Sports clubs are ready for action
Big kick off for grassroots teams
SPORTS CLUBS across Calderdale have welcomed the chance to resume training and competing when Covid restrictions are eased on March 29.
As part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s road map out of lockdown, organised adult and children’s sport will be permitted from the end of the month, allowing grassroots sport for juniors and older ages to restart.
Blackley Cricket Club chairman Lance Greenwood says the the club’s four open age teams will be practicing soon after restrictions are lifted.
“We start the day after, that’ll be our first outdoor practice since mid-September,” he said. “Normally we have ten-week sessions pre-season but they had to be disbanded because of Covid, so we’ve had absolutely no practice and we start the season on April 17.
“We’ll probably get two or three outdoor sessions in before the season starts. It’s been awful, this third lockdown has been a real grind, so just to be able to get outside and play cricket again will be absolutely fantastic, and to be able to have a chat because we’ve just been stuck inside not talking to anybody. Everybody’s fine, we’re just looking forward to starting cricket again.”
Marie Palmer, from Halifax Rounders Club, says their 40 plus members are also excited about resuming training.
“We’re starting up again on March 30, and we’re looking forward to it so much, it’s been a long time coming,” she said. “We played in-between so we were still allowed to play in the second lockdown, but not this recent one.
“I think most people are just looking forward to seeing everybody, I think a lot of our ladies see it as a bit of an escape from every day home life, and a bit of exercise as well.”
Paul Sutcliffe, chairman of Heath Rugby Union Club, said: “It’s had a massive impact, not just on sport but it’s a mental health thing as well, getting everybody back together again and seeing all the lads.
“We’re looking to start training on March 30, open age, and then the juniors will follow suit on Sunday mornings. It’s all up in the air what the lads can do, can they shower or stuff like that, so we’re waiting to hear about that side of it. It’s not all about the rugby, they want to have a beer afterwards and socialise, but we won’t be open as a club until May 17 so a lot of it will be outside to start with until we can get up and running again. We’ve been doing a lot of stuff over Zoom, a bit of fundraising and different challenges. It’s a massive part of their lives, we’ve got some stalwarts down here and built up a very good set-up. They’re all chomping at the bit.”
Daniel Goacher is one of the coaches at Brighouse Juniors, who are hoping training will resume next week or the week after.
It’s had a massive impact, not just on sport but it’s a mental health thing as well Paul Sutcliffe, Heath RUFC chairman
“We’re still waiting on league approval,” he said. “They’ve said you can get back to training and playing on the 29th but there’s still a bit of uncertainty around it. We’re lucky to have our own 3G facility but there’ll be some clubs that can’t get hold of facilities.”
Around 400 children play across all the club’s age group teams, from the ages of four to 17.
“I’m involved with two under 11s girls teams and I’ve been trying to encourage them throughout the lockdowns to get out and practice, but not just football, just to get out walking and exercising, obviously following the guidelines,” said Daniel.
“There’s a lot of kids desperate to get back playing but having so long not playing, there’ll be some that might struggle to get back into it because they’ve lost a bit of interest. The kids’ parents have all been very positive about getting back.
“Out of the 30 girls I’d probably expect 90 per cent back playing again in the first week.”
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