Canberra Capitals eye packed house for WNBL's return as officials draft COVID-safe plans

WNBL officials have confirmed every player and official from all eight clubs is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in a major boost leading into the 2021-22 campaign.

Canberra's season tips off in Sydney on December 5, before a return bout against the Flames at the National Convention Centre on December 12.

It will mark the Capitals' first game in Canberra since they clinched a championship at the AIS Arena in March 2020, with membership and ticket sales "red hot" leading into the league's long-awaited return to the city.

Fans will not be required to be fully vaccinated against the virus to attend matches in Canberra, but Capitals officials are wary of limiting any potential outbreak which could hit the competition.

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"We reflect the government's COVID protocols, as does the NCCC. They adapt to whatever the government's health direction is at the time," Capitals general manager Lucille Bailie said.

"Each venue will have a COVID safety plan. You've got to check-in on arrival. We'll have controlled and uncontrolled zones.

"The controlled zones will be the court with players, officials, matchday staff. Then there will be the uncontrolled zone which is fans, venue staff and more event management staff. There's density limits in the venue so we'll have some traffic flow controls in place.

"We have lots of things to be sensible about it. We can make sure if there is a COVID outbreak that relates to a Caps match, we've got processes in place to limit that impact.

"You'd hate for the venue to be shut down and you couldn't play the following game or something. It's a lot of work but it's necessary, because we need players and everyone to be safe."

WNBL officials did not mandate the COVID-19 vaccine but Victoria and Queensland health officials are set to block unvaccinated athletes from playing in those states.

With three clubs based in Victoria and another in Queensland, players and officials took it upon themselves to roll up their sleeves and get the jab so they would not miss games.

"We really needed and wanted, within COVID constraints, to get back to a full home and away season and to deliver locally. The players are a part of that. It's their livelihood," Bailie said.

"It's tremendous that 100 per cent of players, officials, coaches and management from our point of view, are fully vaccinated.

"It's an individual decision, we respect that, but it's a positive statement about the people involved in this league and how committed we are to getting it back and delivering for the fans."

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