May 3, 2020 (Boulder, CO) - The unfortunate Pandemic situation has been a big obstacle to overcome for many organizations, business and even sports groups. One of those sports groups/ clubs is FC Boulder Harpos, who have been trying to adapt and make the best of this "pause" in our state.
CS Magazine From Home had the opportunity to chat with FC Boulder Harpo's owner/manager Johnny Freeston, about the effects that this stay-at-home order has had on his team. This is what he said:
"One part of our team talk was to make the most of the match as it might be the last time we play together for a while."
How are you and the team doing during this situation that the world is experiencing?
We are doing well despite the current climate of COVID-19, but it has been a lot of changes for everyone personally and professionally. We have adapted to the safer at home guidelines and work from home culture, but there have also been job layoffs and other losses of income. One big adjustment for many of us has been managing online education and daycare at home for our children. Another big adjustment is that several bros and their wives have become new parents which is a game-changer in its own right. Overall, we have been able to leverage our strong support system which has helped in these unprecedented times.
How did the quarantine situation affect the team? Are players not able to stay in playing shape? Is this affecting the team’s calendar or even financially?
The global pandemic stopped the team right in its tracks. We were enjoying a tough scrimmage vs University of Denver (DU) on March 11. During halftime we learned the NBA had officially cancelled the rest of their season and that is when we knew CV-19 was for real. One part of our team talk was to make the most of the match as it might be the last time we play together for a while. We won it 3-1 and left feeling positive about the result but agreed that an uncertain break was our new reality.
The quarantine has kept our squad safe and healthy at home. They are adapting well with remote training and following physical health plans created by one of our bros who works for a fitness software app company. Nothing replaces training and playing though, so once the dust settles, we will work tirelessly as staff and players to reach top match form. As for mental health, we continue our 1-1 conversations and enjoy our daily chats on WhatsApp. We have also implemented Life size video meetings which have been excellent for team banter and bonding. Our calendar has been thrown out the window. Training is TBD. Playing in Colorado Premier League is TBD. Going on a run in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is TBD as the tournament has been postponed. All sports organizations and competitions are in a holding pattern until given the green light to play again per national and state health regulators.
Harpos has not been affected financially but we feel for those who have been hit hard. As we want to help, we have made a donation to Colorado COVID Relief Fund while our several healthcare and law enforcement frontline workers continue to take care of and to serve people in need.
How ready was your team to start the league?
We were fully ready to start Colorado Premier League on March 22 after a positive preseason, but sometimes life changes when you least expect it.
What steps have you taken to get your team ready for when the league starts again?
Our squad is working out hard and training well on their own at home, but we'll need a few weeks of sessions and scrimmages to get back into the full swing of things especially integrating our new recruits.
Do you have any news on when the league would be able to start?
Colorado Premier League is being smart and cautious like everyone else across the country. It sounds like limited numbers with physical distance might begin sometime this summer with a return to 11v11 in the fall but honestly everything is still up in the air.
What are your expectations for the team once or if the league gets back on track?
Our expectation is to be our best. Our goal is to win one game at a time, have fun together and the rest will take care of itself. The lack of futbol in our lives has been huge. We are very excited to play again but the health and safety of everyone comes first. Be well!
Thank you for the opportunity to share our thoughts in this interview. We wish all the best for Colorado Soccer Magazine and keep up the good work.
https://coloradosoccermaga.wixsite.com/mysite/post/cs-magazine-from-home-with-johnny-freeston
