Post Covid woes

I think that we can all agree that this post-Covid world is significantly different with profound impairments effected on the most vulnerable of youth thanks in part to the lack of development opportunities at pivotal periods in their mental and social growth. While I'm no expert in child development, nor do I wish to be seen as such, I do have 30+ years of interaction with kids ranging from age 6 (Gr 1) to 19 (Gr 12 Victory lappers). In fact, the only grade I don't have extensive experience with is age 9 (Gr 4), other than the coaching I've done.

Covid's impact was front and center a little while ago when I was refereeing the Intermediate Girls County Basketball championships up in Midland. Although I had also refereed a few of the regional tournaments, and it was not a surprise that a few of the schools competing in them displayed profoundly weak skill progression and game sense abilities, I reasoned that were a school to earn a spot at the county championships, it would be expected that a certain level of ability would be on display.

Sadly, not so much in general, or at least the games I was involved in, and that's no shot at their kids or coaches.

If you've been around school athletics in Simcoe County, you'll be well aware that some elementary schools have volunteer coaches that get the job done with regularity. When you look at the schools involved in any county championship, regardless of the year, it would raise eyebrows if familiar names weren't on the draw sheet. Sure, there's always the potential for a small blip of athletes to go through any one school, spurring that school's success rate for the season, but even if they were playing in mismatched tees, anyone with experience in this area would immediately recognize the skills, game sense, team work, and game strategy directly linked to a handful of the area's competent coaches.

Sadly, despite their effort and influence, the overall level that was on display in front of me was significantly lower than I would have expected, and I feel strongly that can be attributed to the 2 year shut down thanks to the anti-Covid effort. 

Basketball is a game that requires significant skill development to be able to play at a speed that would be considered proficient. The act of dribbling a ball while looking up the court PLUS making appropriate decisions with corresponding actions is not a natural ability. While any half-way coordinated individual can occasionally have movements and strength line up to be able to propel the ball through the air and successfully through that orange ring, to youngsters do it with regularity, under duress, in an exhausted state, with elevated expectations of a county championship is a skillset that requires time and perseverance. Whether it was a 2 year delay to the start of a player's basketball journey, or a pause on the already initiated preliminary development, it goes without saying that the time lost has a significant impact on today's execution.

What was on display before me, even by those traditionally strong programs, was indicative of younger athlete development in a pre-Covid world, resulting in this old fart being prompted to intervene with whistle tweets of increased regularity for violations and foul play. IMHO. This would be largely due to the action's speed being beyond the performance abilities of the participants. Let's put it another way; if you've been involved with athletics, perhaps even at an elite level, it's a generally accepted concept that the 'game slows down' as the skills and decision making accuracy increases. The proficiency on display was indicative of athletes in grades 5 or 6, not 7 or 8, and I'd wager the game was happening quickly from their perspective!

This is NOT because the coaching level has dropped!

I can attest to their competency firsthand, based on the messages they broadcasted to their players as the game unfolded, and that coupled with the look of frustration crossing their brow, I could surmise their side of the equation remained consistent. I also want to make it clear that I don't fault the athletes! The efforts being expended were obviously at the outer edges of their conditioning, the look of exertion and exhaustion evident on their sweaty faces. For me, the only explanation has to be the missing portion of that fabled "10 000 hours mastery" lost to the Covid shutdown. Having said all of that, in the end somebody had to win. 

Or, more appropriately, somebodies had to win. 

Those programs that survived the pool play demonstrated they had the 'right stuff' to seek the cup, and they weren't unfamiliar with county championships.

The 4 standouts to qualify for the semifinals were Barrie's Algonquin Ridge, Minesing Central, Collingwood's St Marys, and Guthrie. In what I am told were 2 hotly contested games, Algonquin Ridge captured the 2023 crown over Minesing Central in the final by a slim 5 points. Not to be outdone, Guthrie outlasted St Marys to win by 3 in the consolation final. My friends that officiated the final games felt that all four teams were to be commended for their efforts and execution.

Congratulations to those players and their coaches for a terrific season!

Fortunately, young athletes are the epitome of resilient! Be it an injury, a disappointment, or an obstacle, I've seen hundreds of examples of athletes who overcame the adversity they faced. Those affected by the Covid stoppage that are TRULY passionate about their sport will make up the ground and excel, but that nasty little virus has thrown the proverbial wrench in the gears of our global village, forcing us to make some changes that will require efforts out of the ordinary. 

After it's all said and done, it was a pretty awesome way to spend a Tuesday morning!