Game on: High School sports returning in November
After sitting on the sidelines for nearly two years, high school sports are set to return in Windsor-Essex.
The Windsor Essex County Secondary Schools Athletic Association cleared the final hurdle Monday night.
“You can kind of feel it at this time that our student athletes are getting ready for this,” says Jim Kittl, WECSSAA president.
“Getting kids back actively involved in things is something that’s good for them.”
League play will not begin before Nov. 22, but practices can begin immediately as long as all athletes have followed the vaccination requirements.
“Our first focus in November is really on girls’ basketball and boys’ volleyball,” says Kittl.
“Then the traditional winter sports such as boys and girls hockey, wrestling and we’re still not sure about swimming. I'm not sure about the protocols with the pools around town. Those are the ones that can also go at this time.”
Golf, cross country and tennis can be tabled until the Spring.
“I have a feeling cross country’s going to find a way to partner up with track so that those athletes can find an experience for themselves there,” Kittl says.
Schools have posted sign-up sheets for student athletes and are responsible for making their own teams based on the amount of interest.
“After it got shut down in grade 10, I was pretty disappointed. Like, I got my track season cut short but after the announcement that it’s coming back it’s been pretty exciting,” says Johnathan Lariviere, a Grade 12 student athlete at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School.
Fans will not be allowed to attend games and coaches will have to wear masks.
Convenor meetings will take place the week of Nov. 8 and game schedules will be released shortly after.
“By having sports coming back it’s giving us a chance to make connections with all of our new students that have come in, giving us a chance to support our teams and really exuberant that school spirit,” says Jada Malott, a student athlete at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit suspended extra-curricular activities at the start of the school year to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Virtual is still an option for some clubs but if they wanna meet in person they have to follow the same protocols as everybody else,” Kittl tells CTV News.
Students, staff and officials who are fully vaccinated can resume participation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.