The Rowing ACT Board met this evening following a Rowing Australia meeting, where advice was provided by RA’s Chief Medical Officer to the states and the national sporting organisation.

Following this
meeting, Rowing ACT has come to the difficult decision to cancel the Head of
the Lake and ACT Championships regattas that were to be conducted on March
14-15.

This decision has
been very difficult to make in light of the rapidly changing events associated
with the coronavirus and the commitment that so many of our athletes have made
in preparation over many months.

The Rowing ACT Board
acknowledges our civic responsibility to enforce social distancing which,
together with hygiene practices, is the best way to tackle the transmission of
the virus. This decision was not made lightly, nor is this the position we expected
to be in today, but the health and safety of our community is paramount.

We would like to acknowledge
the efforts of our local schools and clubs in helping organising these two
regattas and to those volunteers who were willing to put in their spare time
towards making this event a success. We also appreciate the effort taken by interstate
schools who were due to attend and compete in these regattas – we look forward
to having you back down in Canberra for future Rowing ACT regattas.

We ask that schools
are mindful of using minimal people with regards to pack-up. We recommend that
coaches only are present in the boat park for loading of equipment.