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Photo from the Grande Prairie Regional Sport Connection Facebook page.
By Curtis Galbraith
COVID-19

COVID-19 impacting kids and sports groups

Jan 23, 2021 | 7:00 AM

Some sports officials are worried how kids not being involved in sports during the pandemic is affecting their well-being.

Canadian and American surveys have found more problems like anxiety, depression, and less socializing.

Grande Prairie Regional Sport Connection executive director Karna Germsheid says organizations, volunteers, and coaches have worries as well.

“They’re concerned about maybe those four kids on their team that, if they’re not engaged in sport, have potential to fall into trouble or hard times because they don’t have a safe place to be at home. There are a lot of coaches that come forward, and athletes, that said I don’t feel connected anymore.”

Germsheid says other effects of no sports for kids during the pandemic is sleep changes and changes to eating habits.

She adds the pandemic has been hard on sports groups as well.

That includes a decrease in memberships. She says there are several reasons for this.

“People need to feel safe to engage, so there are different risk tolerances. Number two, when our organizations open up, because of the guidelines, they’re limited in how much they can offer. Number three, when our organizations open up, there is (a smaller) amount of space available for them, so they’re all competing for the same space, so they’re able to play or practice less so than they ever did before.”

Germsheid says a lot of these organizations are small businesses that are feeling the same COVID impacts as other operations.

She adds these businesses and non-profits do not qualify for government help.

Germsheid says organizations will do better if they make sure potential users know what safety protocols are in place.

She added another thing is families being priced out of sports because of the pandemic and its impact on the economy.

She thinks many organizations are going to have to look at increasing fees to help them. Sponsorships are also an issue because of the struggles for businesses. Many of these groups have also been unable to fundraise since the pandemic hit.

Germsheid says some surveys have also found parents will have their kids enrolled in one sport, rather than two or three as there is less pressure and family schedules are easier to manage.

Germsheid mentions there are still coaches coaching, athletes engaging with their coaches, and volunteers making sure people can return to play safely.

by Curtis Galbraith