The provincial body governing school sports has cancelled its fall calendar of playoffs, but that might not prevent school sports entirely.
Then again, it might. So far, it’s unclear.
On Wednesday, the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) posted a statement to say it was cancelling 2020 fall championships and festivals that were scheduled for October and November.
School sports, particularly secondary school sports, are part of the OFSAA programming and the competitive structure is geared toward championship events hosted by OFSAA.
“The decision is in alignment with the province’s Stage 3 reopening regulations,” stated the notice posted by OFSAA on Twitter. “Those regulations apply a number of restrictions to sports and recreation activities that ultimately prohibit the possibility of an OFSAA event.”
Last year, Collingwood Collegiate Institute's cross-country running team had one of its best seasons in history with top-ten finishes at the OFSAA provincial championship event. That event is usually hosted in November, which means it's one of the championships cancelled this year. Football is also a fall season sport.
A statement issued by the Simcoe County District School Board noted area schools would resume physical education classes but those classes would include limited sharing of equipment and only activities that support physical distancing.
The board said it was waiting on OFSAA before it made a decision regarding school sports.
Since the OFSAA announcement, the board has still not made a decision on school sports.
“[We] are working with our partners at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit to determine the possibility of fall sports in our elementary and secondary schools,” read a statement provided by Sarah Kekewich, the board’s communication officer, in response to inquiries from CollingwoodToday.
Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, said some sports and other extracurricular activities such as music will be problematic where physical distancing is not possible.
“In an ideal world, we’d be able to do all those things because they’re certainly good for children,” said Gardner. “We need to strike a balance and do what we can that’s safe while taking our precautions.”
OFSAA also stated the status of the 2021 winter and spring championships will be determined later.
Simcoe Muskoka District Catholic School Board officials have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the OFSAA announcement.
Today, Premier Doug Ford did announce some loosening of provincial restrictions on sports, fitness, and recreation facilities.
Beginning Saturday, facilities can have up to 50 patrons for each indoor sport or fitness room.
Also today, Collingwood announced it is reopening Central Park Arena as of Monday, but the town is limiting the number of people allowed on the ice to 25 people. The town is only permitting training and has prohibited gameplay of any kind.
