BRANTFORD, Ontario (BVM) — What a ride COVID-19 has been for parents of young athletes in Brantford, Ontario. At the start of March, many found themselves at the hockey arena six nights a week, while also spending several nights training indoors for the upcoming baseball and soccer seasons. Not to mention the countless dance moms and dads and all the early mornings up at swimming practices that some parents and kids endure.

“Both our boys play at a rep level and are only 7 and 12 years old,” Steve Dohnt, a local dad of two young athletes, said. “It seems like a lot for 12 months a year, but the boys love it. We also rounded them out with piano lessons once a week to help support the arts side of their brains as well.”

On March 13, everything came to a screeching halt in Ontario. And yet, there was no screaming and cheering in the stands or sidelines. Kids and parents were blindsided by the lack of hustle and bustle as championship hockey tournament rounds were canceled. Parents were thrust into teaching at home, coaching and providing entertainment to their children.

When rep baseball first started up in July, parents were excited to be in a social circle again, and yet, still felt safe being outside and socially distanced in lawn chairs. Rules had changed slightly, and the necessary cleaning protocols for touching the equipment, touching each other, celebrating and distancing were all put into place.

Teams found themselves now only playing in cohorts of three cities, which appeared to be an advantage for the Brantford Red Sox U8 team, who went 10–0 on the season. While being part of a championship team is exciting, the kids lacked opportunities to learn from their mistakes when winning games by over 20 runs. This made it extra hard on the coaches – a group of qualified dads from the Brantford Minor Baseball Association.

“I love that we are back to see all our friends,” 7-year-old Brodric Dohnt said. “I really like how busy it is again and I like playing but mostly winning.”

As fall has arrived, it is now time for the 2020-21 hockey season. Rep sports are also right back into baseball and soccer tryouts as everything converges into just a few weeks. Combining youth sports with trying to juggle the staggered starts of school is no easy task either.

The days of dinners together have been lost as quickly as the temperatures have changed from summer to fall. But being back to sports has made plenty of youth athletes happy.

“It hurt to be away from our friends, like a sudden blow for months,” 12-year-old Braxton Dohnt said. “It was no longer fun, and all I wanted was to get to see my friends again.”

Hockey started in September and there are many new safety rules, starting with having to line up outside six feet apart and wearing masks. Only one parent is allowed into the arena at a time and there is a maximum limit of 50 people.

Teams and cohorts are assembled, with documents consistently being provided to read and changes tweaked. The kids are now having to show up dressed in full uniform, with all equipment on them before even entering the building.

So far, the weather – which has been cooling down — has allowed for this new normal. But soon, the snow and rain will prevent the parents from dressing their kids in the parking lots.

Car doors are open and truck tailgates are down while parents spread out the equipment and dress their kids, putting on skates while sitting in lawn chairs. It will be a challenge, however, trying to do this in the frigid temps of winter.

But when they are on the ice everything is “normal” — other than fewer physical celebrations together and still no contact allowed. Nonetheless, players are out having fun again with their friends, which creates a smile underneath the masks of parents’ faces.

While social life has been reset for sports families, they are still not allowed to all attend a game at once. The result is a lot of driving and shuffling going on by parents. Parents may have to sit far apart with masks making conversations much more difficult, but it is reassuring that all are in this together.

The rep kids in Brantford have been fortunate to have the opportunity to get back into physical activity and community sports. Hopefully, all youth sports will soon resume, keeping all kids active and safe while doing so. Because sports not only help build healthy bodies, but also healthy minds and friendships that will last a lifetime.