TAMPA, Fla. - After nearly a year of low enrollment, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA confirms that their registration numbers are nearing what they were before the pandemic hit.
“It tells me that parents are ready to get their kids back and active,” said Executive Director Jarrod Williams. “Some have been cooped up 6, 7, 8 months and they’re looking for an outlet.”
The team at the YMCA says they have worked hard to provide the safest environment possible for kids who are returning to sports and group activities.
Despite #COVID19 case numbers, @TampaYMCA is seeing their enrollment numbers for youth sports rise to almost pre-pandemic levels. Leaders at the YMCA say exercise and social interaction are so important for kids and they're sticking to strict safety guidelines @BN9 pic.twitter.com/pE9dMw9Gi7
— Angie Angers (@angie_angers) January 15, 2021
Here are the new Youth Sports safety requirements:
- Temperature checks for all students, coaches, and staff
- Limited spectators per game or practice
- Social distancing guidelines
- Extra time is scheduled between games and practices to allow for disinfecting
- Adapted game play to limit exposure
Williams says they have been strict in sticking to the safety precautions in order to ease parents fears.
“Providing that atmosphere outside of the walls that they’ve been stuck in the last 10 months is just a huge advantage to their immune system and overall self-esteem,” he said.
The YMCA is still accepting participants for many of their winter sports. You can learn more by visiting https://tampaymca.org/programs/youth-programs/youth-sports.