Covid-19, Vaccinations and Sport in 2022

By Richard Hall | Posted: Thursday December 2, 2021

We have started to be told by sporting associations and venues their position on vaccination; and the news is that students will need to be double vaccinated to participate.

Vaccination is a difficult subject. While students are not required to be vaccinated to attend school, they will be, in 2022, to access many of the opportunities offered outside of the classroom, in this case sport.

School Sport New Zealand, the governing body that sanctions much of the tournament week activities we participate in have said;

'The board of School Sport NZ have confirmed that all School Sport NZ sanctioned events in Term 1 2022 (including the term 1 holidays) will be restricted to fully vaccinated participants, aged 12 and over, only. Where practicable, this mandate extends to spectators attending also. This decision will be reviewed post Summer Tournament Week 2022 and taking into account the latest Government advice.'

Without predetermining anything it is almost certain that local organisations will also begin to look closely at what they require, and our best guess is that they too will follow the double vaccinated line. Venues where local sport happens may require it too.

Schools such as ours are required to follow the guidance and requirements set.

The first example of this is this weekends rowing regatta at Lake Dunstan where both competitors, staff and supporters need to be vaccinated to participate. 

As more directives come in we will continue to update you. In the meantime, please be aware that we have to follow the guidelines that are set out by these organisations.