We can’t lose a generation of sporty kids

I DON’T believe the full impact of coronavirus on sport and society as a whole is going to be truly understood for some years.

Of course, we have the immediately measurable facts – such as lost money, lost jobs and, most importantly, lost lives.

But beneath that, I believe other issues will be more subtle and not truly realised for some time.

The effect on children and young people not being able to take part in grassroots sport is definitely y one of those things.

The new Covid regulations have once again stopped all grassroots sport and I do worry about the consequences that will have on the younger generations.

It is at this level when you truly understand that sport isn’t just about winning and losing.

Sport is vital to help children grow as people, as they meet friends, learn to work as a team, focus on an outcome and, of course, develop physically.

I just have to look at myself as proof of this. As a kid, sport gave me so much – that outlet to find confidence, have fun and form really important friendships.

Sport pulls kids together and creates interaction that few other things can do.

Shy children can find their place and voice within sport, for example.

So how would things look like for my former self as a kid now? I would be back and forth from school each day, with no sport going on in the evenings or weekends.

With winter upon us, I would be drawn to the TV and computer games. Staring at a screen (inset), I would be more isolated than ever and all those things that sport gave to my development would be stunted.

It genuinely makes me sad to think of that.

Dealing with Covid has required sacrifices from all of us and I think most people understand that – and those sacrifices look set to continue for some time now.

I just ju don’t want an anyone to u underestimate how difficult the next few months are g going to be for c children not able to g go out and play sport.

The pace at which we can get them back out there is a huge priority for me, otherwise we are going to have kids with crucial months of their development halted.

And how would we see that impact? Well, not for some time. But unless we work extremely hard post-covid to get children active, then we could have a generation lacking many of the wonderful attributes that sport can give you.

The government has already stated how vital it is that we keep society active and healthy.

That applies to young people as much as anyone.

So I would urge the government to hold true to that priority right now in the middle of the pandemic.

And, importantly, when we are beyond it.

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