Future of basketball for young players is at risk over valid digital covid certs

THE future of basketball for tens of thousands of children in the country is at risk due to the announcement by Sport Ireland that only players possessing a valid digital Covid certificate, or recovery cert, should participate in indoor sports, reports Maurice Garvey.

It doesn’t apply to National League or international games – deemed to be elite – but it greatly impacts juvenile fixtures.

In Ireland, children under 12 are not yet eligible for vaccinations, and many parents in the country will be reluctant to vaccinate their child for various reasons.

It is yet another bizarre Covid related predicament befalling an area of life, and for kids who have been inactive in the sport for 18 months, the cancellation of games last week was a massive blow.

“My daughter, who is 11 and plays for Firhouse U-12’s, was told on Saturday night that she can’t play on Sunday morning, because they can’t be vaxed at the moment,” said Darren McGovern, head coach at DBS Éanna Basketball.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr McGovern, an Old Bawn resident, is perplexed as to why the sport is taking heat when they have been to the fore in implementing “the strictest guidelines” to ensure safety on their courts.

“Why are we being judged, when we have had all the safety measures in place, the interiors are all well ventilated, we ensure masks, social distancing, the coaches get a bit cold because they are not doing as much running around,” he said.

“Kids come in to us for one or two hours a week, it is part of young person’s mental health. We should be treated the same as a school, or shopping centres, restaurants, bars, kids are going to play at parties.”

The confusion led to many parents expressing concerns, including RTE broadcaster Marie Crowe, who tweeted on Tuesday, that her son was to play his first baskletball game this weekend for Éanna and was “so disappointed – whole thing is such a mess”.

Complicating matters further, schools competitions have also been postponed because although under 18s can play if they have proof of vaccination, government regulations also forbade teachers/coaches from asking children what their vaccination status is.

“Asking volunteers to check underage players vaccination status is something they may not want to do,” said Mr McGovern.

“You are going to have a huge number of parents who fear the vaccination for their child. Another year of inactivity will decimate the sport and feel it could be the end of the sport. The concern is not only for kids but the impact on volunteers.

“We’re not against government guidelines, as long as they are reasonable.

“Whoever came up with this legislation did not do their due diligence and the impact this will have on tens of thousands of kids around the country.”

The fear is that many kids will just move onto other sports where they can compete without any obstacles.

“Basketball Ireland is against this but has to follow the guidelines,” said McGovern.

“Although Sporting Ireland issued the announcement, the directive was likely issued by government. Some of our staff have been abused by parents, but that is the frustration out there, which is coming from poor leadership.”

Basketball Ireland are seeking clarity on how the guidelines apply to those under the age of 18, with submissions made to government, and they expect an update this week.