CIF pushes competition start date to January 2021

High school sports season still on hold until the next school year, traditional fall sports able to still condition until further notice

By: Krissy Hetherington

Since no competition has been played within Visalia Unified School District since March 13th, Redwood has adjusted to COVID guidelines in order to prepare for a season that still may not happen this year.

Already 5 months into the new school year, the traditional fall sports, Cross Country, Girls’ Tennis, Girls Golf, Water polo, Football, and Volleyball, have been pushed back into the winter season and it is now considered Season 1.

All other sports will be combined into Season 2. There is no restriction on student athletes playing more than 1 sport during Season 2.

On December 1st, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), released a new public media statement declaring “Due to the continued surge in COVID-19 infections, the California Department of Public Health has postponed the issuance of its updated youth sports guidance. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) does not expect the CDPH will issue any guidance allowing for schools to return to full practice and competition until after January 1, 2021, at the earliest. Thus, all full practice and competition start dates are officially on hold until updated guidance is issued.”

Within this statement, the CIF has also officially canceled Regional and State playoff seasons in order to ensure teams get a longer regular season with Section Championships being the final destination.

Due to Tulare County’s stagnant position in the Purple tier, teams have been held to very strict guidelines as to what they can and can’t do during their conditionings.

This is the new Athletic Director, Michael Wright’s first year at Redwood which he’s spent visiting every practice everyday, readjusting schedules practically everyday, and virtually communicating with coach’s and athletes as much as he can.

 It is very frustrating for me.  I am trying to learn a new job and the way we do things here at Redwood and in Visalia Unified but since it is not a normal year it is difficult because we are not doing anything like we normally would.  As far as constantly adjusting, that is kind of what you do in education anyway so that part while frustrating, I am used to.  This is a tough time to start a new AD job because one can not really do the job as they normally would…there are a lot of “No we cant do that” and that is a negative way to establish relationships with coaches…I want to be positive and supportive but with all the restrictions it is hard because everyone is pushing the rules to get to some sense of normality and the word “No” is used way too often.”

Redwood Athletic Director, Mr. Wright

His initial reaction to the latest CIF was “Disappointment and frustration.  Our coaches and athletes are working hard and want to play so these setbacks are disappointing and frustrating, although there is nothing we can do about it.”

Since teams have been conditioning since October, nothing changes as of right now. The statement doesn’t affect their conditionings but rather the progress in transitioning into official practices.

“Basically all athletic scrimmages and contests for December and early January are going to have to be canceled along with officials and transportation.  As far as making up or rescheduling the canceled games, we do not know if the season will be pushed back so not sure there will be enough time. So we are just waiting,” assures Mr. Wright.

The waiting game has become normal for everyone now but the hardest part for Wright is the feeling of helplessness.

“It is very difficult for me because everyone is looking to me for answers that I simply can not provide.  It is extremely frustrating to not be able to provide any answers to [players, coaches, and parents],” he says.

But on the other hand, he is looking to the positive side that kids are able to still stay in shape in a controlled environment with their teams. They can still get that sense of comradery and focus on simply getting better and working hard. It’s at least something for right now.

Within the Redwood Athletics program, there have been very few students test positive for COVID-19. But let it be noted that these students did not contract it from conditioning but rather personal gatherings or within their own families. Therefore, there have been no “outbreaks” on the teams affecting multiple kids.

To ensure that an outbreak would not happen, that student who tested positive had to quarantine for 14 as well as their assigned cohort. The student who tested positive could return with a doctor’s note but the cohort could return after the 14 days (with no symptoms).

One suggestion that has been heavily debated is that sports should be evaluated individually as to whether it’s safe to return to practice and competition rather than evaluated as just a part of a whole season.

Sports less populated and traditionally more safe and spread out such as Golf, Tennis, and Cross Country could return much sooner than other contact sports or those held indoors.

Wright adds this on the subject, “That is a tough one there.  You want equity and fairness but the reality of it is sports like cross country, tennis, and golf are all outside and can stagger starts so competitors are socially distanced so maybe they should be given a chance to participate.  It is just tough for other sports.”

Ultimately, he hopes that the vaccine will help speed up the return process and also mentions “I would like to see us follow what other states have done that returned to sports.  They have seen many positive effects with sports return and I think we could do it safely like many other states have.”

Wright would like to conclude with:

“I would just like the community and athletes to know that while we desperately want to return to normal and playing games we really are taking their safety seriously and do not want to put anyone at risk.  While the effects of COVID are not as sever for student aged people we are not willing to take any chances and we simply do not know enough about this and need to defer to experts in the area to ensure we are doing what is in everyone’s best interest.  I want everyone to know we are going to keep working towards a return and preparing as if everything is  moving forward and we will make the adjustments that are necessary.”

Stay tuned with the Redwood Gigantea for more updates on this story soon.

Tags: CIF, Redwood, redwood athletics, redwood gigantea