Celtic Dragons in an earlier round of the league and won the game. As a result, the decision has been made to award Leeds Rhinos the points in the cancelled game.
Government guidance states that when individuals are confirmed as ‘close contacts’ of a positive COVID-19 case they must isolate for 10 days. As Vitality Netball Superleague squads train and play indoors, all players and staff are considered to be close contacts of the individual who tested positive.
Ahead of the 2021 season, the VNSL and all 11 franchises collectively agreed a series of rules relating to the impact of COVID-19 in the competition. These rules provide clarity and fairness for all franchises on matters including cancelled fixtures due to positive COVID-19 cases given the likelihood of disruption from the ongoing global pandemic.
In this unprecedented and challenging season, the health and safety of players, staff, officials and fans remains the priority. The Vitality Netball Superleague is working closely with Leeds Rhinos and all impacted clubs as part of the COVID-19 protocols in place
