A New Zealand team, competing in the Australian Basketball League, terminated the contract of its player Ty Webster, today, Monday, after the player refused to receive an anti-Coronavirus vaccine before the start of the new season.
“I fully support every player’s freedom to be vaccinated or not,” Matt Walsh, owner of Australian Breakers Club, said in a press release.
Walsh added: “The club will leave the door open for Ty, but unfortunately we are living in exceptional circumstances, and without the vaccination he will not be able to travel freely and therefore will not be able to play during the current season.”
Due to travel restrictions in place to prevent infection with the virus, the club spent most of last season on Australian soil and the team is expected to reside in Australia at least at the beginning of the 2021-2022 season, so Webster’s decision not to receive the vaccination will complicate the team’s travel arrangements.
Last season, Webster, a player in the New Zealand national team, made a remarkable performance in the Australian League with his team, and extended his contract with him for two additional years last July, as he previously played in the American Universities League.
The new Australian Basketball League season is scheduled to start on November 18.