'It's game on.' Sports organizations looking forward to athletes' return
Since sports came to a halt earlier this month, athletes have anxiously waited to get back into the game. As Ontario begins lifting restrictions on Jan. 31, coaches are preparing to give their athletes back a sense of normalcy.
Current restrictions have halted sports and recreational facilities to close, but come next week, they will be allowed to open at 50 per cent capacity.
“It's game on,” said Tony Martindale, the executive director of Alliance Hockey. “We’re back to getting kids back onto the ice which is really important.”
In order to get back into the game safely, sports organizations will have to operate with fewer people on and off the court.
For tennis coach Anthony Glavanic, it’s been a frustrating time.
“If I’m at least going to follow the rules I expect a payback, my payback was a shut down so I’m very upset because I did everything right,” he said.
“The tennis court is 78 feet long, basically we’re 100 feet apart. But now we’re moving on and we are going to open again on the 31st.”
Even though the past month has been challenging for Ontarians, many coaches are looking forward to welcoming their athletes back.
When returning to the field, David DeBenedictis, the director of soccer at London TFC academy and FC London said, “It might start off with no spectators, just the players will be allowed and we’re fine with that as the coaching staff.”
“It’s the social development and mental health that they need to get back to and getting back to the field is the first step.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.