With the state of uncertainty that has evolved the last couple of months as countries locked down to flatten the curve and now many looking at easing up physical distancing to shift to phase II of the COVID19 era, I for one can say I am crossing my fingers that we do so in a manner that will ensure that we all continue to stay safe.

In the last few weeks, I have had conversations with various sports leaders, coaches, parents, players as well as various small business owners who are looking forward to returning but the big question we all keep asking ourselves is what will that in fact be?

If the recent outbreak that happened in South Korea where a man who was positive for COVID19 has any indication of a worst-case scenario leading to infecting 40 others while going to night clubs is potentially going to happen, I continue to caution everyone to adhere to all of the recommendations from health authorities to ensure that EVERYONE is safe when we start returning back to sporting activities.

I also must confess, I came across an article that shared the anecdote it is going to be like the Wild West when we do so, as so many people have been cooped up at home for many weeks that ANY opportunity will one people will be chasing.

This is what I do know .. as I have shared with students who we have sponsored for years, Haste Makes Waste.

In lieu of diving into the pool, we need to all tip our toes to test the waters so to speak before entering phase II, IV and beyond.

Here are just a few of the examples who have returned to play and safety measures they have implemented;

#1 – Mother’s Day St. Louis Tournament for 54 Youth Baseball teams May 8-10^th, 2020

COVID19 Safety Measures per the Tournament Coordinator Rob Worstenholm

• Players and Coaches to adhere to physical distancing by only having 3 people in the dugout
• Umpire standing 6’ behind the pitcher
• High-Fives, Fist Pumps, Hand-Shaking Banned (in lieu tipping their hats)
• Balls were cleaned every half-inning
• Dugouts cleaned after every game
• Spectators had to sit in the outfield (bring their own chairs)

This was against recommendations of Missouri Health Official, Lynelle Phillips who shared “To hold a huge baseball tournament, even the most optimistic of us have to cringe at that” and Morstenholm said 50% of parents were for hosting the tournament vs. other thought it was too risky to do so.  Only time will tell if any COVID cases came out of the 1000+ players, parents, coaches, officials that participated.  If none, then it sets the bar for others to follow, if any, it could push youth sports back for quite sometime to ensure we flatten the curve.

 

 

2. Burnaby Winter Club Renting Ice for small groups – May 5th

Within minutes of announcing they would be re-opening over a hundred parents reached out to BWC’s registrar but shared that the ice rentals that had traditionally been for spring hockey teams, games and potentially tournaments would be different than Pre Covid era

This means no team practices, only private lessons for skills development with 4 players on the ice and a skills instructor

Other safety measures to include;

• Players must arrive at the rink in full gear (even when they were in full operation I know first hand this may be more beneficial due to the smaller size of the dressing rooms vs. newer facilities) as dressing rooms would be closed
• Arrive no earlier than 15 minutes prior to ice time (no warming up in the parking lot permitted)
• One way traffic flow both entering and out of the building

#3 – MLS (Soccer) / European Premiere (Football) Teams commence practicing in anticipation of playing games

Safety measures include;

• Adhering to Physical Distancing (minimum 6′ / 2 metres)
• All Players, coaches and support staff are wearing masks
• Regular Handwashing for 20 seconds
• All equipment and practice areas will be sanitized on a regular basis
• Players are also  taking pay cuts in anticipation of shortened seasons
• League games will be played in empty stadiums live-streamed by sports media
• MLS league games will be on a neutral site, Disney World, where all players/coaches will be isolated in hotels

Other professional sports are also ramping up in anticipation of seasons continuing (NHL/NBA) or starting up (MLB)

• NBA teams have been given the green light to practice but continuing to adhere to safety measures
• Hosting games in a neutral site where all players/coaches would be quarantined in hotels and playing games in empty arena’s
• MLB continues to look at a shortened season when they are able to Play Ball based on what the required safety measures will be
• NFL – already hosted their virtual draft and anticipating starting league play as normal after labor day (albeit may be empty stadiums)

All of which so they can at least start providing live games on TV, one their top revenue generators but by no means will that offset loss in merchandise, concession, and ticket revenue

What then is going to happen with other community youth sports organizations either trying to salvage some semblance of a spring season or those with traditional fall sports programming (Ice Hockey, Field Lacrosse, Volleyball, Football, Basketball, and Soccer in certain provinces as well as others)

Each one I have talked they all say the same thing, they are waiting for direction from health authorities and their governing bodies to advise what the next phase will be.

All, including yours truly, are anxious to return back to play, but until a vaccine is developed and the majority of the population has been exposed to, tested positive and recovered from the novel coronavirus we are still going to be in this for the long term.

Just as I have been saying when it comes to athletic development, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, before we take the deep plunge to return to play I truly hope that we slowly tip our toe in the water and ease back into it. The other upside to the Global Sports Time Out is it has given us all time to reflect what truly is important and many kids have had the opportunity to sample various other athletic skills they may not have had based on crazy organized sports schedules they had.  The other big positive, they have experienced what “free play” is again, no coaches or officials telling them what to do, they just played for the sake of playing.

The last thing we need is to regress backward like South Korea is doing now as a result of easing up their physical distancing requirements way too early.

Nothing would please me more when we do see teams competing For The of The Game again but until we do, let’s do everything, and then some that medical practitioners advise to do to ensure that not only participants but all other stakeholders stay safe.