ATHLETICS RETURN TO PLAY

After consultations with AHS and other organizations; an EPSB committee has decided to allow Athletics to return to high schools in a test phase starting this week. This is exciting news, but it comes with many questions and policies that need to be followed in order to keep our entire M.E. LaZerte community safe.

At this time, outside teachers/volunteers/coaches are still prohibited from entering the school. These outside volunteers are an integral part of our Athletics programs and this will have an impact on what we are able to offer. Currently, there will be no competition outside of the school cohort. These items are being revisited in the future and information will be relayed to us at the appropriate times.

The decision has been made to begin our return to play at M.E. LaZerte with volleyball skill development, cross-country running and swimming (dryland training). Further decisions will be relayed to the school community through the school website, social media (@sconaathletics on Instagram), and morning announcements.

We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding.

The following information covers only Fall sports (Quarter 1 and 2). We will update you with further information when it is released. Please note that due to the pandemic and unexpected way in which it affects our school community, all information here can be changed without notice. For most up to date athletics information, please follow the M.E. LaZerte Athletics Instagram account (@melathletics). We also encourage parents and students to become familiar with the Government of Alberta’s COVID-19 Guidance for Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation - Stage 2 (updated September 3, 2020). If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact riley.carleton@epsb.ca or kevin.macalpine@epsb.ca

VOLLEYBALL: (October 1st - November 2nd)

We have sent out a sport application for students to sign up for volleyball tryouts. Information can be found on the M.E. LaZerte Athletics Instagram page (@melathletics). If you have questions please contact riley.carleton@epsb.ca or kevin.macalpine@epsb.ca

The permission form can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PRaavFkULIeETXJJVARvFVDWusxSzHxCmClWH1Q1NU0/edit?usp=sharing

We will start off with tryouts on October 1st for all athletes. We will be narrowing it down to 44 athletes (22 boys and 22 girls) and they will be in a co-ed cohort. The main focus will be skill development as well as mini games within the cohort. For the games, Coed teams will be created based on ability, with a combination of athletes from each division. For the tryout, each athlete will receive a written name tag with a number. Name tag will go on left shoulder and athlete will sit by assigned number on the gymnasium wall.

Sessions 3:45 - 5:30PM - October 5, 7, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 (first 5 skill development) (last 2 games)

4 courts will be used. Each court will have 6 balls, color coded to the court and sanitizer, spray and cloths

Females will enter through field-facing doors into Elniski; males will enter through field-facing doors into North

A QR code will be scanned for contact tracing. Athletes will fill this out anytime they enter or exit the gym.

Covid protocols will be addressed. Masks will be worn at all times . Hands will be sanitized before and after water and washroom breaks. Balls will be sanitized halfway through practice. Locker rooms may be used for changing; masks must be worn, and lockers may not be used. Bags will be stored on bleachers.

CROSS-COUNTRY: (September 29th - October 12th)

We have sent out a sport application for students to sign up for our running club. Information can be found on the M.E. LaZerte Athletics Instagram page (@melathletics). If you have questions please contact riley.carleton@epsb.ca or kevin.macalpine@epsb.ca

The permission form can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l7OdyX7o6xo_r6QOmbhgZWttHuGWaFjF1mTimSjDN10/edit?usp=sharing

There will be no tryouts. It will just be a running club. The maximum number of athletes will be 40. The main focus will be just getting out and being active while learning some running skills within the cohort.

There could be opportunity for athletes on their own to go to a course set up by Metro and time themselves if they choose to do so. Parents would have to drive them to the venue and time their own kid. Results would then be sent to metro.

FOOTBALL:

Unfortunately, without the ability to utilize outside coaches, it will be very difficult to offer traditional Football in a safe manner. We are in the process of evaluating our options and working with the Metro association to come up with a possible plan for spring. If you have questions please contact riley.carleton@epsb.ca or kevin.macalpine@epsb.ca

GOLF:

All golf teams and tournaments have been cancelled. There is potential for a spring season.

SWIMMING:

We have sent out a sport application for students to sign up for swimming dryland club. Information can be found on the M.E. LaZerte Athletics Instagram page (@melathletics). If you have questions please contact riley.carleton@epsb.ca or kevin.macalpine@epsb.ca

There is potential for Divisionals and possibly a Championship in late November. Due to the restrictions on outside coaches and extremely limited pool availability, the main focus will be on dryland training. Athletes will be responsible for training in the pool on their own if they choose to do so.

The permission form can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-_C9lcL3hV_EwCzY2DQD2yRnv5LK6KGOYrJkzOKczKQ/edit?usp=sharing

INDOOR SOCCER:

Indoor Soccer has been cancelled.

BASKETBALL:

To date the basketball season has been cancelled. We will continue to wait for updates from AHS and will communicate any new information as we get it.