Professional sports can resume in New Jersey, according to Gov. Phil Murphy, but youth sports are still suspended.

The suspension does not mean that youth athletes are not training – many are taking practice online.

“It just gives them the opportunity to go outside and get physical exercise because now with technology, they would more likely stay home and play video games most of the time,” says Cresskill High School sophomore Christopher Raymond.

Raymond and his brother Cameron both play on the Cresskill High School soccer team. When they heard that there was a lack of parent volunteers for the youth teams in town, they decided to step up by holding Zoom soccer practice.

“I approached the director of the club and he gave me permission to do so,” says Raymond.

The brothers gathered some of their friends to hold the sessions. They say that they have arranged about a dozen attendees in the first two weeks. They say that they hope for more in the future.

 

“When I was younger, I really looked up to the people who were above me, so this really gives us the opportunity to act as that leader,” says senior Jaime Reiner.

The players say that they hope that their story inspires other high school players to take the lead in their own communities to support youth sports.

“We just want to send a message to the other kids to try to encourage them to do the same so they can bring everyone else out and bring the community together,” says Raymond.

The training is held once a week and can be done anywhere outside. The only equipment required is a soccer ball.