All sports at Sussex University suspended due to COVID outbreaks within teams

All sports trials and training at Sussex Uni have been postponed until further notice due to a series of positive cases of COVID-19 within sports teams.

Earlier this week, the netball team hosted two sets of trials. One female student who attended the second trial had tested positive and as a result the others attending the same trial had to isolate for one day whilst the committee waited on advice from the University.

Sussex University informed the committee that students should only continue isolating if they had symptoms, as a result of this only one student had to continue isolating.

In addition to this, a small outbreak within the men’s rugby team occurred last weekend and members of the men’s hockey team are always awaiting test results.

The Sussex Tab spoke exclusively to Sussex Men’s Rugby president, Jake Casali, he confirmed they currently have three active cases within the team. He stated: “I can confirm we have 3 Covid Cases within our club. All three boys are self-isolating and following the government guidelines. We have been working closely with the Students Union and the RFU to ensure we follow guidelines when it comes to rugby training and socials to make them COVID safe.”

Following on from the coronavirus cases rising in Brighton and the number of players testing positive, the University of Sussex sports department has suspended all sports until further notice.

In an email Luke Terrill, who is the Deputy Head of Sport at Sussex University, confirmed the suspension of all sport training. The email states: “Due to a series of cases in COVID-19 amongst the student sports club population, the university has asked us to temporarily suspend all club activity (training, trials, etc.) with immediate effect.

“The university have asked us to ensure all clubs have a trained COVID-19 officer in place from the club committee. We will be working on this and hope to have activity back up and running asap.”