Article content
It is great to see residents highlighting the health benefits of racquet sports as well as facility supply issues recently in The Province.
Article content
Racquet sports are fun, and a 25-year Danish study with 8,577 participants showed life longevity improvements of 6.2 years for badminton and 9.7 years for tennis players. TO national sports organization is highlighting this benefit to encourage additional courts.
The tennis life longevity benefits would not be astonishing to the 97-year-oldplaying since age 30, who was recently hitting with Rafael Nadal.
The Danish study in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings felt that greater social interaction is involved in prolonging life. That the long-term benefits occur with physical activity providing cardiovascular and other health benefits, while group play provides a well-being benefit through a sense of support, trust, and commonality.
Article content
We need our local municipalities to provide for sufficient racquet sport courts to minimize conflicts, to not sacrifice tennis courts, and to provide for the play and social needs of pickleball players as both. Tennis BC and Pickleball BC recommend. It is encouraging to see a recent request to provide an opportunity for players’ voices to be heard.
Bruce Kennedy, Pharmacist, Coquitlam
Where is the middle ground?
I am dismayed by the forced polarization of Canada. A case in point is the ongoing trucker protests. People debate deploying the military onto the streets of our cities. Have we not progressed beyond the North West Rebellions, Winnipeg General Strike, FLQ Crisis, and Oka? Are we unable to even speak with those holding opposing views without civil unrest? Canada has always been a country of the middle. Must we allow our country to turn into a battleground for an equally extreme left and right?
Article content
James AtkinsonCrofton
Don’t call yourself a ‘Freedom Convoy’
As I continue to watch the news showing convoys of trucks and various supporters clogging city streets, waving inverted Canadian flags, and worse, I am reminded of those who went to war to give these people the right to protest. I don’t think they sacrificed so that mindless people can desecrate statues and dishonor the very symbols of that sacrifice.
I wear a mask, where mandated, because I believe the science. Plus, I have enough respect for others that I try to keep them safe as well. When I voice my opinion, I do it respectfully, often vocally, but never in a manner that puts others at risk, or brings shame to the concept of free speech, or infringes on the rights of others to also express their opinions.
Don’t call yourself a “Freedom Convoy” if you’re willing to take away the freedoms of others, and disrespect the flag which my father fought under, or wave swastikas, and Confederate flags, while purporting to love free speech and democracy.
You can’t have it both ways!
Dave Townsend, Chilliwack