By Lylyan Yenson
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced on Dec. 1 that full practices and competitions for high school fall sports will be postponed until at least Jan. 1, 2021.
CIF stated that the recent surge in COVID-19 infections led the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to delay its update on youth sports guidance.
Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) Athletics Director Roger Holmes gave more details on the situation.
“Postponement means the season calendars are still in place and if health guidelines do not allow us to play, then our seasons will be shortened,” Holmes said. “Their seasons have not been canceled, they have been pushed back on the calendar.”
Athletics at FVHS are currently still in practice but focus more on conditioning and skill work due to COVID-19 restrictions that limit player interaction. Until the CDPH relays new information and guidelines, practice will continue following COVID-19 guidelines. Competitions and tournaments are postponed in the meantime, but CIF and the CDPH have released information on when competing may be allowed.
“[FVHS and our district] have been going over scheduling adjustments and making plans for the different scenarios that may come up,” Holmes said.
Despite the hope that competitions aren’t canceled altogether but are simply pushed back, many athletes and coaches struggle with the various changes made.
”The continuing moving date for when actual competitions can take place makes it difficult to motivate my athletes to keep them sharp,” varsity cross county coach Steven Knowles said. “That being said, they are doing an incredible job and we have a very competitive team. Our school should be very proud of them.”
The disappointment from administrators, coaches, parents and students is evident under the strain, Holmes said, but there is a shared understanding that everyone’s health must be prioritized.
“We are hoping, for our athletes and coaches, that things turn for the better and we can get back to competitions,” Holmes said.
