#8 - Covid-19 creates more complications in grassroots football

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A rise in coronavirus cases has caused discussions regarding the safety of non-league football to take place, null and voiding the season once again looks like the FA's most probable form of action. 


Covid-19 has had a huge impact on football as a whole in the past year, especially grassroots level. Although volunteers work their hardest to keep the club afloat during a period of inactivity, the inconsistency of games is making it harder than ever to plan for the future as the circumstances and restrictions the pandemic are causing make football so unpredictable.

"Small clubs like ours depend on the income from the gate reception and the bar so when seasons are cancelled it has a massive financial impact on the club", said Leverstock Green physio Adam Bisney.

Not only has the pandemic affected the way clubs are being run, but it has also impacted the progress staff and players can make "personally, covid has affected me as i haven't been able to attend my FA first aid courses" said Bisney. 

"Not only this but due to PPE, the form of treatment I now have to use is different to that of before the pandemic. It makes it difficult to give the players the necessary support". Clearly, the safety of players regarding injuries is in jeopardy due to covid being at the forefront of everyones minds. This can in turn cause the players issues if they aren't able to receive the correct treatment to recover from an injury as quick as they should, therefore covid is detracting the importance of standard sporting injuries. 

Bisney also stated "The players are keen to be playing consistently but because of the pandemic they aren't able to do so. It's affecting their fitness massively as they are unable to get match sharp". not only is physical health suffering, but also mental health. For many players, the few times a week they're able to play football it's often used to relieve stress for many men. However due to the restrictions, their freedom is taken away from them just like everyone else, and many men will suffer from this as a result. 

Although the pandemic hasn't benefitted many industries, grassroots football has particularly struggled in all departments including financially, physically and mentally. 


Follow Leverstock Green on Twitter: @levgreenfc

 

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