Netball NZ has had to postpone a third fixture in this week's round of ANZ Premiership play, as COVID-19 plagues another domestic competition.
Both Northern Stars games against Mainland Tactix and Southern Steel were already delayed, with the Auckland-based side hit by another wave of Omicrom, after also missing this month's opening round.
Now the Tactix have withdrawn from their scheduled encounter with Northern Mystics - a rematch of last year's finalists - on Sunday, leaving just two games to be played.
The Mystics will face the Steel on Saturday, while Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic take on Central Pulse on Sunday.
While the Government eases the country back towards normality, even as COVID cases remain in the thousands, sports - like other businesses - have had to cope with a constant stage of uncertainty, as players and staff test positive.
"You always think it's disappointing to have a game postponed, but we all understand the landscape and these things are out of our control," says Steel coach Reigna Bloxham. "We really feel for the Stars, who have had to postpone three games, which they are going to have to catch up at some stage.
"It's a tough situation for everyone, but we all knew, coming into this season, to expect the unexpected."
Both Wellington Phoenix and NZ Breakers have had their Australian-based campaigns severely disrupted by COVID postponements, while Super Rugby Pacific was reduced to just one NZ fixture two weeks ago.
