Border changes set to have a massive impact on WA sporting teams to play at home this summer

Fears are mounting that sport will soon be shut off from Western Australia as other states drop border restrictions in the coming weeks. South Australia will ease border restrictions on November 23, following in the foot steps of New South Wales and Victoria. Queensland and Tasmania are both planning to open up in December which leaves WA as the only State without a public roadmap for reopening before Christmas. Premier Mark McGowan said WA wouldn’t open to Victoria and NSW until “sometime in the first half of next year” and other states may face restrictions upon opening. WNBL Executive General Manager Paul Maley released a fixture on Tuesday morning and started changing it after South Australia’s announcement amid fears Perth Lynx could no longer host Adelaide in December. “WA, in terms of being an odd man out with the national road map, is putting in jeopardy the ability to have any sort of activity across virtually every sport,” Maley told The West Australian. “There’s not any easy way around it. It’s not desirable to do a seven day quarantine just to play a couple of games. Everyone understands what is required. “We are still hopeful. But it’s very frustrating. We, like every other sport, would urge WA to work with the sport.” Maley’s warning comes as December’s ATP Cup prepares to be scrapped over the inability to have a player bubble. Last week, both the Australian Baseball League and Hockey One cancelled their seasons. Cricket, basketball, AFL and soccer are also negotiating their way through WA’s border minefield. Doubts hang over the fifth Ashes test and WA Cricket boss Christina Matthews has already warned the Perth Scorchers could spend the entire BBL on the road. They are scheduled to start at Optus Stadium on December 8 but have games in Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart before the New Year. The WBBL should avoid the drama with finals starting on November 24 and the grand final on November 27. The A-League hasn’t announced games beyond December 27. Perth Glory’s men have five consecutive away games after starting at home on November 20. Women’s home venues haven’t been announced. Glory chief executive Tony Pignata hopes to host men’s home games early next year. “If the government makes a decision that once everyone else opens up they close us to the rest of Australia, then we’re going to be in a world of pain,” Pignata said. NBL officials remain confident of avoiding disruption as part of an approved plan to play quarantine matches in WA. AFLW should start on January 6, a fixture is expected by mid-November and all options are being considered to play a full season. West Coast and Fremantle have more time for the border to open before the AFL season but players are now unlikely to fly interstate to visit family for Christmas. The 2022 fixture release won’t be released until after next month’s national draft and both clubs are wary of having crowd restrictions but are crossing their fingers for more freedom. “There’s no doubt there’s a nagging risk that’s floating around,” Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick said.