Winter sports season pushed back two weeks
The move from Nov. 16 to Nov. 30 was made in anticipation for the fall season to be completed
The NY State Public High School Athletic Association says the start of winter practice will move from Nov. 16to Nov. 30.
As the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s COVID-19 Task Force prepares guidance for the return of fall sports, the association announced Monday it has pushed back the start of the winter season.
Association officers voted to delay the start of winter practice two weeks, from Nov. 16 to Nov. 30, in anticipation of allowing schools and sections to complete the fall season.
The Task Force met Monday to review guidance from the New York Department of Health. The group plans to release on Friday, Sept. 4, a comprehensive document with guidance for schools to utilize in preparation for the start of fall sports, scheduled for Sept. 21.
NYSPHSAA officers Monday voted to revise the number of required practices for fall sports (12 for football and 10 for all others). They also waived the seven-consecutive-day rule, effective Oct. 12.
In accordance with state guidance issued last week, the assocation will adhere to teams not playing out of the region until Oct. 19 and will continue to consider high-risk sports football and volleyball as fall sports, thus eliminating moving them to the spring. Both sports are allowed to practice beginning Sept. 21, but are prohibited from competition until New York State officials grant authorization.
“Unfortunately all sports will look different and participation will not be the same as it was a year ago, but students will have the chance to represent their school, be around their friends and coaches, and experience a sense of normalcy this fall,” NYSPHSAA Executive Director. Dr. Robert Zayas said. “It is critical that student-athletes be leaders in their schools and communities and strictly abide by COVID-19 safety protocols.”
With these decisions, the association is still gearing up for a fall sports season. The NYSPHSAA officers issued a caveat, though.
“If the fall sports seasons are interrupted or impacted by the COVID-19 crisis (i.e. state official guidance, school closings, etc.), then a condensed-seasons plan could still be implemented,” a statement from the association read. “That decision will be made by the NYSPHSAA officers with the information available at that time.”
The condensed-seasons option is overlapping seasons that would not begin until Jan. 4. In this scenario, winter sports would be Jan. 4-March 13, fall sports would be played from March 1-May 8 and the spring season from April 5-June 12.