Jacksonville Fl- It’s been a long spring and summer for high school athletes in Northeast Florida. The Covid-19 pandemic halted all sports activities in mid-March, cancelling games, practices, and team activities of every sport. However, Duval County unveiled their safety plan for athletes to return this week and it involves three phases.
- Phase One — Begins June 15 and will focus on conditioning
- Phase Two — Expected to begin June 29 and will include weightlifting
- Phase Three — Expected to begin July 13 and will mark the return to actual practices
Several expectations and guidelines for implementing the conditioning program are listed in hopes of reducing the risk of COVID-19 spread. Guidelines include:
- Total group size will not exceed 20 (for example, 18 students with two coaches).
- Groups should be the same individuals, including coaches, for each session to limit exposure. Student-athletes and/or coaches CANNOT change groups.
- Sessions are one hour long with 15 minutes scheduled between groups to allow for exiting the facility.
- No Friday, Saturday or Sunday workouts.
- Temperature checks will be taken as athletes arrive to each session.
- A mask is required for student-athletes and staff entering and exiting the facility and is encouraged during activity breaks.
- Shirts with sleeves must be worn at all times — no tank tops.
- No spectators allowed.
- All student-athletes must bring their own water bottle and towel — no use of water fountains, water coolers, or water cows.
- Locker rooms will not be available or open.
- A designated restroom will be available. All other facilities will be closed.
- Coaches are also required to keep thorough attendance records to support contact tracing if necessary.
Athletes and coaches in the area are eager to get back to the sports they love so well. New Fletcher High School Football Head Coach Bobby Raulerson knows how important it is to establish a connection with his team. ” We’ve been having virtual zoom meetings and that’s been great, admittedly the lack of spring football and off-season workouts has made it hard to establish a closer connection with players so hopefully we can come up with a safe solution for the kids to return”.
Some parents seem to be torn over the decision. Said Kendra Green whose son plays football, “I’m kinda on the fence about them returning, although I know he (my son) is excited about getting back to working out”.
Districts around the area will be rolling out plans to resume as the season approaches. One thing is for certain, the kids are eager, excited and ready to go.
