As the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on our physical and mental wellbeing over the past year, seeing a small return to some normality has been a huge relief for many. Here at Active Essex, we have been very excited to see people in our community getting back to their sporting passions over the past few weeks. We know that a game of rugby with friends or a weekly run with a running group has been a lifeline for people in the past, but sadly, due to restrictions, an unattainable one in these times.
We also know that around 50% of adults have reservations about getting back to their favourite physical activities. It’s understandable that there are concerns for personal safety and the safety of family and children driving this, not knowing how activities will play out in a safe and secure way. Members of our sporting communities have shared with us their experiences of returning to play, in a bid to help others to feel confident in joining them.
As with all areas of life over the past year, COVID-19 security measures have rightly reigned supreme in efforts to return to play. Making sure that others feel safe has been key for Rachel Garfirth of Southend Hockey Club. She said: “We’ve had to make sure that our return to play enabled us to play the sport we love but in the safest possible way. To make sure that we’re doing the right thing by our members, we asked for feedback from all areas of our clubs before arranging our sessions.”
Putting safety first has encouraged a great turnout for Southend HC and guidelines will be under constant revision. Rachel added: “The numbers seen at our first return to play sessions have been high with a total of 100 adults and 60 youths (ages 5-16) attending. Those asked said that they felt safe playing hockey with the COVID-19 guidelines the club have in place. With hopes for local friendlies over the coming summer period, the club will amend their guidelines to suit the nature of both interaction with other clubs as well as the ever changing COVID-19 situation.”
Jean Catley, Member of Rayleigh Lawn Tennis Club, told us that social distancing has been easy on the court. She said: “It was really enjoyable to be meeting friends and playing again on March 29th. The weather was perfect, the courts looked great and were all being used, and it was fun hitting a ball again! We chatted at change of ends as usual but all socially distanced of course – which is easy to do outdoors on a tennis court.”
Timed sessions at the tennis courts have ensured that everyone can return to play safely. Jean said: “We had booked a court and could only play for 90 minutes to allow time for others to play too. It was good to get out there again and feel like we were getting back to normal.”
The guys at Brownes Boot Camp in Leigh on Sea have been excited to see old and new members return in a safe way. They said: “We’ve found the first few weeks back a great success! Our members have been happy to come back and train together and we’ve welcomed lots of new members along to our sessions. We are lucky to have a very large field in which we train, so social distancing is an easy thing to do. Our members have felt safe and happy in an outdoor environment. All of our equipment is sanitised and we maintain good social distancing. To all of our members, the boot camp is an important opportunity to exercise in a group.”
Restrictions and guidelines have meant that rugby is currently looking a bit different. Training can still go ahead but matches for the contact sport are still on hold given the risk of transmission. Changing rooms and clubhouse facilities are currently out of action causing a strain on finances for some clubs, however, grants are available to help keep things afloat.
Basildon Rugby Club’s Coaching Coordinator, Dave ‘Dusty’ Hare, said: “We’ve secured approximately £6.5k in Sport England Small Grants funding for improvements to help make the return to play easier. This is being done by creating some more friendly outside space for parents and players to use while changing or waiting for training sessions.”
Given that time away from the sport has opened up time for other hobbies, it’s been a worry that some players might not return. Dusty said: “It’s been tough as some players and even coaches have found other pastimes during lockdown and given up rugby in favour of those other activities. There have also been new players turning up recently who have wanted to ‘give it a go ’for a while and decided now is the time as they’re finally allowed to play sport outside. On balance we have more or less maintained player numbers overall, although some age groups have fared better than others.”
Starting up a new sport in restricted circumstances hasn’t been all fun and games for some at Dusty’s club. He said: “There is an overall keenness to be able to get back to playing ‘proper ’rugby. As there are no matches allowed at present, other than modified limited contact versions, the players can’t fully express new knowledge and techniques yet, which is frustrating.”
Not to be beaten by the current state of play, Dusty is looking forward to the future. He added: “A lot of important things still can’t be done yet. We have remembrance activities for the members we have lost to COVID. We have all the chin-wagging, back slapping and mucking about that we want to be able to do with our friends that can’t take place yet. But we are planning BIG for when we can. Roll on summer!”
Barry Mason, Youth Chairman of the Harwich and Dovercourt Rugby Club, is so pleased to see young budding rugby players enjoying themselves on the pitch again. He said: “Our return to play started with a youth fitness session (secondary school age children), planned for an hour but overrun by 30mins as they didn’t want to stop. I’m sure they all felt sore on Friday! It was followed by an Easter Themed return for all our Minis and Youth, where it seemed all the players and parents were very glad to be back.”
Like Dusty, Barry is also looking forward to the summer season. He said: “We’re very pleased to see our numbers have remained consistent throughout each return, it’s lower than the previous season but we’re still attracting new players. Everyone seems comfortable with our COVID rules and remain socially distanced, so we are pleased to be back and looking forward to a summer of rugby too, with adjusted rules.”
Although met with big challenges and changes necessary to the return of sport, the general feeling from our community members is a positive one – for both the co-ordinators and for those who are getting active with them. Sam Holmes, Manager and founder of the Run Fit Club in Basildon, said: “Our return to activities has been awesome. It’s been brilliant to see those big smiles again and hear that familiar laughter out on our group runs. We’ve all struggled through this lockdown but coming back together as a team has lifted our spirits and our motivational mojo’s.”
Leader and Welfare Manager at the Run Fit Club, Kate, added: “It has been a brilliant few weeks being back together and doing what we all love doing best which is to walk, run, laugh and support each other in our own journeys! It’s been so lovely seeing so many familiar faces and some new smiling faces as well! For some runners, the nerves kicked back in but once out with the team it was like the old days again.”
Bowls season is yet to start and will commence on the 1st of May. Lynn Martin, Ladies Captain at Billericay Bowls Club encourages anyone looking for a fun, socially distanced sport to come and join them. Lynn said: “Bowls is a naturally socially-distanced, non-contact activity which plays a key role in the mental and physical health of players. It can be enjoyed by all, both able bodied or with disabilities and we are keen to recruit new members. To this aim, we are holding a free open day on Sunday May 30th from 10am-3pm which you are more than welcome to attend.”
Whenever you feel ready to enjoy sport and physical activities, clubs, groups and facilities across Essex are ready to help ease you back into your routine and to keep you feeling motivated. Check out our website and social media feeds for updates and news on opportunities near you.
