IT’S all hands on deck now for those who have been given a rough timetable to start planning for the resumption of their own particular sport, after what seems to have been an eternity of life in lockdown. However, let’s slow down for just a second as there are still so many hurdles to cross before we can get participation levels back to what they were pre-pandemic.

For many young people who have been away from the sporting environment, confidence and motivation will be two areas where they may have issues and that’s something we will need to recognise. However, as a glass half-full person, let’s look at the other side of the coin – young people who will be desperate to see their teammates and get the fun and friendship involved back into their lives.

Also, many families have taken to walking together as part of their daily exercise and this I feel, in many cases, has helped to build stronger family ties, keeping everyone physically and mentally strong; this is one good thing we can take from 2020 and I hope we don’t lose it.

So, let me ask, what can sport offer a family? This is what bodies should be asking themselves. Employers might think about this too, as the more flexibility built into a working day, the more opportunity a family will have to continue these good habits.

Let’s see if there is a way to keep families exercising together and enjoying each others’ company, although I am sure it will require a little “out of the box” thinking. At grassroots level, many sports struggle for coaches, officials and admin support, so let’s take time to encourage mums and dads to get involved and become part of the wider sporting family.

While we appreciate that many young people may face challenges to get back on point academically, I hope parents and teachers still realise and appreciate the benefits that sport and exercise can offer to assist children academically.