Amid the national health crisis, Park Life Sport spoke to the University of Gloucestershire’s Sports Officer, George Berry about how the coronavirus will effect upcoming BUCS fixtures and the highly anticipated varsity series.
Over the past week, most top level sports have been postponed until April in attempt to curve the outbreak of COVID-19 with government advice and precautions increasing everyday, including self-isolation and the closure of certain workplaces and facilities.
However, the University of Gloucestershire remains open and Berry insists it’s very much ‘business as usual’ for the uni and it’s sporting teams.
“My job is very busy. There is a lot of concern around coronavirus and trying to keep going with the day to day stuff too.
“We’re trying to plan BUCS fixtures and organise a continuity plan if we can’t hold those fixtures.
“At the minute Wednesday’s games are on unless there is a particular case with an individual at university or a sports national governing body says otherwise.
“The update from our uni is business as usual and all the students can find that on glos as there’s an excellent information page about COVID-19. And the update from BUCS is to carry on unless we’re told otherwise.”
The Univeristy is preparing for theibiggest sporting event of the year as their annual Varsity series against the University of Worcester is due to kick off next Wednesday. The opening game seems both men and women’s rugby union play at the home of Worcester Warriors, Sixways Stadium. At the moment, Berry
“At the moment yes. We’re carrying on with plans that are made but obviously it’s a rapidly changing situation its very fluid with whats going to be happening and what’s not.
We’ve got a couple of issues within it that certain national governing bodies have said they’ve suspended all sport for that particular sport for instance, BAFA have suspended all American Football action at any level even just meeting to train we’ve been told we’re not allowed to so that proves an issue for that sport but at the minute the whole varsity series looks like it’s going ahead. But that could change, I could walk out of here and in two minutes it could all be off, depends what comes from the government, what comes from BUCS and where our uni stands and if we get a case. Or if we just decide that if certain sports aren’t allowed to compete then maybe it’s not fair that any get to compete and we should look to postpone or completely cancel this year’s series which would be a massive shame.
Do you have anything in place in case it gets cancelled?
This is completely new territory, I didn’t think when I got elected I would be dealing with a pandemic but
I would love for it to be on and I’m sure my counterpart at Worcester would love for it to be on and I know all the students want it to be on but I think there’s a big difference between wanting it to be on and knowing whats best.
For the students union and the welfare of the students and the wider image, is a lot more important than varsity unfortunately and that’s the case across the world right now.
What are sports clubs doing to help?
It’s the standard ash your hands, be careful, be hygenioc and look after each other. A lot of people are belittling the whole thing. It’s the people in vulnerable positions that we should think about, people’s parents, grandparents and close family and friends who might not be able to fight it so take every precaution you can, its not necessarily about you, it’s about the person next to you and their family.
