NJSIAA released an update on the Fall sports season on July 10th. NJSIAA has decided to delay the start of the season to September 14th. Below is information from their recent memo. With this new condensed fall season, each individual sport’s game schedule will be updated over the next month.
Based on these new dates, Aspen will be open for Fall sports registration from Monday, July 20th to Friday, August 21st. More information on sports registration will be sent on July 20th. If your child’s physical exam will expire by September 14, 2020 (physicals are only valid for 365 days), you will need to provide a new physical to the health office by August 27th, the first day of school.
From NJSIAA Memo –
Model 1 – Delayed Fall Season:
|
Sport |
Practice Date |
Regular Season Start |
Regular Season Finish |
Post-Season Dates |
|
Girls Tennis |
Sept. 14 |
Sep. 28 |
Oct. 23 |
Oct. 26 – Oct. 31 |
|
Football |
Sept. 14 |
Oct. 2 |
Nov. 7 |
Nov. 13– Nov. 22 |
|
All other sports |
Sept. 14 |
Oct. 1 |
Nov. 12 |
Nov. 13 – Nov. 22 |
Model 1 Rationale:
The Task Force recognizes that returning to school is the main priority and that all student-athletes should acclimate to the classroom before they begin their fall sports season. By delaying the start of practices until after the school year begins, schools will have the opportunity to open their buildings and work through the logistics of their modified school day before extra-curricular activities start. By reducing the length of the season, student-athletes will not only have the opportunity for participation but will have more time to focus on their academic requirements. Leagues and conferences have the ability to amend their schedules for regular season competitions with a focus on keeping athletics local. There is no model that eliminates all risks, but a reduced season will naturally lead to a reduced amount of competition, which minimizes the risk of infection or spread by exposure to many different teams and schools.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every school district differently. This fall season will focus on providing athletic opportunity, engagement and participation – not winning championships. In order to focus on the Restart of School and to level the playing field athletically, there will be no state-wide, post-season competition under this delayed start model.
Virtual Contact Period:
From Saturday, August 29th, through Sunday, September 13th, FALL coaches only may have virtual contact with their student-athletes. Therefore, there may be no in-person practices, scrimmages or games during this time.
