It was one of Maitland’s quietest weekends on the sporting front as the city continues to deal with the devastation caused by the Hunter super storm.
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Sport has been the last thing on the minds of many residents, who were still negotiating blackouts, traffic chaos and isolation almost a week on from the tumultuous event.
No official sporting events took place in the Maitland area on Saturday or Sunday and most teams participating in Hunter competitions were simply washed out because of flooding and damage to venues.
The Maitland Mustangs were forced to postpone their Anzac Day clash with arch rivals the Newcastle Hunters because of roof leaks onto the main court and flooding of the surrounds at Maitland Federation Centre.
This means the Mustangs will defend the Kibble-Mallon Cup later in the Waratah Basketball League season with Basketball NSW to set an alternate date for the highly anticipated fixture.
The Maitland Rams also had the weekend off after their transferred Hunter Coast Premier Hockey League encounter with University did not go ahead.
University turned down the invitation to play at Newcastle International Hockey Centre yesterday after the match had been moved from Maitland Park.
The Rams were supposed to host the fixture, but damage to the synthetic field at Maitland Hockey Centre prompted the change of venue.
The Newcastle and District Hockey Association has yet to set an alternative date.
The Northern NSW National Premier League fixture featuring the Weston Bears and South Cardiff Gunners at Ulinga Oval yesterday was washed out.
Initially there were hopes the football match would go ahead as planned, but further rain on Saturday night meant it had to be cancelled.
An alternative date for this game and the other three postponed on the weekend, including the Maitland Magpies against the Newcastle Jets Youth at Cooks Square Park, will be allocated in the near future.
Broadmeadow Magic defeated the Edgeworth Eagles 4-1 at Jack McLaughlin Oval on Friday night in one of, if not, the only top grade sporting match to go ahead on the weekend.
Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union officials will need to organise alternate dates for all third round fixtures, which included the Maitland Blacks and the Singleton Bulls at Rugby Park on Friday night, with a blanket wash-out called early last week.
Maitland Triathlon Club decided to cancel their final race of the season yesterday because Maitland Aquatic Centre was unfit for use.
Newcastle Rugby League was not be affected on the weekend with the first grade competition already granted the bye to coincide with Anzac centenary commemorations.
Maitland Netball Association was to begin this Saturday, but courts at Maitland Park were completely covered in water on Tuesday.
Many other clubs and associations will need to make assessments on venues this week as the clean up continues.
Funding is available from the state government to help affected volunteer sporting groups in natural disaster areas.
