In 2020 this is a repetitive story, but it also serves as a reminder of how positive and how active we were not that long ago in so many parts of the broadcast region.
Based in Meaford, the Georgian Bay Coyotes operated their track program for a decade with tremendous success at many levels.
Their greatest success, in my view, was in the sheer number of youngsters who were club members, stayed fit, stayed active and likely didn’t realize it because they were having such a good time in the organization.
Ironically, in the early days of COVID-19, the Coyotes developed a unique initiative. They add their club member training miles from their respective communities and staged a virtual run across Canada.
Not long after the club accumulated a training trek that would have taken them from St John’s, Newfoundland to Victoria, B.C., they halted their operations for the season.
There were two primary factors.
One, insurance.
The Ontario Minor Track Association coverage would not be available for athletes or coaches in the event of infectious diseases or communicable diseases, i.e., coronavirus.
The Coyotes membership would be highly impacted by this as 95% of their athletes are in Grade 8 or under.
The other significant factor in the decision was provincial geography.
The Georgian Bay Coyotes are based in Meaford but they compete in events at, and against competition from, a variety areas.
Many of those areas have been hit vastly harder by the pandemic than the home base for the Coyotes.
So looking at expense and risk and athlete health and safety. the Georgian Bay Coyotes halted a 10 year run and like so many organizations will be looking hopefully to the future.