Organized Sports Programs Remain Hopeful Play Will Resume

There is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding organized sports activities in Greater Moncton due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many teams are awaiting word from the provincial government for activities to resume.

President of the Greater Moncton Football Association Dennis Ronan says they’re prepared to make whatever changes necessary to get the players out onto the field.

“To this point, we are supporting provincial guidelines, and Football New Brunswick and Football Canada. Our Board and our Player Development Committee have been meeting each week, and we are planning. We want to be ready when we are given permission by the provincial government to begin play,” Ronan says.

At this time last year, the GMFA Spring Development program was already underway. Ronan says it hasn’t been cancelled yet, but they’ve pushed the starting date to later this month. He says they are prepared to make whatever changes necessary to ensure the health and safety of the players during this pandemic.

One of the advantages the game of football has, is a large field.

Ronan says, “We can have a modified program, have one coach for every five kids and proper social distancing, even ten yards apart. We can teach fundamentals, athleticism, skills, philosophy, there’s lots we can do. I don’t really want to cancel anything until I have to. We’ll push it back, push it back, modify. For now, because we can’t be out on the field, I tell the kids, get outside, grab a football, a baseball or a soccer ball. Just go out and play something.”

They are also hoping to hold their Senior Bowl again this year, that is scheduled for June.

“It’s an opportunity for grade 12 football players from across the province to get together and have a fun and light spirited game. These students are out of school and they won’t have a graduation. This would be an excellent activity. It has been pushed back to June 17th,” Ronan says.

They’re also hoping to run their Stewart Fraser Camp in July, and their Fall Season would normally get underway in late August.

“I do support what the province is doing, and I applaud their actions because we are really leading the country in compliance. But kids are facing their challenges because they need their physical activity and social interaction, and that’s our biggest concern. We don’t want them to become completely sedentary and screentime to be the new normal when we get out of this.”

Ronan says he is eager to get them back out onto the field and moving again.