Broward County Public Schools announced on Sept. 21st that it would slowly start to allow fall sports teams to meet and begin practices for their upcoming seasons. This news comes as students and teachers are preparing to make the shift back to in-person learning beginning this week. Sports teams will have several restrictions to follow to avoid spreading COVID-19.
Athletes must follow the physical distancing guidelines and wear a face covering when activities aren’t in session, at all times. A temperature check and visual inspections will be in place before the student-athletes can participate in team-related activities. It is recommended for athletes to bring water bottles, towels, shoes, and equipment for personal use, and not to share with others.
DBHS has been following the return to sports plan put forward by the Broward County Athletic Association (BCAA). From Sept. 21-25, Deerfield took part in “Phase I” of fall sports reopening. Protocols included outdoor only activities, daily screenings, no personal equipment, and the use of the POD system, which calls for student-athletes to work out in small groups of 10 or less separate from other “pods”.
Phase II began on Sept. 29 and concluded on Oct. 9. Phase II carried nearly all of the same protocols as Phase I, with the exception of limited indoor activities including slow introduction of the weight room and gymnasium. Beginning on Oct. 12, Deerfield entered Phase III, which allows for normal sports practices using equipment. In Phase III, the use of the POD system is now only recommended, not mandatory. Regular temperature screening is also continuing for monitoring purposes. Phase III is set to end on Oct. 23, with regular-season games scheduled to begin on Oct. 26.
Broward County Public Schools has stated that the district will be doing everything in its power to protect student-athletes and coaches during the reopening period and beyond.
“I believe the district is doing its best to protect athletes and coaches given the circumstances. Broward is trying to control as many variables as possible and of course, eliminate as many confounding ones. Compared to other districts we slowly started back with conditioning and practices enforcing facemasks, temperature checks, and limiting the number of students on campus and at conditioning. Many districts did not do this and they had outbreaks within the first week,” said one Deerfield coach, who wished to remain anonymous.
“We have been implementing the BCAA protocols for the past three weeks without incident. If we remain consistent, I think we will be able to minimize the risk of COVID-19 spreading,” said Assistant Athletic Director Joshua Philpart.
Although everyone is hoping for a safe and secure process, doubts remain.
“I feel like right now students are worried about trying out and how it will work. When things start rolling and we get closer to the start of the season, I believe more concerns will come out that need to be addressed,” said the coach.
Fall season sports like cross country, swimming and diving, girls volleyball, and golf should be able to easily socially distance, but football and cheerleading may have a difficult time doing so since they are more contact-oriented sports.
“For now, we are holding off on the actual contact/stunting aspect of cheerleading,” said cheerleading head coach Paula Bailey. “We will have the cheer line spread out even more than before. If [the cheerleaders] must be closer to each other, they will have masks on. We are all just taking this one day at a time and adjusting as needed.” As of now, the cheerleading squad will be present during all home football games. Fans will also be allowed at home games this fall, but intensive social distancing and screening procedures will be required to provide for the safety of all involved.
There is tremendous risk involved with the return to fall sports, but if everyone involved can practice proper COVID-19 prevention strategies, there is a good chance the fall season can take place with limited setbacks.
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