In his regular column in the Hereford Times, Bryan White, honorary secretary of Herefordshire Sport, speaks of the impact of coronavirus on sport in Herefordshire.

BORIS Johnson succumbed to Covid-19, and after suffering a lengthy period of treatment and recovery is reported to have said that the experience had made him realise that his physical condition of being considerably overweight had contributed to his situation.

Subsequently, he pledged to tackle the issue of obesity in the population from which one third suffer.

The Government has undertaken to “invest in helping individuals to be healthier” and lead “more active lives”. 

How often have these promises been made but with what outcome?

The current crisis will perhaps engender action into these fine words, but history indicates that putting sufficiently significant resources into promoting active lifestyles has eluded government. Besides physical activity the problem of tackling inappropriate diets is equally vital.

The Covid crisis has certainly changed the way our society relates to the many aspects of our lives that we treasure. 

Distancing from families, friends and colleagues has brought home to us how important social contact and interaction is and how much we miss it when it’s not there, and that electronic contact only seems to reinforce the loss.

Sport and physical recreation are social aspects which are deeply ingrained in our communities and there has been a profound sense of deprivation when access has become denied. 

While much has been reported about the importance of football at the top level being resumed, without the fans it is possibly true that the pressure to resume is as much about the financial considerations as for the chance to view games on screens.

Without knowing the the future and how long isolation will last, many national governing bodies of sport have tried to make plans for the resumption of their programmes. But it is local community sports clubs that face extremely demanding situations. 

The personal contacts that sports clubs engender are a vital stimulant for so many.

Just as families are trying to stay in contact with each other, it is so important for club members and team-mates to similarly keep in contact and, hopefully, community clubs have socialised virtually.

Clubs may well have to accept very different ways of competing for the foreseeable future, and be prepared to accommodate social distancing measures.

Team sports are the obvious ones which will have to review how they operate and it will be up to governing bodies to give guidance and direction to their member clubs.

Some clubs may face financial difficulties if memberships are reduced and sponsors who have provided resources find the inevitable strains on the economy impact on the ability to offer support.

Besides the help being offered to clubs by some of the larger national governing bodies, Sport England does have various financial packages for clubs and details are available on the Sport England website with a Crowd Funding ‘Active Together’ fund and a Community Emergency Fund. 

However, sport will suffer which is evidenced by the plea by the English Football League, England and Wales Cricket Board, Rugby football Union and UK Sport to government for funds to fill an estimated £750m black hole.

Sports organisations which hire facilities could encounter problems if they are denied use because of social distancing requirements. 

Indoor playing spaces, changing accommodation and showers obviously present difficulties, as does parking. 

Venues such as schools may perhaps feel they have enough problems providing their educational obligations without having to deal with lettings to community sports organisations.

Herefordshire Sport has always given out the message that “Sport is the heart of the community” and while the extreme difficulties that face so many aspects of our lives we need to be confident that sport in the community will be restored to its position as a vital driving force in our social fabric.