NBL unveils COVID replacement player rules for upcoming season

The NBL has unveiled new COVID-19 policies for its 10 teams, including the Illawarra Hawks, for the upcoming season.

This outlines the league's stance on the replacement of players impacted by COVID-19 and the circumstances in which games may be postponed.

The policy states:

• If a player is unavailable for selection due to COVID-19 protocols, the club can replace that player
• The COVID-19 replacement player rule is in addition to the current injury replacement rules however, a contracted injury replacement player may be selected as a COVID-19 replacement player
• COVID-19 player replacement players are contracted on a game-by-game basis and must be released from their contract once the player being replaced is cleared to return
• COVID-19 replacement players can play for multiple teams during the season
• Each team must field at least eight players for every game
• If a team has multiple players unavailable due to a COVID-19 situation and accordingly has less than eight active players available, they must engage one or more COVID-19 replacement player(s) to ensure they have eight active players
• If a team is unable to field eight active players for a game, after exhausting all reasonable options to contract COVID-19 replacement players, they may request to have that game postponed

The 2021-22 NBL season tips-off on Friday night when the Tasmania JackJumpers host the Brisbane Bullets at MyState Bank Arena at 7:30pm AEDT followed by the Perth Wildcats facing the Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena at 9:30pm AEDT.

While the Hawks open their season against the 36ers from 1pm Sunday AEDT at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

To join the Hawks' family, visit hawks.com.au/membership.