Today we are excited to be officially opening registration for the 2020/21 Spring Sports Season. As has been explained on this blog throughout the year- and has been experienced by hundreds of student athletes this fall, winter and fall 2 seasons, this season will look different than any seasons these sports have had in past years. Due to the guidelines set by the state, DESE, MIAA and through decisions at both the Hockomock League and local level, we will be offering the following sports this Spring season:
- Softball
- Baseball
- Boys Tennis
- Girls Tennis
- Girls Track and Field
- Boys Track and Field
- Boys Lacrosse
- Girls Lacrosse
- Competition Cheer
- Wrestling (not yet approved as a sport by MIAA)
- Unified Track & Basketball (sign-ups begin last month)
Registration information for our Spring season can be found at the bottom of this blog entry. However, it is important that all CHS Spring season families read important details below PRIOR to registering.
Spring SEASON DATES- The first day of the season is EXPECTED to be Monday, April 26, 2021. First contest are EXPECTED to take place during the week of May 3, 2021. The season is expected to wrap up in late June.
The sports that we are able to offer this Spring season will all play under new, modifications and guidelines. Highlights of these guidelines include:
- All participants must wear a face covering at all times (this includes during play)
- All participants must complete a Covid-19 screening daily.
- Limited locker rooms or changing rooms will be made available. All equipment must be taken home nightly and student athletes must arrive and depart CHS in their training attire.
- There are strict limitations as to how many student athletes may train together on one field/court etc. This could result in roster limitations.
- No more than 23 people may be on a school bus. This has caused us to temporarily amend our transportation policy.
Details of our guidelines as well as sport specific modifications to our sports can be found at the links below. WE HIGHLY SUGGEST that ALL CHS Spring student athletes and families read these carefully prior to registering.
The CHS Athletic Department has been working hard to institute practices, guidelines and protocols that will ensure the safest possible experience for our student athletes under these circumstances. We are incredibly confident that we are ready to provide an educational, competitive and SAFE/HEALTHY interscholastic athletic experience for all of our SpringBulldogs, just as we have all year long.
ATHLETIC USER FEE- Due to all of the changes associated with this season's athletic experience, the CPS School Committee approved an adjustment to the user fee for this past fall season. The fee to play a Spring sport is $160. You have the option to pay the fee as you register online, but you don't have to. You can always go back and register in the week or so after tryouts.
ROSTER SIZES- It is always our goal to get as many students involved in our programs as is possible while still providing a great educational experience. We will be guided by that again this season. However, due to guidelines related to Covid-19, roster sizes for all sports will be limited. Once we have a list of registered student athletes, we will look at how we can structure our rosters (including tryouts) to meet all health and safety guidelines.
PHYSICAL EXAMS- It is an MIAA rule that in order to be eligible to participate in Interscholastic Athletics in Massachusetts, we must have a physical exam form on record in the CHS Athletic Office. The exam is only valid for 13 months from the date it was performed. We understand that many doctors' offices struggled to maintain their exam schedules last spring/summer and many held exams using tele-health. Unfortunately, the Mass Dept. of Public Health has ruled that virtual physicals are not acceptable to clear a student athlete for athletic participation. Acceptable physical reports may be emailed to the athletic office or uploaded as part of the FamilyID registration process.
TRANSPORTATION Policy- CHS has made a temporary change to our policy on transportation to/from away athletic contests. As has always been the case, CHS will provide bus transportation to/from away contests. However, this season- parents/guardians may grant permission (as part of the online registration process explained below) for their student athlete to be transported to/from away contests in two additional ways:
- Parent/Guardian or immediate, household family member may transport them.
- Legally licensed student athlete may transport themselves and any siblings.
Note- A student athlete who has been granted permission for the alternative transportation, may take the bus to some contests while not using it for others.
REGISTRATION- Online registration will be open from Monday, April 5th thru Wednesday, April 14th. NO LATE registrations will be accepted as once we identify those looking to tryout for teams, we will begin planning for how to safely run these tryouts/practices given the number of student athletes interested. A parent/guardian must register a student athlete during the registration window. To register- visit our registration page of the CHS Athletics Website.
QUESTIONS/CONCERNS- If you have any questions about CHS Athletics or registration for fall sports in particular, don't hesitate to contact us at ericksond@cantonma.org, 781-821-5050 x6.
GO DOGS!
