50p
Soccer Adapts to COVID-19
Two weeks ago, the illustrious Brentwood gates opened for the first time in six months, letting in a flurry of new and returning students. For some, this meant new beginnings and for some, old friends. For a select group of boys, however, this meant one thing, the start of the soccer season.
The Brentwood soccer program has been on the rise throughout the last couple of years, with four straight provincial championship appearances, a school record of 4th place last year and a string of ISABC titles. However, this year, due to COVID-19 mitigation protocols, boys soccer has had to take a different approach to its regularly scheduled programming
The mitigation strategies that we are using this year include socially distant technical work, inter-cohort play, and sanitation of the balls after every practice. After each session is over, every ball is lined up on the halfway line and is then sprayed with a disinfectant and wiped down.
Head Coach Mr Wesley Barret was enthusiastic for the season, stating that “The nice thing about soccer is that there are many activities you can do that fit within the social distancing parameters. Ball striking, dribbling, juggling, shooting, and crossing to name a few. Lots of these activities help players to progress on the technical side of the game. The exercises that we do allow for a lot of repetition in a short period.”
The season began with juniors and seniors alike meeting on the coveted Gillespie Field. Although the sessions were different, lots of the boys were still avid to get out there and play. Avik B, Privett ‘23 was very happy to just be playing again: “It’s nice to focus on the technical aspects. Over the break I really missed the game so to be able to be back here and able to play at all is awesome.”
After the first few days of practice, the sessions came to an unexpected halt due to the smoke from the Pacific wildfires. Practice times were limited to 45 minutes, and the haze brought a feeling of gloom over the already modified sessions.
However, the boys persevered through the smokey days and were rewarded with a fun day of soccer golf on the upper field. A seven-hole course was created that truly tested one's ability with a ball. Success required a mix of power, precision, and a little bit of flavour. It was a way to bring some competition and fun into the sport while still remaining socially distanced outside of cohorts.
As Camp Brentwood came to a close, the soccer program saw its furthest strides so far. Last Saturday inter-cohort contact was finally allowed and the lads took full grasp of that opportunity, taking part in well-awaited house scrimmages.
It has been an eventful start for the boys' soccer teams and although we know not what the future has in store, we are looking forward to a great season nevertheless.
Tommy M, Privett ‘23
The Brentwood soccer program has been on the rise throughout the last couple of years, with four straight provincial championship appearances, a school record of 4th place last year and a string of ISABC titles. However, this year, due to COVID-19 mitigation protocols, boys soccer has had to take a different approach to its regularly scheduled programming
The mitigation strategies that we are using this year include socially distant technical work, inter-cohort play, and sanitation of the balls after every practice. After each session is over, every ball is lined up on the halfway line and is then sprayed with a disinfectant and wiped down.
Head Coach Mr Wesley Barret was enthusiastic for the season, stating that “The nice thing about soccer is that there are many activities you can do that fit within the social distancing parameters. Ball striking, dribbling, juggling, shooting, and crossing to name a few. Lots of these activities help players to progress on the technical side of the game. The exercises that we do allow for a lot of repetition in a short period.”
The season began with juniors and seniors alike meeting on the coveted Gillespie Field. Although the sessions were different, lots of the boys were still avid to get out there and play. Avik B, Privett ‘23 was very happy to just be playing again: “It’s nice to focus on the technical aspects. Over the break I really missed the game so to be able to be back here and able to play at all is awesome.”
After the first few days of practice, the sessions came to an unexpected halt due to the smoke from the Pacific wildfires. Practice times were limited to 45 minutes, and the haze brought a feeling of gloom over the already modified sessions.
However, the boys persevered through the smokey days and were rewarded with a fun day of soccer golf on the upper field. A seven-hole course was created that truly tested one's ability with a ball. Success required a mix of power, precision, and a little bit of flavour. It was a way to bring some competition and fun into the sport while still remaining socially distanced outside of cohorts.
As Camp Brentwood came to a close, the soccer program saw its furthest strides so far. Last Saturday inter-cohort contact was finally allowed and the lads took full grasp of that opportunity, taking part in well-awaited house scrimmages.
It has been an eventful start for the boys' soccer teams and although we know not what the future has in store, we are looking forward to a great season nevertheless.
Tommy M, Privett ‘23