High school teams wait, hope playoffs not derailed
High school basketball players in Saskatchewan — their collective fingers and toes crossed — face an agonizing waiting game.
The ball is not in their court, yet the shot-clock time is running out.
Students can only hope the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) and provincial government can reach some sort of resolution to allow sanctions, preventing extracurricular high school activities from continuing past Wednesday, to be lifted.
“It really is (a waiting game),” acknowledged Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association executive director Lyle Mckellar, who was contacted by phone Tuesday after the SHSAA had sent out a news release.
“The statement that was put out was kind of where we’re at with things — we really don’t have anything else, or a role to play, or anything like that. We’re just waiting for Wednesday, 3:30 (p.m.) to find out what’s going to happen.”
Saskatoon Marion Graham High School vice-principal and Falcons basketball coach David Earl sits on the SHSAA executive council, which met Monday evening to review past scenarios where teacher-government contract negotiations have affected SHSAA activities and championships.
“Fingers crossed, for sure,” Earl said. “There isn’t anybody in the province who is wanting to take anything away from kids, and so our hope is that the two sides can get back at it and do what is necessary to be done so that sanctions don’t have to happen.
“Fingers crossed is a great way to put it.”
Mckellar added that they hope to do a followup, with positive news, once the 3:30 p.m. deadline passes.
“Hopefully it’s all the positive things that have happened, and if not, we’ll be (acting on) what was in the statement (Tuesday).”
In a statement released on Tuesday, the SHSAA revealed that, if efforts between the two bargaining committees fail to result in sanctions being lifted before 3:30 p.m. Wednesday March 11, “all remaining basketball playoffs will be cancelled due to the lack of teacher involvement in the events, the loss of the qualification process, and the constraints for schools and host sites in planning and preparing for the events.
“It will be most unfortunate if the two sides cannot come to an arrangement that will allow the sanctions to be lifted,” the statement read.
STF job action was announced Monday morning in response to the failed bargaining talks with the provincial government.
The STF has been embroiled in contract negotiations with the government trustee bargaining committee, which represents the provincial government and all Saskatchewan school divisions. The STF represents all teachers, principals, vice-principals, instructional consultants and co-ordinators.
The STF announced sanctions that would restrict services beginning Thursday. That would see extracurricular activities cancelled, including all practices, games, tournaments, drama and music-related activities, and school clubs.
When it comes to high school sports, everything left on the 2020 calendar is now in jeopardy.
Heilman said the SSSAD will continue with Saskatoon city basketball playoffs both Tuesday night and Wednesday night for its premiere and championship divisions, but anything beyond that would be decided following the Shsaa-imposed Wednesday afternoon deadline.