'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
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE @ 1:15 PT B.C. premier to give announcement related to public drug use
B.C.'s premier is scheduled to give an update Friday about public drug use in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.