While the pandemic may have called a time out on local team sports, now that the province is in Step 2, many Collingwood sports organizations are ready, once again, to play ball.
As of June 30, Ontario moved into Step 2 of its Roadmap to Reopening coming out of the pandemic. As part of Step 2, outdoor recreation amenities are open including soccer pitches, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, pickleball courts and skate parks. Outdoor sports games, leagues and events are now permitted at 25 per cent capacity.
With team sports across Collingwood currently kicking off fresh seasons, the excitement in the players is tangible.
“They’re so excited to be playing and out with their friends,” said Sean Rennie, president of the Georgian Bay Titans Rugby Club. “I coach the U16 and U18 groups and they’re out there laughing and smiling. They love being out there. Their parents are loving it too because they’re not on screens.”
“It feels great to be back. I missed it,” he said.
In Collingwood, all outdoor recreation amenities are now open. Indoor recreation facilities remain closed until the province moves into Step 3 starting July 16.
Michelle Findlay, manager of community recreation with the town, said the town faced many challenges related to reopening.
“The continuous pivot after announcements were probably the most challenging as the government would give an opening date but would release the regulations governing those openings after the fact,” Findlay told CollingwoodToday.ca. “The turn-around time for all affected was not enough to clearly plan. So while we were able to open on a certain date, there was still preparations, inspections, and staff recalls that needed to take place until we could truly open facilities.”
“Navigating the messaging to the public around what was allowed or not allowed proved to be difficult as well,” she said.
Overall, Findlay said the town is pleased to see outdoor spaces open up again.
“It certainly does feel good to see people utilizing our outdoor spaces again and we look forward to when they can utilize our indoor facilities,” she said.
The past 17 months has been difficult on sports organizations, with many closing up completely until now.
“It’s been really tough, to be honest,” said Rennie. “I’m also a teacher at a public school and I teach a lot of sports there too. The kids need an outlet badly and they just haven’t had that.”
Last year, the club didn’t open at all due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Typically, the club runs flag rugby up to their U10 class, while U12 is modified contact and U14 and up is full contact. Due to COVID-19 protocols this year, all age groups will be playing flag rugby only.
“This year, we have a lot more girls playing, which is fantastic,” he said. “We started last week with one practice each for all of the ages ranges. This week we’re doing two practices a week.”
Flag rugby games will be starting with Barrie and Owen Sound teams in two weeks.
Rennie said every player must do a 10-question health attestation before stepping on the field.
“If you don’t do it, you’re not allowed on the pitch. We’re very serious about that, and following all the rules,” said Rennie.
Rennie said new players can be registered anytime throughout the season. He said while the league is doing flag rugby now, as more opens up throughout the summer they may be able to open up to modified contact or full contact as the season goes on. An adult flag rugby component was also added this year on Sunday nights.
“It’s exciting. Our numbers are really good now,” said Rennie.
For more information on Georgian Bay Titans Rugby Club, click here.
Over on the soccer fields, Michael Cullip, president of Collingwood United Soccer Club, said programming is starting next week and their registration is mostly full up with wait lists. The club has house league teams starting at U3 up to U18 as well as adult leagues. Travel teams are on pause for this year.
“There is quite the interest in soccer this year. Everyone is eager to get outside,” he said. “It’s a nice problem to have – that the teams are full.”
Cullip says there have been challenges in getting the league organized this year.
“I think the best we can ask for is patience. It was only last week we were officially given the green light on what we would be able to provide recognizing new announcements are coming out of the province and the requirements coming out of the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit,” said Cullip.
“We’ve been scrambling a bit. But let’s go out and celebrate and see these kids have some fun again.”
For more information on the Collingwood United Soccer Club, click here.
