Here I am again, wanting to share some thoughts and experiences with you. As we all know, competitions in the Total League have started again. In the beginning, it felt super weird and it was a whole new situation. Being able to practice while in some gyms, the locker rooms were still closed and the kids can practice with immense restrictions, gave the excitement to be back on the court a small backstab. Of course, on the one hand, people felt privileged and were happy to be able to play again. However, on the other hand, many questions and doubts arose. Always keeping in mind, that the other leagues and especially kids are not allowed to play yet. This meant that the players from the first leagues in all competitions have to be a role model and respect the rules in order to do their part to be able to finish the season as planned.
Getting tested weekly is not fun. In the beginning, no one really knew how it would all be set up. Who would do the testing and especially how? What if someone gets tested positive? What if it is one of the professional players? Are we going to have the full team on board to be able to compete 100%? How reliable are these tests? And especially what if there is someone who is cheating on those tests? Questions over questions, where nobody could be a 100% sure. After the first two weekends, the clubs had done a pretty good job by organizing everything. For the first two game weekends, the FLBB offered the clubs a company which could come to the games, so players and staff could get tested before the game.
Despite all the effort, getting tested right before the game is even more stressful because the results come in an hour before and the team cannot have their normal gameday routine. Nonetheless, the clubs were all able to find solutions to this problem pretty quickly. To get organized meant, finding the needed gear for the test people, finding people that could take part on the formation on how to do the tests and finding staff that was willing to execute those. Fortunately, in most clubs, the physios or volunteers in the clubs were willing to do the testing weekly. Most teams get tested the day before the gameday. This then again brings more calmness to the gameday itself and players as well as the staff know if the whole team will be able to play.
« The testing is still not the most fun part, yet if it gives the possibility to return back to the court, people should cherish that and not take it for granted. »
As humans, we can adapt quickly to new situations. Which means that all those questions above were not so present anymore after the testing routine kicked in. The important fact which players and clubs have to see in this opening that the government gave us, is that it is a big opportunity to get a little normality back in our lifes. Furthermore, we should also have confidence and faith in everyone in the clubs, that the testing is done correctly and that no one will use their power to do any kind of abuse. The testing is still not the most fun part, yet if it gives the possibility to return back to the court, people should cherish that and not take it for granted. Additionally, it gives us all some kind of security, not only when talking about being able to play basketball but also in our everyday life’s.
Nevertheless, even if the Total League is allowed to play and compete under strict circumstances, one should not forget about all those players that are not allowed to. One should also not forget about the fans that are impatiently waiting to be able to come to the gym again and support their teams. Because at the end of the day, to play in front of a crowd and getting that extra level of energy from the supporters, is also an important part of the game. Playing in front of an empty gym is just not the same.
So, fact is still, that we must take day by day and be grateful for every step to return back to normality. Because the virus will not go away and at the end of the day, we have to find a solution to live with it.
