Sunday, June 14th 2020 — ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Governor Cuomo announced Sunday low-risk youth sports can restart on July 6 for regions already in phase 3.
Low-risk youth sports include baseball, softball, gymnastics, field hockey, cross country and crew. Gov. Cuomo said up two spectators are allowed per child.
While the Henrietta Recreational Center has been closed, Quinn Johnson and her friends have been practicing at home doing flips, cartwheels and playing catch. But Quinn says she’d rather be at the gym.
“We have so much equipment and the big floor that you can tumble on. And if you need help spotting, then you just have a coach right there to help you spot,” Quinn said.
Quinn has been doing gymnastics since she was three. Her mom says it’s strange not being in the gym cheering her on.
“We’re just so used to being always being active and being out there. To be staying here at home and having the girls be doing Zoom meets, sitting in the front yard, being on tablets, it’s been really hard,” said Laura Johnnson.
When kids come back in July, gymnastic class sizes will be cut in half and sessions will be ten minutes shorter so staff can sanitize mats and equipment in between training’s. Jackie Kitto, the Gymnastics Director at the Henrietta Recreational Center for the past twelve years, say’s relieved to be teaching again.
“It’s a relief to finally a have a date to finally get back to a normal routine, get the kids back in and see them all,” said Kitto.
Kitto was hoping to get back in the gym earlier but for now, her gymnasts are practicing four times a week over Zoom.
“They’ve been doing all types of conditioning, flexibility, a little of tumble and dance. I’ve been shocked at how competitive they’ve been the last three months,” said Kitto.
With limited sports allowed this summer, Kitto expects enrollment to increase, even if it’s just for fun.
“At this point I think it’s good for their mental health, they need to get out and they need to get active and they need to get social again,” said Kitto.
—13WHAM