Bathurst District Cricket Association president Campbell Graham is excited by the prospect that clubs can finally return to training.
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On Monday, COVID-19 restrictions eased to allow for sporting groups to start training, however, actual matches are still a couple of weeks off, with Graham citing October 30 as the likely start of the local BDCA competitions.
Graham said it's great that clubs can start getting back to some sort of normality this week.
"It's a good step forward for cricket in general and for the clubs to get some normality back after what's been a pretty disrupted off-season," he said.
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"To get back to playing cricket and training, it gives some normality to the routine and what they're used to."
All Bathurst clubs are tied to Cricket NSW and NSW Health guidelines and Graham said clubs will have to make sure they follow them as they return back to training and playing.
"They have to follow the normal COVID rules that are in place, set down by Cricket NSW and NSW Health," he said.
"QR codes must be used at training, you have to be vaccinated before you come back to training. Social distancing as well
"As long as clubs are adhering to the policies and procedures we've set down. The clubs should also having their own safe work policy."
In terms of local competitions, BDCA is planning to run three competitions again - second grade, third grade and Presidents Cup - with the season expected to commence on October 30, the same day the Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket season has been scheduled to start.
"We're planning to start on October 30 as well. That's our tentative start unless things change," he said.
"We're govern by NSW Health and NSW Government rules but at this moment, it all bodes well for starting on the 30th.
"We're still looking at the same three grades - second, thirds and Presidents Cup. We've had renew interest in Presidents Cup and we're probably looking at nine sides it that. Third grade is looking strong again, four maybe five sides."
Local cricket clubs have been unable to train for months since the COVID-19 lockdown for regional NSW and Bathurst came into affect in the middle of August.
However, individual players have been able to train by themselves, they just haven't been able to train as a team.
The local Bathurst District Cricket Association competitions are expected to commence on Saturday, October 30, in line with NSW hitting 80 per cent fully vaccinated.
Players will be required to be fully vaccinated, in line with NSW Government rules relating to community sport.
Draws for the three competitions are expected in the coming weeks.
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