Big sigh of relief over the return to unrestricted sport

Waka Ama. Gisborne Herald file picture by Paul Rickard

It's been a long time coming. Tairawhiti sportspeople are chomping at the bit to get back on the field after the shutdown prompted by the novel coronavirus.

Under Alert Level 1, which came into effect at 11.59pm on Monday, limits on gathering numbers and physical distancing no longer apply, but contact tracing and hygiene measures continue.

It's been a challenging time for the sporting sector, with significant financial implications expected.

Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti general manager Kylie Turuwhenua-Tapsell said it was a huge relief that codes could start their season without significant restrictions in place.

“The lockdown really highlighted the role that being physically active plays in keeping us mentally well,” she said.

“A return to unrestricted sport and recreation will reinforce the social, whanau and community connections that come with being part of a team or sporting community.

“It will also be important for our sporting sector to understand that whanau will continue to experience other barriers in the coming months.”

Coping with reduced whanau income, finding the balance between available time and game preparation demands, and even just making it fun to play sport again — all these considerations had to be taken into account on the road back.

Horouta Waka Hoe Club coach Kiwi Campbell said the local paddling community was excited about the move to Level 1 and being able to move back to the norm of paddling pre-Covid.

“The ability to mix and mingle freely embodies the culture of our sport,” she said.

“However, we must continue to stay vigilant around hygiene.”

Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union chief executive Josh Willoughby said rugby had planned for a lot of scenarios.

“Having the best-case one come out on top was just the icing on the cake for a return to community rugby,” he said.

“Our clubs have been awesome, each completing a return-to-play health and safety plan that's been signed off by the District Council in preparation for playing under Alert Level 2.

“These aren't required under Alert Level 1 but with these plans ready there should be no disruption should we return to Level 2.”

Willoughby was relieved to hear limits on gathering numbers no longer applied. This took a huge amount of pressure off some of the rugby clubs whose grounds were open spaces where it would have been difficult to track the number of people going in and out.

Gisborne Netball Centre manager Alissa Hall said they were rapt with the timing to move to Level 1.

“The logistics of co-ordinating everyone at Victoria Domain were looking to be tricky, and we were most likely going to have to discourage spectators as much as possible,” she said.

“Under Level 1 this is not a concern, and we are looking forward to welcoming our netball community and supporters back.”

• Competitions for each sport in the region will be starting over the next few weeks.

• Players and supporters should check The Gisborne Herald for draws, and the social media pages of clubs and regional sports organisations for more information.