Being a fan in the stands during a pandemic

Scarlett Hurst

Key Points:

• Fans are allowed back into stadiums to watch sporting events after COVID-19 restrictions were eased
• COVID-19 scare in Newcastle has resulted in venues needing a full clean
• There are many changes for those attending matches such as seating arrangements and the ability to move around the venue

Sporting fans have finally been granted access to go and support their favourite professional sporting teams from the stands as COVID19 restrictions started to ease. However, Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium was thrown into the spotlight after the news broke that one spectator who attended the Newcastle Jets football match had tested positive to the virus. The sporting and local Hunter community held their breath to wait and see what the repercussions of this would be and if it would mean spectators would be forced out of venues all over again.

The Hunter stadium was forced to undergo a full clean to comply with COVID safe protocols before opening the gates again to the public after the case was traced back to the sporting match. And although there were 2,570 people at the A-League match, there have been no other reports of cases being linked to the Newcastle Jets match. This is largely due to the safety measures that were and are still in place for all fans attending sporting matches in New South Wales.

Newcastle local Bryan Lacey, speaks of his experience of attending matches both before and after this incident, explaining what measures stadiums are going to help keep everyone safe. Bryan has been a loyal Newcastle Knights fan for over twenty years and believes that sporting facilities are doing everything right in trying to keep everyone safe.

“I felt very safe. They have been handing out masks at the entry, making people distance from each other and also staggering the times that people can arrive at the stadium”

Bryan Lacey

There are however some significant changes in the ‘freedoms’ spectators have during matches. Fans are not allowed to roam around at any time of the game or congregate in any capacity, with the main goal for spectators to remain in their seats. This meant that the breezeways are now almost a ghost town during half time. The food and drink outlets that are normally bursting with people are lucky to have a handful of customers at a time.  

“There were announcements made that requested that no one stand up at any time and to stay in your seats unless for an emergency. They also encouraged people to not leave their seats at half time to avoid potential crowding”

Bryan Lacey

Bryan also did his own bit to ensure that both him and others around him stayed as safe as possible whilst watching the match.

“I brought and wore my own mask all night, as well as brought some sanitiser to regularly use”

Bryan Lacey

Overall, fans like Bryan are just overjoyed to be back in the stands supporting their team and are happy to comply with any rules or restrictions that allow them to do so.

“Although the atmosphere is subdued due to the smaller crowd numbers, it’s just great to be able to go and watch and support the players like we have for so many years”

Bryan Lacey

All sports lovers are just hoping that NSW will not be forced back into another lockdown, leaving fans having to watch from their couch instead of right by the pitch.