COVID Check-In #2

On January 14, 2021 the Lethbridge Sport Council distributed a survey to local sport organizations regarding how they continue to work with their athletes, volunteer board members, and staff through the pandemic.

We had 17 respondents representing over 27,500 participants. 53% of respondents came from their sport organization’s board of directors, 35% were coaches (either paid or volunteer), 29% were staff of the sport organization, and 35% filled some other role within their organization. It was possible for respondents to have more than one position within their organization hence the total percentage being greater than 100%

Respondents were asked what the organizations are doing to keep their athletes active and motivated while in-person group training has been shut down. 41% indicated they had shifted to some form of virtual delivery of workouts with Zoom being the most popular delivery method. 18% said they were regularly communicating with their athletes but were not presently doing any form of training. 23.5% are not doing any form of communication or training with their athletes (though half of those responses are due to the sports organization being in its off-season).

When asked how their organization was keeping its board of directors active and motivated 70.6% said they are doing regular virtual check-ins, 64.7% are developing a strategic plan and their organizational goals, while 41% say they are off taking a well-deserved break. 35% of responses also indicated that they were taking part in promoting some form of online or virtual training. Again, it was possible for respondents to select more than one activity leading to total percentages greater than 100.

While there is no doubt that COVID-19 has disrupted business as usual for sporting organizations across the board, many of our respondent organizations have made use of this time to work on developing and adapting their existing organizational strategies and processes.

The Lethbridge Boxing Club has remained in contact with its athletes during this period, though they've been limited to just sharing motivational videos for the time being. When it comes to their board the organization continues to set goals and build its strategic plan, and it is also using time to improve its systems and operating processes.

Kinetic Fitness has found creative ways to continue some form of delivery for its clients. The studio provides online and on demand virtual challenges while also providing written workouts through social media. On top of regularly scheduled virtual check-ins the board has turned a good portion of its focus to the promotion of online and virtual training.

Meanwhile, Lethbridge Rec Hockey has been limited by the pandemic and has had no formalized contact or training with its athletes, though its board does continue to have regular virtual check-ins and continues working on its organizational goals, strategy and objectives.