New state guidance on high school athletics

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New state guidance on high school athletics
Ingersoll Field

New state guidelines have been announced regarding high school athletics and an upgrade of our region to Phase 2 of the Governor’s Healthy Roadmap to Recovery. Based on Department of Health guidance, Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Healthy Washington Sport and Activity Guidelines, and WIAA Return to Play Guidelines, the Olympia School District plans to start WIAA Modified Season 1 sports on Monday, February 1, 2021.

The sports seasons and dates below, subject to change, are as follows:

Adjusted Sports Seasons
OSD will try to have 3 sport seasons between February 1 and the end of the school year.

 

  • Season 1 will:
 Include traditional fall sports: Football, Volleyball, Cross Country, Girls Swimming, Girls Soccer (Exceptions: OHS Golf will be in Season 2, and Boys Tennis will be moved to Season 3). Official practices will begin on February 1.
  • Season 2 will: Include traditional spring sports: Baseball, Fastpitch Softball, Golf, Boys Soccer, Girls Tennis, Track & Field, and Boys Swim. Official pre-contest practices are tentatively set to begin on March 15 and end on May 1.

  •  Season 3 will: Include traditional winter sports: Basketball, Bowling, Cheerleading, Dance/Drill, Gymnastics, Boys Tennis and Wrestling. Official pre-contest practices are tentatively set to begin on April 26 and end on June 12.


 

New League
Area schools have temporarily formed a new league (South Sound Conference South) to help teams stay local, which will help with consistency, travel time and the availability to play based on the phase we are in. All schools in the new league are in the same region. The South Sound Conference South will include Yelm, Capital, Olympia, North Thurston, River Ridge and Timberline high schools. Sport seasons will be modified and teams will compete only within our region at this time.

Student Athletes
Students planning to play in Season 1 should complete the sports clearance registration online via FamilyID, so they are able ready to go on the first day. Information is also available on the Sports Clearance Process webpage on the district website. The district has decreased the Pay to Play fee from $125 to $60 during this pandemic. Due to COVID uncertainty, athletic fees will not be applied or collected until the first official game has occurred.

Due to COVID-19, spectators will not be permitted for Season 1 at this time. Schools are currently working on ways to stream and broadcast home games. More information will be provided as soon as it is available.

In the midst of this incredibly challenging time, we would like to thank our coaches and athletic directors for their steadfast commitment and efforts to provide opportunities to our student athletes with safety at the forefront.

We recognize the many social, emotional and physical benefits for students who participate in education-based sports and activities and look forward to having our student athletes and coaches back on campus. OSD is committed to doing so safely, as DOH and WIAA guidelines allow.