Local associations and clubs are encouraging participants to get vaccinated but have stopped short of introducing their own mandates in the hope a ruling will come from the top levels of sport and government.

Competitive community sport will be allowed to return from a near three-month hiatus when Victoria reaches its 80 per cent double dose benchmark, which is expected to be around Melbourne Cup day (Nov 2).

However, unlike access to hospitality and entertainment venues, the state government's updated roadmap does not clarify whether community sport will only be permitted for those are fully vaccinated.

Currently, all the roadmap states is: "community sport will be permitted indoors and outdoors with minimum number required. For spectators, public gathering limits apply".

The Ballarat Cricket Association, through correspondence with its clubs, is encouraging all its players, and the wider community, to get vaccinated but has received no overarching guideline from Cricket Victoria.

BCA officials told The Courier that they would rely on advice from CV and the state government.

In a COVID update published earlier this week, Cricket Victoria said there was an "unknown state government position" regarding mandatory vaccination to play, coach, or umpire.

Likewise, the Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region will take its lead from public health directions.

Board members have met to discuss what a vaccination policy may look like and what that might involve for clubs and members but have received no guidelines from Bowls Victoria.

BHBR directors told The Courier that they hoped advice would come in the "near future", amid concerns about an ever-nearing return to play.

Bowls Victoria's latest return to play guidelines notes "there is currently no government mandated mechanism to assess a persons' vaccination status."

"Until developed, clubs can choose whether to enforce vaccination requirements on their members," the document read.

Tennis Victoria finds itself in similar territory.

"We are currently fielding a high number of queries from the Victorian tennis community about what the roadmap means for a return to tennis competition and vaccination status," its latest COVID update said.

"Tennis Victoria continue to await further details from State Government regarding vaccination requirements for community sport. When we know, we will let you all know.

"It remains a possibility that participants may be required to be fully vaccinated so we continue to encourage our community to get vaccinated if you can."

While "strongly recommending" everyone get vaccinated, the state's health department did not directly answer The Courier's question on whether vaccine mandates would be introduced for community sport.

A DHHS response read:

"With Victoria ready to reopen, community sport is set to kick off across the state.

"The best way to keep your team in the game this season is to get vaccinated. By doing so, you'll not only be protecting yourself and your teammates from COVID-19, you'll also be helping everyone get back to doing the things they love.

"Vaccination against COVID-19 is strongly recommended for all community sport participants, including competitors, club staff and event officials."

Under the New South Wales state government's 80 per cent double dose restrictions, community sport is permitted for fully vaccinated staff, spectators and participants.

Capacity limits of 200 people were initially set but have since been raised to 1000 following criticism from clubs and associations.

In Victoria, professional athletes are be required to be fully vaccinated having been deemed authorised workers.

Discussions between sports bodies and the state government, and restrictions on outdoor exercise, hint that the same mandate might trickle down to the grassroots level.

Basketball Victoria told its members to expect a vaccination policy.

"It appears that the State Government is developing a double dose vaccination policy for community sport and are now working towards how that will be implemented, but at this stage that is still to be determined," its COVID update said.

"In the meantime, Basketball Victoria encourages all Victorians who are currently eligible to receive a vaccination to book an appointment and get vaccinated."

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