Brian Cuthbert: How many children will be lost to sport after Covid pandemic?

UP FOR IT: Cormac Gavin of Our Lady Queen of the Apostles NS, Clonburris, and Eddie Bohan of Terenure College JS attempt to win a dropping ball during the 2016 Corn Chlanna Gael final at the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol finals in Croke Park. ‘Right now, our youth need connection to their peer group,’ writes Brian Cuthbert. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The pandemic has forced us all to reflect and reevaluate. It has forced us back to first principles and has made us realise what is important in our lives. Outside of the well-being of our loved ones, sport and its absence have occupied the thoughts of many. For our young people, who now live in a world of structured play, sport provides a critical social platform to experience others and develop life skills. All sports provide an opportunity for personal growth, not least learning to build tenacity and resilience.

Teams sports are uniquely placed within this learning continuum as they provide the added bonus of a shared
experience.