SHSAA reveals updated return-to-play plan

High school sports will look different this year.

The Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association released its latest return-to-play plan last week.

“It is safe to say that school sport, as we knew it, may not be possible until such a time there is a vaccine or cure for COVID-19. In the meantime, efforts are being made to continue to achieve the objectives of school sport by supporting our members, schools, student athletes, school staff, coaches, and officials,” the SHSAA said in the plan.

Cross-country, soccer and football are all set to begin practising next Monday. Volleyball is set to begin on Oct. 13.

The SHSAA also revealed the dates for the remaining sports:

• Curling (Current season of play: Nov. 9 to March 6)
• Wrestling (Current season of play: Nov. 23 to March 6)
• Basketball (Current season of play: Nov. 23 to March 27)
• Badminton (Current season of play: Feb. 1 to May 8)
• Track and field (Current season of play: March 29 to June 5)

Golf has been cancelled.

The SHSAA said the plan is dependent on five factors: The general state of health in the province as outlined by chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab; the willingness of schools, staff, parents, SHSAA members and the Education Response Planning Team to allow the participation of students in sport; the willingness of staff, students, coaches, officials and volunteers to participate in sport; the availability of cleaning and maintenance of the facilities and equipment; and, modifications to the activities to meet the criteria established by the first four points.

Like other sports in the province, there is a 50-person limit on mini-leagues in which teams can participate. Football, due to the size of the rosters, has been given permission from the province for that to increase to 80. Spectators won’t be allowed at the events.

There won’t be any out-of-province tournaments and provincials are also up in the air.

Mask use is encouraged by participants in training situations where physical distancing is not always maintained, by participants when they’re not actively involved in the competition, by coaches, team personnel, on-site support staff and officials, and in schools where the school or school division policy mandates mask use.

Athletes will be asked to arrive at the area only about five to 10 minutes before training or competition. They are asked to arrive in uniform and ready to play.

The SHSAA has created five stages of its plan.

The first stage is about education of what the season could look like. Stage 2 is set to begin on Monday with the resumption of outdoor activities.

The full plan can be found online.