Alicia Macdougall is likely to be one of thousands of Hunter parents looking forward to getting their children back involved in sport.
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The mum of four kept her children as active as possible through the coronavirus shutdown, mainly by shooting hoops at their New Lambton home, but nothing compares to the real thing.
Her four kids are all usually involved with Newcastle Basketball and, after a long break and with the resumption of play in sight, can't wait to return to the court.
"They're really excited to get back," Ms Macdougall said.
"It's been really weird through COVID because we obviously, as a family, do quite a bit with basketball and other sports.
"We've got a basketball ring at home. My eldest Laila, she's pretty dedicated, she would go out most days but the others were a bit hit and miss."
Newcastle Basketball will be one of the first local sporting associations to resume competitions, starting with juniors on Wednesday, July 1. Senior matches will begin the following Monday.
Ms Macdougall said it had been a "big change" not being involved in community sport over the past few months.
She is usually at the basketball stadium in Broadmeadow most days with her children or to play in the women's competition.
Her daughter Laila, 10, is in the Newcastle Hunters under-12 rep team; daughter Evie, 8, is in the Newcastle Basketball Academy; son Wil, 6, is in Aussie Hoops, which is a learn-to-play program for children aged 5-12; and son Nate, 3, is in the Mini Hoops program for toddlers and pre-schoolers aged 3-5.
"Definitely the social aspect they have missed," Ms Macdougall said.
"They've made some really good friends, especially Laila and Evie. It's a really nice community that they get to be a part of."
All community sports at both junior and senior levels can return from July 1.