Case study 2
GRAHAM Crory (below) runs a sports business for children across Co Down. He said his business, Actisport, disappeared overnight.
“I was one of the first to take the rap. As soon as the schools closed, in fact, days before they stopped as they were bringing in measures to only do necessary activities so they were postponing everything. The last income I had was before St Patrick’s Day.
The plan would have been to work in schools until the last week before Easter then Easter would have been my busiest camps.
I would have had more than 100 children in each camp over Easter in Newcastle, Kilkeel, Ballynahinch and Downpatrick.
The Easter break is a big one for me because it’s the start of the good weather and it’s always very popular. Parents want their kids out being active and having fun.
I am not letting that stop me working as I am making home exercise videos for the kids who would normally enjoy exercise at home, with the help of green screen and my imagination. My plan is to continue making these online videos. This is what I’m good at so this is what I’ll continue to do.
I’ll not make anything out of it unless I become a Youtube sensation. A lot of the kids I visit in schools are sending videos and pictures back to me saying it’s brilliant that I’m making these videos and they’re glad they’re getting to do Actisport at home.
Unfortunately this is a free service I am providing to keep the kids active. As it stands I have no income, but feel like I’m doing the right thing by continuing to provide a chance for kids to enjoy sports.
That’s keeping me going mentally. I’m giving something back even though unfortunately I’m not getting anything for it. For the foreseeable future I will have zero income. I’ve always wanted to coach so no matter what I’m getting for it I’ll continue to do it. Coaching is my passion.
My long-term plan is to aim towards the summer now. I don’t know if anything will come up in between but I’m planning for summer camps and getting back into the swing of things when I can.”