Adjusting to life away from competition

Western’s student-athletes have missed an entire season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re still training, though, and they’re hungry to return.

The COVID-19 pandemic has left student-athletes longing for competition and teams getting creative in their training and virtual team-building activities. (Matt Hiscox Photography)

When Western University shut down on-campus activities last March, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, student-athletes had much more to consider than simply a foreign shift to online classes. Though the Mustangs’ fall sports teams had wrapped up their seasons, not all winter teams were so lucky, and not all athletes would see a return to the court, as their seasons were cut short by the pandemic.

Then the pandemic continued into the fall of 2020, and all teams were forced to the sidelines. Mariam Adekale, a third-year Clinical Kinesiology student and women’s rugby player, says the pandemic has changed her year in more ways than one.

“I thought I would do my four years [on the team] and that would be it … Now that I’m missing out on these opportunities, I’m realizing how big rugby is in my life and how much I miss it,” said Adekale, who noted that the absence of a rugby season has her reconsidering post-graduate plans to make space for the team – and the sport – she loves so much.

Fortunately, for student-athletes who compete in the OUA (Ontario University Athletics), this year’s lack of gameplay won’t count towards a year of eligibility. That has athletes like Aryan Sharma, a third-year Health Sciences student and forward on the men’s basketball team, looking at his interrupted season with a bit more optimism: “I’m in a five-year program and luckily I have three years of eligibility left,” he said.

Sadly, though, athletes on the verge of graduation may have taken their final steps off the court or field of play long before they thought they would.

And while Adekale and Sharma still have games they can look forward to, a year without sports has taken a significant toll on their lives – both in and outside of Western. Teams have kept up their strength and conditioning with dedicated online workouts, but no gameplay has drastically changed what a normal season entails.

Adekale says the women’s rugby team has been fortunate to have a coaching staff that understands – and cares for and supports its athletes both on and off the field.

“Along with our workouts, we have team meetings, and our coaches do a really great job of checking in with us,” Adekale said. “I think the biggest thing someone can do is acknowledge that we’re all going through a really hard time right now, and they are here for us as more than just a coach who cares about how well we play rugby. They’re here for us as people.”

In addition to fostering better mental health, Western student-athletes and coaches are working extra hard to maintain their bonds with one each other – in spite of the distance.

“Our whole team is very close-knit,” said Sharma of the men’s basketball squad. “So, it’s been tough because normally we practice six days a week and travel every weekend for games.”

Fortunately, says Sharma, the coaching staff, who use an app to conduct daily workouts that meet the specific needs of each player, has also prioritized making time for fun.

“The coaches are doing a great job of keeping us in the loop and keeping us connected,” Sharma said. “We had a Zoom meeting recently … They always fill us in on COVID-19 protocols and if anything is changing. Afterwards, we had a trivia night.”

Though the lack of in-person practices has been difficult, it has also provided an opportunity for teams to get creative. In addition to multiple workouts each week, Adekale says that virtual hangouts have gone a long way to make sure that everyone still gets to know each other (the women’s rugby team even got involved with a Big Sister program).

Still, despite the check-ins and the devotion to their physical fitness, even student-athletes are struggling to stay motivated during these times.

“It’s hard to find ways to stay optimistic,” Adekale conceded.

Besides leaning on her teammates for support, one way she combats the pessimism is by focusing on everything varsity athletics has offered her.

“It’s having people push you to be the best version of yourself … You’re constantly feeling that good type of pressure, where everyone wants to see you succeed,” she said. “I don’t know where else you could find something like that.”

Similarly, it’s Sharma’s love for the game that encourages him to keep working hard – regardless of whether he’s on the court or not.

“I love playing basketball, and for me it’s a blessing,” Sharma said. “The fact that you get to represent the school beyond academics … It’s always a good feeling to represent Western positively.”

Sharma has been able to put a positive spin on the lengthy time away from his sport.

“I could look at it as my season is cancelled, I’m losing a year, and all my plans are off the table now … But I choose to look at it as a positive. I look at it as the longest off-season we’ve ever had. I look at it as more time to get better.”