Sam Nahrgang - NAIT Athletics
EDMONTON, Alta. - The NAIT Ooks badminton team gears up for their 2020-2021 season as they begin tryouts tonight at B-Active Badminton Club in Edmonton.
Unlike larger team sports, badminton is a bit different when it comes to COVID regulations, says head coach Sinead Cheah:
"The main restriction we have in place is having to train in cohorts."
"It's good for us because all of our student-athletes are part of the tight-knit badminton community and have been training in cohorts during the club season anyway."
As of now, the team is preparing like any other season. Except for this year, the Ooks will begin their season in January, rather than in the fall.
"We are preparing like it's a regular-season (aside from the cohorts) until we hear otherwise we are full go training twice a week to prepare for the season in January."
Sinead understands that although mentally they are prepping like it's a regular season, they need to be extra cautious to ensure the safety of the student-athletes and the public takes priority.
"Our players are pretty good, they have been training all summer in cohorts, and are very good at communicating. It's happened a few times this summer within the club circuit where someone may have been exposed, and with the hour, everyone is aware, and everyone takes all of the necessary precautions."
"We have also decided to move our training to B-Active. The badminton club is a more controlled space, increasing the safety of the student-athletes," said Cheah. "Typically, at NAIT, we would be sharing gym time with another team, but with the cohort system, it just made more sense to move to our own space."
The NAIT Ooks Badminton team will be holding tryouts tonight at 5:00 PM and next Wednesday, September 16th, at 5:00 PM. If you wish to try out, please contact Sinead Cheah at sineadc@nait.ca or by phone at 780-884-7891.