We have reduced our greed for the commercial and corporate and have a rejuvenated love for community, for the small wins and for genuine celebration of all that is local and positive.
Australia is a massive country with a population spread thinly among largely coastal cities, towns and villages. Their central government and state governments cracked down hard on the Covid epidemic, imposing stringent quarantine regulations and laws, at all levels. Restricted movement of people has undoubtedly had an impact on the movement of the virus. Just 46 new cases were recorded across the whole country on 15th September, compared with almost 8000 in France, for example.
On Sunday 13th September the state of Western Australia enjoyed a leap into sport competition, with football, rugby and judo all hosting their state championships. Pending, predicted anxiety seems to have dissipated wholesale, leaving all involved with a satisfaction and calm and the permission to immerse themselves in a little slice of our old lives.
Carlo Knoester, head coach of Kano Judo Schools, Western Australia (WA), spoke candidly, “Having a competition today was just what our local judo community needed. It was a glimmer of hope that things might be getting back to normal. During this lockdown period, many players changed weight and age categories. It was great to see them coping with the competition pressure, although many were understandably not yet match fit.
Perth is the most isolated city in the world and the state border is still closed to the rest of the country. This has been our saving grace as we have no cases of the virus in our community. Today gave us the hope that a bright 2021 is waiting for all of us.”
Another coach present added, “It’s so great to be back. We’re blessed here in Western Australia to have been able to continue training when most couldn’t. It’s nice to see that our athletes haven’t lost too much in terms of fitness and passion for the sport from our comparatively minimal lockdown.” John Commerford is a coach at the University of Western Australia Judo Club and he was proud of how his judoka handled the day.
Carlo Knoester, head coach of Kano Judo Schools, Western Australia (WA), spoke candidly, “Having a competition today was just what our local judo community needed. It was a glimmer of hope that things might be getting back to normal. During this lockdown period, many players changed weight and age categories. It was great to see them coping with the competition pressure, although many were understandably not yet match fit.
Perth is the most isolated city in the world and the state border is still closed to the rest of the country. This has been our saving grace as we have no cases of the virus in our community. Today gave us the hope that a bright 2021 is waiting for all of us.”
Another coach present added, “It’s so great to be back. We’re blessed here in Western Australia to have been able to continue training when most couldn’t. It’s nice to see that our athletes haven’t lost too much in terms of fitness and passion for the sport from our comparatively minimal lockdown.” John Commerford is a coach at the University of Western Australia Judo Club and he was proud of how his judoka handled the day.
