SPORTING KIDS OUT IN COLD
AS SPORTING clubs across the Gold Coast scrabble to restart training amid Stage 2 coronavirus restrictions, Kirsty Germon’s Ready Steady Go Kids franchise faces an uncertain future.
The Pacific Pines business owner stopped providing multi-sports classes to children aged from 18 months to six years in March because of social distancing restrictions. But opening under Stage 2 restrictions isn’t a viable option because all the venues she hires for classes, including community centres and a school, are closed or not offering hire for her business.
She said outdoor sessions with limited numbers of children 1.5m apart was not an option because most families preferred indoor sessions.
“We usually cap our classes at 12 children and each child has at least one or two caregivers with them, plus a sibling at times. It would not be a viable financial option for me at the moment.”
Strict social distancing requirements Mrs Germon must adhere to are not required at preschool, primary or high schools, with thousands of children playing in close contact throughout their six or so hours together.
Mrs Germon took over Ready Steady Go Kids, Gold Coast North and Central in 2014. Before COVID-19 she had 120 families plus others that took part.
She said even opening under Stage 3 restrictions would be incredibly burdensome. “They love high fives, stickers and stamps and being shown how to hold equipment and not being able to do this will really change the atmosphere of the classes,” she said.
“Only having one parent attend the class, with no siblings allowed, may mean that many of my parents may not be able to enrol their children for the term. Also, many grandparents attend to watch the classes as well and it will be a real shame for them not to be able to attend as they love it. Having to build in extra time between classes for cleaning will also increase my hire costs and staff costs.”
Mrs Germon said she may have to redesign her entire business depending on the length of restrictions.