By Diana Skoglund
School District 73 Elementary Sports Council has reconsidered their initial decision that focused on volleyball intramural play and students’ skill development rather than inter-school competition.
“Due to increased interest from schools and recent lessening in COVID-19 cases in elementary schools, the Sports Council Executive has decided to provide the option of inter-school volleyball games for those schools who are interested,” said Grant Reilly, Assistant Superintendent for Early Learning and Elementary Education.
Any decisions to play inter-school games are school decisions only, in consultation with staff and each school’s community.
Elementary athletic programs are run through volunteer staff, principals, parents, and community coaches/officials so stringent safe play COVID-19 protocols and registration guidelines have been created from Interior Health and K-12 Education sector guidelines to keep all parties safe and ensure transmission rates remain low.
For instance, all spectators must sanitize upon entry into the host school and will be required to sign in. Masks will be mandatory for all spectators, coaches, and officials. Athletes may remove masks during gameplay, but must be worn upon entry, during warm-up, and on the bench. During gameplay, teams will not switch sides and will stay on the same bench for the entire match. Furthermore, teams will not shake hands at the conclusion of the match.
“I am grateful for the flexibility that school principals and teacher sports representatives have already shown in providing a choice for students,” said Reilly.
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