Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many major changes in day to day life. There are a lot of different opinions on how the country should “re-open,” and how institutions and activities should be conducted. One area that has been particularly controversial is sports. From the pro leagues to the youth recreational level, questions have arisen as to whether or not sports should take place this year.
At Needham High School, the fall sports of golf, soccer, field hockey, and cross country are currently happening. However, the games people have grown to love now have new rules and regulations. Here are some of the rule changes:
Soccer:
All players must wear a mask, both during practices and games
No heading
Goalkeepers cannot punt, throw, or kick past mid-field
Kick-ins opposed to throw-ins; kick-ins operate as an indirect kick
Indirect kicks must be played on the ground
Corner kicks may not be served into the box
No initiated contact (accidental contact is okay, but players cannot intentionally shoulder other players)
Some venues do not allow, or limit the number of, spectators
Field Hockey:
All players must wear a mask, both during practices and games
The game is now 7v7 instead of 11v11
No corner kicks
Some venues do not allow, or limit the number of, spectators
Cross Country:
All runners must wear masks during practices
Practice groups are reduced to six to ten people
Male and female runners are separated most of the time
For races, runners are only required to wear a mask at the start and when passing someone else
To minimize contact, more heats of each event with reduced numbers of participants take place
Many people are not happy with the decision regarding high school sports, as they believe that sports should not be happening right now given the seriousness of the pandemic. Those opposed to the high school sports season happening point out that other, more “COVID-responsible” activities have been canceled. Some people have gone so far as to report athletes they deem are not following protocols.
Still, most coaches and athletes insist that playing sports during the pandemic is more important than ever. Mr. Tarabelli, NHS girls’ soccer coach, believes that sports provide a sense of normalcy for kids during these unprecedented times. Ms. Magni, the field hockey coach, adds that “some of these players rely heavily on sports to help keep them organized and in routine.”
The current sports season is perhaps most valuable to the seniors. Ace Wainwright, the girl’s varsity soccer goalkeeper, states:
“It’s my last year and ending my high school experience without soccer would make the year feel incomplete. Each year I always remembered the seniors being celebrated and focused on. I always looked forward to when that would be me, and COVID almost got in the way of that.”
While the new rules make the sports seem like entirely different games, Coach Magni says that “so much has been taken away from these athletes, [so] any opportunity to play is worth it.”