BREC brings back many sports league events to Baton Rouge with Covid-19 guidelines.

Covid-19 has rocked the world and we now have a “new” normal lifestyle that has impacted the world in many different ways. Baton Rouge Recreation Center known as BREC has opened back up to bring all sports for the spring season.

Many places have taken big hits due to Covid-19 such as sports leagues to be exact. Sports have been a huge part of the world since the beginning of time with much different entertainment that can be watched or done around the world. Although this happens, many places that hold sports events or leagues have started to open back to the public with guidelines or new rules. For example, BREC operations, formally known as Baton Rouge Recreation Center have opened back up to the public with their sports events or leagues.

“At Brec, we take all precautions seriously and follow the governor’s and CDC mandates for youth and adult sports,” said Ronald Sensely, program coordinator of athletics.

Brec has been able to open up sports such as basketball league for the youth and adults, Softball for adults that are men, women or co-ed, tackle football for youth, flag football league for men. Most of the leagues had to decrease the number of patrons per building and players. Limiting helps stop the spread of Covid-19 along with a mask mandate in each building for the leagues.

Sensely said, “We had a decrease in participation in youth tackle football this year but every other sport is running as usual.”

Most people have to understand that you are the person that people see daily with issues on and off the field. Brec being able to bring sports back to the basics with BREC with major changes and teach children how to become better at a sport of choice. They also will offer different sports this upcoming year and training to enhance the make-up of what we offer.

Brec also has basketball, football, baseball, lacrosse, softball, boxing, volleyball, soccer, rugby, pickleball, kickball, tennis, golf, and futsal. Although, basketball is the top sport at recreation centers along with softball. Usually, youth sports range from three years to fifteen years old and our adults are eighteen and up.

Rec manager Sydney Parish said, “During a time when everyone’s lives have changed our softball leagues give a sense of normalcy and a way to interact with others in a safe environment.”

Sensley, speaking on what the company does on everyday league games week, stated, “Most typical days consist of meetings with staff members about athletic leagues and events we might have coming up during the week. I usually meet with my full-time staff members every Monday to plan the workweek. I report back to the Director of Special Facilities on any issues or concerns we might have in athletics. They have to make sure that everything is documented and we have officials in place for the games we will host. I also work beside Park Ops to make sure our field maintenance has been done for league play if needed.”

When enforcing new COVD regulations, the staff has to wear masks and enforce the mask mandate. They also have to sanitize after games with max numbers of people in each building. In addition, the staff has to take temperatures and direct people to use hand sanitizer every time they come in. Only a number of people can come in for each game. They are not required to but encouraged to get tested.

Robert Johnson, another rec manager, agreed, saying, “In a year when everything seems difficult and stressful our men’s basketball league allows young men to not only exercise and socialize, but gives them a positive outlet and ease stress.”

Sensley spoke on how he was always into sports as a kid and until college. He was kind of placed into this position but found out quickly that this was where he was supposed to be recreation. He always enjoyed playing and watching sports now it’s my job to do that same thing at BREC.

Sensley explained, “My favorite part about working for BREC is helping the community. I love helping others and I have always wanted to give back to the community in some type of way. BREC has allowed me to be employed and become a public servant to the community, I was born and raised in.”

Sports give the community a chance to release energy and participate in the game they love. Most sports are geared to individual interests, so they are important because they create hobbies or activities for people. During this time people have missed sports entertainment and would love for it to get back out there.

Even though things have changed at BREC, things are still the same with more enforced rules due to the pandemic. BREC is a family-oriented and fair place to play sports. They accept everyone and continue to give affordable opportunities for leagues to youth and adults in the community. Many things have changed with sports probably for a while but there are still leagues and centers like BREC ready to help work around it when the world needs sports more than ever.

“Everything happens and starts at BREC” -BREC, Baton Rouge, La.

Email athletics@brec.org or look on https://www.brec.org/index.cfm/subhome/athletics for information needed.