The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) COVID-19 Task Force unanimously approved all modifications as presented for Fall I Season during a virtual meeting Tuesday, setting the stage for sports to return this fall. The modifications will continue to be reviewed as they relate to current regulations surrounding COVID-19 and may be modified if necessary.
“It’s exciting that student-athletes and coaches from across the Commonwealth are finally able to prepare for an actual athletic season,” said MIAA President and Marshfield Superintendent Jeffrey Granatino. “The work that the MIAA COVID-19 Task Force and our individual sports committees put forth will allow for these sports to take place in a fashion that adheres to the safety precautions/modifications that have been recommended by the EEA.”
The MIAA fall season will officially begin on Sept. 18. Soccer, Fall Gymnastics, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Girls Volleyball, Swim & Dive, Golf and Dance were approved by the Board of Directors for the Fall I season.
Following approval of the new athletic calendar for 2020-2021 last week, individual MIAA sport committee representatives established sport modifications in alignment with guidelines from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the MIAA. These modifications were vetted through the MIAA Sports Medicine Committee (SMC), which includes two epidemiologists who worked with both the EEA and DESE, over a series of three virtual meetings.
“There’s still a great deal of work to do, but the efforts made to date have been amazing and are why we are now able to provide our students with an opportunity to take part in activities that they love and miss dearly,” said Granatino.
“On behalf of the membership, I enthusiastically advance pride and gratitude to MIAA Task Force members, the MIAA Sports Medicine and sport committee representatives for their valuable contributions in providing a blueprint for MIAA student athletes to participate in educational athletics this fall season,” said MIAA Executive Director Bill Gaine. “Stakeholders’ participation, guidance and collaboration with DESE and EEA warrant like appreciation.”
As for the modifications, there are a set of new safety rules that encompass all sports and then there are a set of safety rules for each individual sport.
The all-encompassing rules for the fall season include:
Practice – Coaches are responsible for ensuring social distancing is maintained between players as much as possible. This includes additional spacing between athletes while stretching, warming up, chatting, changing drills, etc. Athletes must maintain spacing, and there should be no congregating of athletes while running drills. Workouts should be conducted in ‘pods’ of athletes, with the same 5-10 athletes always working out together. This ensures more limited exposure if someone develops an infection. Records should be kept of who is in each group, each day.
- Locker Rooms – Locker rooms and changing areas may be used but should be limited to 50 percent capacity. Facility Operators should ensure that users can abide by capacity restrictions and social distancing standards and establish signage and visual guidelines. Signage should remind users to limit time spent in enclosed area. If locker rooms are utilized, staggered use based on time and distance is recommended. When possible, students should report to workouts in proper gear and immediately return home to shower, clean clothing, and equipment at the end of every workout.
- Benches – No benches should be used during practice. Players’ items should be separated as below for personal items, at least 6 feet apart. Benches should be permitted only during games.
- Practice Field – Only essential personnel are permitted on the practice/competition field. These are defined as athletes, coaches, medical personnel/athletic trainers, and officials (competition). All others (i.e. managers, photographers, media, etc.) are considered non-essential personnel and are not to be on the field of play.
- Personal Items – It is recommended that each athlete bring their own gym bag for personal items. All personal items should remain in the gym back when not in use. Gym bags should be placed in a predetermined area 6 feet apart for the duration of practice.
- Huddles – Social distancing (6 feet between individuals) must be maintained, as much as possible, and face coverings utilized when the coach is communicating with the entire team, or in smaller groups. Communicating with smaller groups is preferred.
- Team Handshakes – Athletes shall NOT exchange handshakes before, during or following practices and competitions. Some MIAA sport specific modifications suggest sportsmanship recognition practices which replace handshakes.
- Spectators – Spectators must practice social distancing between different household units and accept personal responsibility for public health guidelines. The number of spectators is determined in compliance with EEA, DESE and DPH guidelines.
- Media – All social distancing and hygiene guidelines for spectators must be followed by media members planning to attend games. Media members should contact host school administrators prior to arriving at games to plan appropriate entry and available workspace.
Information on sport-specific guidelines can be found at miaa.net/miaa/home.
