Knights

“We’re trying to give the kids something that they can use for relieving mental stress and emotional stress,” says Masse, noting he is following guidelines from AHS, Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA) and Rocky View Schools.

It has led to a decrease in volleyball participation, with clubs carrying on seasons into the school year prohibiting players from participating in school sports. The pandemic seems to have put an end to dual-sport athletes.

Football players are able to practice and play within their team, offence against defence. Masse says George Mac Mustangs football head coach Chris Glass is working hard to make sure players are “safe and getting a great experience.”

Masse says the activity is important.

“It relieves anxiety,” he says. “The biochemistry of it is that it creates endorphins, which gives us a feeling of calm and relaxation after we’re done.”

Despite the setbacks and regulations, Masse says the students are receptive to the message “this is what we’re trying to do to prevent our health services from being overburdened and then people ultimately dying or becoming very, very sick because of the virus.”

“When people say it’s not fair, I say, ‘Well, it’s just a season,” says Masse. “One season isn’t the same as losing a life.”

Destiny Martial Arts

“Our numbers went down a bit, but we’re on the rebound,” says Johnson, owner and master instructor of the all-ages taekwondo gym that operates in Airdrie and Calgary. “It’s a testament [to] the fortitude and the desire of the students to want to get back training.”

They’ve also kept class cohorts under 50, including some parent spectators, during the three evening classes on Mondays and Wednesdays in Airdrie.

“The parents are in full support,” says Johnson, noting the gym follows guidelines from the Alberta government.

Destiny closed down like other facilities in March, and Johnson led about 75 per cent of his students in online training via Zoom during the lockdown.

Aside from having his gym closed, the master instructor and vice-president of the Americas for the International TaekwonDo Federation Union (ITF Union), was scheduled for several international trips in 2020 that were cancelled due to COVID-19.

He says his sport has helped him lead his members through adversity “to come out on top, to keep training and stay focused.”

“We have to find ways as humans to push through the struggle, and the struggle is real, but we have to pursue it regardless,” says Johnson.

He is optimistic about the future and looking forward to the resumption of national and international events, like the ITF Union World Championships in Mexico in November 2021.

“We’re all helping and supporting the ITF Union, Mexico, members to make that happen,” says Johnson. life