Bendigo Stadium Limited has supported the National Basketball League's decision to postpone Sunday's season-opener between Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix.
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The game was scheduled to be played at Bendigo Stadium at 5pm on Sunday, but has been postponed to Sunday, January 31 at 3pm.
Recent COVID-19 outbreaks in New South Wales and Victoria forced the NBL to revamp the opening weeks of its 2021 season.
Melbourne United's second home game of the season was to be played at Bendigo Stadium on January 15, but that has also been postponed to a date yet to be finalised.
At this stage, Melbourne United's home game on February 7 at Bendigo Stadium will remain on that date.
"We respect the decision made by NBL, as a result of the advice of the health authorities,'' BSL chief executive Nathan O'Neill said.
"Safety is absolute paramount. We are encouraged by the opportunity to still host Melbourne United at the Bendigo Stadium for multiple games, commencing January 31.
"Our venue has had robust COVID management plans implemented for some time now therefore we provide the safest environment for players, fans, and officials.
"The season is shaping up to be something special and to have games in Bendigo isn't to be missed. And if we are required to host more games throughout the season, we are ready."
All patrons who had purchased a ticket to the game on January 10 will have their tickets honoured, with the digital tickets automatically updated by Ticketek to the correct date. Anyone who can no longer attend due to the new date, is able to request a full refund.
"We apologise for any inconvenience that the shift in scheduling has caused, but like all events of this nature we are subject to the ever-changing and unpredictable COVID-19 landscape," Melbourne United's CEO Vince Crivelli said:
"We will work with all of our stakeholders to work through all of the relevant challenges that relate to the postponement of the game, but we look forward to playing in front of our fans in Bendigo on the 31st of January.
"We thank everyone for their ongoing support and patience, and we look forward to the season getting underway."
The NBL season schedule will be released on a rolling basis so that the league may respond to prevailing conditions.
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