Dublin Mid-West TD, Deputy Emer Higgins has called on the Taoiseach to engage with Sport Ireland to ensure those who play underage sport can continue to train and play matches indoors. This comes amidst Sport Ireland’s new covid-19 guidelines which require anyone playing indoor sports to be fully vaccinated or have a valid covid-19 certificate.
Deputy Higgins said these new regulations were having adverse effects on underage players in local clubs such as the Liffey Celtics Basketball Club and the Dublin Lions based in Lucan and Clondalkin. Raising the issue in the Dáil, Deputy Higgins told the Taoiseach: “It’s a matter that’s been brought to my attention by many constituents across Lucan and Clondalkin, and these new regulations mean that only those who can present a valid Covid-19 certificate or proof of recovery from covid can train or play matches indoors. “And that’s regardless of whether a vaccine has been offered to their age cohort,” continued Deputy Higgins.
“The decision has blindsided many younger players and their coaches,” said Deputy Higgins. “And while I fully believe that vaccination is the best way to protect us from Covid-19, it’s unfair to discriminate against children who may not get to make the decision on vaccination for themselves, and particularly those under 12 who do not have the option yet. “They can go to school and to the cinema, they can go dancing or swimming and they can go to restaurants and many other places. So, it’s not fair to single out basketball and other indoor sports in this way.”
“Many local players and parents have been in touch with me about this, a lot of whom have actually made the decision to vaccinate themselves and their children but they feel the regulations are unfair on other children who do not have the option, which I respect,” said Deputy Higgins. “I have asked the Taoiseach to engage with Sport Ireland on this and I believe he will speak to Minister Jack Chambers about it to find a solution for underage players which I hope will be resolved soon,” concluded Deputy Higgins.
