West Lothian Fencing Club head coach Kev Milne admits lockdown has had a severe impact on his younger members.
It’s now been a year since the club were able to host any indoor training sessions or events, although there was a brief spell during the summer months of outdoor training – and even a club championship.
That had offered hope that things would soon be back to normal, but that unfortunately proved to be far from the case as the second lockdown hit during winter and it was back to Zoom classes.
Milne, who helped start the club three years ago, says it’s been a hugely challenging year for his members, most of whom are school age children.
He said: “The exercise is good for their mental health, the release of endorphins, that just isn’t happening.
“There is a lot of Zoom apathy with the amount of school work the kids have been doing online.
“This means they are not keen to do so much outside school.
“The kids are really struggling to get out and mix and have something to look forward to at night. Fencing would usually compensate for having the daily drudge of life and allows a chance to mix, compete, win and make memories.
“They are really feeling in a state of limbo and the lack of goals and uncertainty about what they are supposed to be doing in terms of training or even when proper fencing is happening is having a real negative effect.
“I am seeing it much worse across these last couple of months. It’s also the same for our parents and adult members.”
Last year, the club had planned to compete in an event in Poland, which had to be cancelled.
During the first lockdown, Milne and the club held regular Zoom sessions and competitions to keep everyone as engaged and active as possible.
But he admits it’s no replacement for the real thing and says the longer lockdown has gone on, the harder it’s been to keep everyone motivated, while also having to change tactics and ideas for training.
Plans are in place for the summer, and next year, but he concedes even trying to convince members that there’s light at the end of the tunnel can be a struggle.
He commented: “I’ve had to change ideas to keep the kids motivated.
“It’s really difficult reminding them that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that the Commonwealth Championships should happen in 2022 and we should definitely get ready for the season starting in September.
“It helps a bit, but it’s clearly easier for someone like myself to understand that September isn’t too far away, but that’s different for the younger kids. It seems a long way off for them.
“We are planning a trip to Orkney for the club as a training camp in mid-July, fingers crossed.
“It is something that we are promoting to at least show that there is hope on the horizon and something to really look forward to for everyone.”
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