Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Aug. 24 that state athletic teams will be able to begin practicing on Sept. 21 and that some will be allowed to play games soon after.
Cuomo said at his press briefing that “low-risk” sports that BKW offers including soccer, cross country, swimming and golf would be allowed to begin fall activities later next month and then compete locally. Competition would follow a required number of preseason practices for all but golf, which does not mandate them.
Cuomo also said practices for football and volleyball, which are considered “high-risk” sports, can also begin on Sept. 21, but games won’t be allowed to be played until a time to be determined.
“Higher-risk sports, including those with full physical contact, may begin to practice on September 21st but cannot play until a later date or December 31st,” a press release from Gov. Cuomo’s office read. “In accordance with the Department of Health’s guidance for sports and recreation during the COVID-19 public health emergency, practices for higher-risk sports are limited to individual or group, no- to low-contact training. Higher-risk sports include football, wrestling, and volleyball.”
“They’ll get an opportunity to start practicing,” said New York State Public High School Athletic Association Executive Director Robert Zayas, when asked if there was a chance student-athletes that participate in football and volleyball might not play games in the fall season. “The next step is unknown.”
The fall sports start date was originally Aug. 24 before the NYSPHSAA last month pushed it to Sept. 21. High school athletics activities haven’t taken place in New York since early March because of the coronavirus pandemic. The conclusion of several winter-season championship events were canceled, as was the entirety of the spring competition season.
What about BKW fall athletics?
Fall sports sign ups can be found on this website at https://bkwschools-ar.rschooltoday.com
If you need assistance with the registration process, please contact:
Laurie Hilton – Athletic Assistant
Laurie.Hilton@bkwschools.org
(518) 872-1482
Tom Galvin – Athletic Director
Tom.Galvin@bkwschools.org
(518) 872-1482
NYSPHSAA will permit student-athletes to participate in the fall 2020 sports season if they have previously had a health examination for school attendance in the 2018-2019 or 2019-2020 school years. A copy of this physical must be on file with the school nurse.
Student-athletes must also provide a health history completed and signed by the parent/guardian within 30 days of the start of the season. This health history form will be covered during this registration process.
Student-athletes who have not previously had a health examination must still obtain a health examination prior to participation in the fall 2020 sports season. At this time, students should plan to obtain the required health examination prior to participation in the winter or spring 2020-21 seasons, although that may change depending on the status of COVID-19 in the fall. The Athletic Department will provide updated information as needed.
If you have questions regarding physicals, please contact:
Alicia Lounsbury – School Nurse
Alicia.Lounsbury@bkwschools.org
(518) 872-1482