In a queue of sporting enthusiasts awaiting a chance to resume indoor activities after a lengthy period of isolation are squash, badminton, table tennis, calisthenics, gymnastics and basketball players.
Horsham Squash Club president Chris Warrick, while acknowledging an understanding for restrictions, admitted the wait and latest announcements had been frustrating.
“It’s about doing the right thing by the community, we understand that,” he said.
“If we could simply get back and practice it would be fantastic, not only for the club but also the general public.
“With squash in particular, we only ever have two people on the court and in isolation at one time. I would have thought the chance of sharing infection, unlike in larger groups, would be very low. But all we can do is look forward to getting back into it when we can.
“Yes, the wait has been long but for us but the recovery will be quick. We have good flexibility and can run our club without spectators and gate-takings.
“When we think we’re hard done by we need only look around to realise we’re really not that badly off.”
Mr Warrick said being unable to regularly take part in sport had a broad impact on community health.
“There is the importance of fitness for a start, but for us it is also the sense of community and socialising that goes with most sport. And that has been severely lacking,” he said.
Horsham Table Tennis Association vice-president Jeff Pekin said his organisation’s members were ‘overjoyed’ in having greater clarity about when they could resume their sport.
“It will be great to be able to get sport up and running for any association, indoors or outdoors, especially for everyone’s mental health,” he said.
The entire May 27, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
The entire May 27, 2020 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!
