PMBA president Andy Caltabiano and Seaside Classic organiser John Minihan announced the decision to cancel this year's carnival on August 13, out of respect for the Port Macquarie community.

The event is normally held on the first weekend of November and is considered the largest odd age, junior basketball carnival on the North Coast.

It gathers nearly 100 teams for games at nine courts across three venues including more than 3000 people from Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle, Taree and Coffs Harbour.

Mr Minihan said holding the competition wasn't worth the risk of spreading the coronavirus pandemic among visiting and local teams.

"We have held off as long as we can but have decided it's just not worth the risk. All it takes is one kid or parent attending without symptoms, who would have severe consequences on the community of Port Macquarie and basketball," he said.

"Half the teams have come from Sydney and Newcastle in previous years which are obviously the hot spots. A month ago it wasn't an issue but now we're better off being smart and cautious at the moment.

"It's obviously a contact sport in a small environment and we have to do the right thing by Port Macquarie and the wider basketball community."

The event also generates around $10,000 as a fundraiser for the PMBA to subsidise local activities.

Mr Caltabiano said local basketball competitions have recommenced under strict Basketball NSW biosecurity guidelines and are going well.

Due to the COVID disaster that has unfolded in Victoria and spread into NSW and the other states, PMBA considered the implications of holding this event was just too big a risk for the Port Macquarie community, he said.

READ MORE: Nine games every hour held at the Seaside Classic basketball tournament in Port Macquarie

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