“We’re in this fight against COVID-19 together,” Governor DeWine recently said as he asked state residents to determine how over the next several weeks everyone can increase efforts slow the spread of this disease.
“We want to assure you that every day the Y is doing everything possible to provide a safe place for you and your family, including constant sanitizing, social distancing and wearing masks,” YMCA CEO Doug Saunders said on Monday. “We do these things because we care about your health and well-being, and we want to remain open for you throughout the winter.”
Many people have had their opportunities to engage in physical activity greatly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend 150-300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity and two sessions per week of muscle strength training.
The YMCA has designed three sports challenges for YMCA members and non-members to take place in December that will allow for physical distancing while providing opportunities for physical activity in skill-based competition. The indoor baseball and fast pitch softball hitting tournament, soccer skills, and King of the Court basketball skills competitions will all take place in the YMCA.
With divisions for seventh through eighth and ninth through 12th grades, the baseball and fast pitch softball hitting tournament will take place on Dec. 19 in the indoor batting cage that opened as part of the expansion in March. Each three-person team will be placed in a double elimination bracket and play three inning “games.” Each player gets 10 swings per inning off the pitching machine and will score points by hitting targets placed in the cage. Team and individual awards will be given.
The indoor soccer skills competition will take place on Dec. 7, 14, and 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the YMCA fieldhouse. Students in third through fifth, and sixth through eighth grades will participate in 10 soccer skills stations with an opportunity to improve their time or score over the course of the three nights. Miami Trace soccer coach Josh Thoroman and other volunteers will provide tips on improving their performance.
Adrian Parks and Kenny Upthegrove will host the King of the Court basketball skills competition at the YMCA on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Students in sixth through eighth and ninth through 12th grades will participate in a three point shooting and skills challenges throughout the evening.
Pre-registration is required for each of these competitions. Online registration is available at faycoymca.org/youth-sports or register in-person at the YMCA.
In addition to these competitions, at this time the YMCA is planning on offering the winter basketball leagues for 3 through 5-year-olds and grades kindergarten through sixth. Both the gymnasium and field house will be utilized for games and practices to enable physical distancing. There will be a limit of one spectator per child for practices and games. Spectators and players not in the game will be required to wear a mask. Online and in-person registration for youth basketball takes place Nov. 28 through Dec. 30.
In addition to these youth sports opportunities the YMCA continues to provide facilities for the Miami Trace, Washington Court House and Wilmington High School swim teams. The YMCA Tsunami swim team is also practicing and engaging in virtual swim meets.
The YMCA also continues to provide opportunities for members of all ages to participate in physical activity both inside and outside the YMCA. In addition to YMCA facilities and group exercise classes, there are virtual classes available through YMCA360 or the YMCA mobile app powered by Virtuagym.
YMCA child care programs for infants through preschool and school agers are also available to the community.
For further information contact the YMCA at 740-335-0477.
The information in this article was provided by Fayette County Family YMCA CEO Doug Saunders. Stay with the Record-Herald for more information and coverage from the Fayette County Family YMCA.
