Dear Members,

The ECC Executive Committee met today to consider the vaccination policy for club events in light of the state governments recent announcement allowing the recommencement of community sporting competition.

The executive committee unanimously agreed that under our duty of care to provide a safe environment to our members, the appropriate policy at this point in time is to require that all participants at club events are double vaccinated. This policy is effective immediately including our first race back at METEC at 10:30am this Tuesday (Melbourne Cup Day).

We understand that this is a highly contentious issue and feedback was sought from a significant number of members as part of the process at arriving at the policy. There were many other considerations which included:

- The state governments policy is a minimum standard, and as such does not account for the different risk profiles of various sporting activities and differing participant demographics. What may be sufficient for a group of teenagers playing netball outdoors is not necessarily sufficient for a much older demographic engaging in an activity that generates significant clouds of sweat and exhaled particles.

- The club’s membership is a high risk demographic in terms of age and in many cases other underlying health conditions including being immunocompromised, and as such exposure of our members to covid-19 brings a significantly higher risk than it would to other demographics.

- The presentations of a number of our events are held in hospitality venues which by law require vaccination as a condition of entry. In addition we anticpate that a number of venues including Casey Fields and METEC may adopt compulsory vaccination as a condition of use of the facilities.

- Multiple other cycling clubs are adopting a similar position requiring full vaccination, including Northern Cycling Club.

This policy will be reviewed regularly as more information is provided by various facilities and the state government, with the next review to occur no later than when Victoria reaches 90% double vaccination of the eligible population (expected around 26th November).

We understand that this is a divisive issue unlikely to satisfy all members, however member safety is at the forefront of this decision. Anybody that has particularly strong views against this decision is welcome to speak to a member of the executive committee to discuss further.

Yours sincerely,

Dean Niclasen – President

Rob Lackey – Vice President

Susan Williams – Secretary

Dean Tune – Treasurer

Peter Mackie – Handicapper

Glenn Newnham – Club Captain