The Regional District of Nanaimo recreation department is helping sports organizations in District 69 recover from the adverse impact of the COVID pandemic.
The Oceanside Minor Softball Association (OMSA) and Oceanside Minor Lacrosse Association (OMLA) are two of the sports groups that struggled with programs due to significant decline in players, volunteers and coaches.
RDN recreation co-ordinator Colleen Jordan made a presentation to the Oceanside Services Committee (OSC) meeting on March 21 to highlight the efforts made helping these organizations rebuild.
She informed the committee that in 2020, they adjusted some of their priorities and directed their efforts in supporting these sports groups.
“These shift has facilitated stronger connections with the local sports groups and expanded our physical literacy programs within our community,” said Jordan.
OMSA president Sarah Kroeker said in her letter to the OSC, during COVID, their numbers plummeted from 130, their highest on record, to less than 30, and even fewer two years later.
“We had lost most of our board of directors, our house program was almost non-existent, and we couldn’t figure why female athletes were not joining back up,” Kroeker said. “We are feeling exhausted, defeated and overwhelmed.”
But in the spring of 2022, with funding and support from Softball BC, the RDN and OMSA, Jordan said, were able to offer free softball clinics and tryout programs that provide children an opportunity to experience the sport.
“We had 53 children participate,” said Jordan. “We’ve continued to offer tryout program and are happy to report that Oceanside Minor Softball has shared that their number of participants and their coaches has improved.”
The OMLA landed a $7,500 grant that was used to purchase equipment, promotional materials and facility rental time. With the help of the RDN, they were able to also offer tryout programs and camps. They were able to attract 92 children and youth.
“This season, we have seen our registration number grow by 16 per cent and a number of registrations are from the tryout sessions,” said Rennee Allan. “The impact they have had on the growth of lacrosse in Oceanside is tremendous.”
In the last couple of years, OMLA has had to join out-of-town teams in order to play. This season, OMLA had a box team for every age division from four to 17 years old.
Other groups also turning to the rec department for support include Oceanside Football Club, Oceanside Youth Lions Football, and volleyball.
Jordan said these relationships help encourage children and youth to be active for life.