LATHAM – The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc., (NYSPHSAA) announces high risk sports have been authorized by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to begin practice and competition on February 1, 2021 if permitted by the respective local health authorities.
On Friday afternoon, the NYSDOH released updated Interim Guidance for Sports and Recreation During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. On page 5 of the document it states, “Effective February 1, 2021, participants in higher risk sports and recreation activities may partake in individual or distanced group training and organized no/low-contact group training and, further, may partake in other types of play, including competitions and tournaments, only as permitted by the respective local health authorities (i.e., county health departments).”
“We are extremely thankful to Governor Cuomo and the New York State Department of Health for providing authorization for all sports to begin,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “I am thrilled our association’s member schools will be able to provide over two hundred thousand students with valuable and beneficial participation experiences. Today is certainly a great day for the students of New York State.”
Local coaches were very pleased with the announcement.
"I'm ecstatic with Governor Cuomo's decision to let the student athletes get in a winter season," Catskill girls basketball coach Chris Quinn said. "Our coaching staff and girls have been chomping at the bit. The girls have been doing conditioning on their own and we made a virtual playbook, so the girls have been seeing our offenses and defenses in 3D. They get their nightly quiz, so we know they're ready to go."
"It’s an early birthday present! Coxsackie-Athens wrestling coach Ryan Palmer said. "Looking forward to it. Our kids are ecstatic, and I know there is a lot to plan this week ahead!"
"I’m very excited especially for our players and eight seniors in particular," Greenville boys basketball coach Dane Carpenter said. "They just really want to play and deserve to."
On Monday, January 25 NYSPHSAA will release an updated Return to Interscholastic Athletics resource document for winter sports and Fall Season II.
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