Covid Qld opinion: Cancelling community sport a step too far

Of the many questionable decisions made by health authorities during the Covid-19 pandemic, one stands out, writes Peter Gleeson.

Of all the questionable decisions made during Covid-19 by health authorities – and there have been many – cancelling community sport takes the cake.

At a time when Queenslanders need to be connected – physically and mentally when Covid-19 outbreaks allow – the decision to stop people playing and attending weekend sport is baffling.

The baffling part relates to inconsistencies around major sports.

Why is it that we can allow 20,000 people to a game of elite footy, yet the grassroots devotees have to sit on the sideline?

Many kids, in particular, look forward to their weekend sport, especially now that most schools have cancelled term 3 sport. Senior students are being hit hardest, many of whom are being forced to learn at home, and at a time when getting outside to do physical exercise has never been more important, they are unable to let off steam.

Throw in the cancellation of excursions and formals, and it’s not much fun being a young person these days, chasing an education.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young says that she does not want children from all over Brisbane mixing together.

Yet we see indoor crowds at shopping centres with numbers much higher than at junior sports events.

Parents at junior sport are outside, wearing a mask, socially distancing and registering their presence via the QR code.

Can somebody please tell me the difference between the risk of exposure to somebody at an indoor shopping centre, or a big footy stadium, compared with kids and parents at junior footy, played outdoors?

There is none. In fact, some would argue the outdoor sport is safer. The purpose of a lockdown is to allow contact tracers the opportunity to get the spread under control.

When the risk has been minimised significantly, surely we can allow our kids to rejoin community sport. With the amount of physical education in schools declining, this issue takes on greater significance.

Let’s consider the findings of a major research project undertaken into the physical education habits of Queensland schoolchildren.

Authored by Caroline Brooks, the report is worrying at best.

They depict a school system that is not taking physical education ­seriously, which is sacrosanct now, considering we will host the 2032 Olympics.

According to the Brooks report, not all students in Queensland ­primary schools are receiving the recommended time allocation of 120 minutes a week for health and physical education.

Many receive, according to the ­report, just 30 minutes a week from a physical education expert.

“Students will not be able to develop the skills, understanding and knowledge sufficient to meet the Australian curriculum standards,’’ the report said.

Dr Brooks said many schools no longer took part in inter-school sport because of transport costs and organisational challenges.

“School sport is the entry point for both recreational and elite sport,’’ she said. “It provides grassroots competition at a low cost and it includes all students, not just the good ones.’’

The report said PE teachers were overworked, many working across multi facilities.

“The awarding of the Olympics should act as a catalyst for PE in primary schools,’’ she said.

“There needs to be accountability from the education sectors to ensure schools are meeting time allocation recommendations.’’

Prohibiting weekend sport for kids is a harsh call, especially if you take into account the alarming findings of the Brooks report.

Just let them run.