(Posted Aug. 5, 2020)
Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
London’s Parks and Recreation Department is thinking outside the box when it comes to its fall youth volleyball league. To be specific, they’re thinking outside.
Practices and games will take place on grass courts outside the Community Center, instead of in the center’s gymnasium. The switch is being made with COVID-19 safety in mind.
“I knew our gym wasn’t going to work. It doesn’t have air conditioning and it has poor air circulation,” said Tammy Braskett, parks and recreation director. “I thought about cancelling the program, but then I thought about how I first started playing volleyball–it was outside, in the backyard, on grass.”
Braskett came up with the idea of using the flat green space at the corner of First and Walnut streets, near the Community Center. The area has room for five courts.
“I don’t know of anybody else that’s done this,” she said. “We’re just trying to do something to give kids something to do and not lose our program.”
Braskett had to halt the spring volleyball league due to COVID-19 shutdowns.
In addition to the change to outside courts, practice and game schedules for the fall volleyball league will be different than in the past. For starters, all divisions will practice at the same time.
“We’re going to be fighting darkness. That’s why we’ll have everybody out there at the same time,” Braskett said.
She also is going with a shorter season. Tryouts are slated for Sept. 1, practices start Sept. 2, and games start Sept. 20. Instead of going through the end of October, games will finish up on Oct. 17. The middle and upper divisions will play double-headers on Sundays. The lower division will play single games on Sundays and Wednesdays.
“Everything will be smooth and professional and organized,” Braskett said.
For spectators, Braskett plans to paint boxes for seating that promotes social distancing. Spectators will need to bring their own chairs. Umbrellas are recommended because shade likely will be hard to come by.
London’s fall youth volleyball league is open to children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. Last year, 100 kids participated. The registration deadline is Aug. 16. The cost is $60 per child with discounts for siblings.
Registration forms are available at:
- City Hall, 20 S. Walnut St., at the lobby desk, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays;
- London City Pool, 203 Park Ave., until Aug. 16, noon-7 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday;
- www.londonohio.gov/parks-recreation-department.
New this year, participants can pay online. Or they can download the form, pay with cash or check, and drop off or mail the completed form and payment to: City of London, Attn: Youth Volleyball, 20 S. Walnut St., Suite 100, London OH 43140.
For more information, visit the London Parks and Recreation Facebook page or call (740) 852-4462.
