Ontario Soccer want Doug Ford to rescind ban amid ‘mental health crisis’

"dismissing their physical and mental well-being as a necessary trade-off for combating COVID-19 is no longer acceptable"

Ontario Soccer wants the Ford government to rescind a ban on organized outdoor sport.

The governing body of youth soccer sent an open letter to Doug Ford Wednesday, calling for the premier to listen to his own experts.

“The Ontario government’s own science table has stated that the measures taken against organized, outdoor activities will not help in the fight against COVID-19 and disproportionally harm children in the process,” said Johnny Misley, Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Soccer.

Misley believes we’re in the midst of a mental health crisis and that Premier Doug Ford needs to address the “hidden pandemic” plaguing Ontario’s children and youth.

“Continuing to dismiss their physical and mental well-being as a necessary trade-off for combating COVID-19 is no longer acceptable,” said Misley.

The calls by Ontario Soccer, which have some 500,000 participants, follow recommendations from Ontario’s own COVID-19 Science Advisory Table.

The panel of experts has said it’s safe to resume outdoor team sports, a move echoed by the Ontario Medical Association and the Canadian Pediatric Society of Canada.

You can view Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play plan here.

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