BY KAYLA GATES
Cooper City High School student-athletes have once again taken to the fields for the first time since the conclusion of the previous school year. A new decision to commence official practices for the fall athletic season has allowed select sports to return to play once again.
The coronavirus pandemic put a hold on many aspects of everyday life. Among those affected was participation in team sports, particularly those that take place on a school campus. The inability to uphold proper Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health and safety guidelines at the start of the pandemic suspended any possible seasons indefinitely.
As the school year commenced and the community began to resume routine activities, the county made the decision to take a step toward returning to play. In early September, the Broward County Athletic Association (BCAA) announced its decision to start fall athletics. Their proposed plan for fall athletics included a tentative schedule for reopening.
“Broward Schools have identified Monday, September 21 as a potential start date for voluntary workouts for fall sports,” BCPS Superintendent Robert Runcie said. “Workouts will be conducted outdoors only for the first week and during the second week conditioning will continue outside and gradually phase into gyms and weight rooms.”
“Broward Schools have identified Monday, September 21 as a potential start date for voluntary workouts for fall sports.”
BCPS Superintendent Robert Runcie
Under the county’s recommendation, phase one began on September 21 with the allowance of elective conditioning. Fall sports were able to organize pre-season conditioning opportunities for new and returning players. Student-athletes were given the option to participate in such opportunities in accordance with their personal feelings regarding their health and safety.
On October 12, Broward County took the next step in their reopening plan by permitting official practices for fall sports. For CCHS, this included football, cheer, golf, volleyball, cross country, swimming and diving. While many teams had already begun conducting meetings via virtual platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, this would be the first time coaches and players could officially come together in person.
“I have been able to keep in touch with my team through weekly Zoom meetings,” junior Malak Sadoumy said. “I think it’s great that we can finally all start practicing again.”
With the fall season officially underway, athletes have come to observe significant changes in the organization of their respective sports. Strict guidelines have been implemented in order to ensure the safety of both athletes and their coaches. All team members are encouraged to wear facial coverings and maintain CDC guidelines when it comes to socially distancing.
Strict guidelines have been implemented in order to ensure the safety of both athletes and their coaches.
CCHS fields, courts and pools are now open for fall practices. With traditional schooling returning to a new normal as well, BCAA noted that student-athletes are not required to attend in-person classes in order to participate in team sports. Coaches are working to ensure that players of all situations have the opportunity to play in the long-awaited fall season.
“I think it’s going to be very interesting to see how the COVID situation affects our school year,” sophomore Mariana Jimenez said. “But I am super excited to go back and hopefully have a great season.”
With the county currently in phase three of its reopening plan, fall sports teams are looking forward to the possibility of competition. Coaches continue to remain optimistic as plans are underway to hold games in accordance with health and safety guidelines. In the meantime, student-athletes continue to practice in hopes of once again returning to play.
Photo by Kayla Gates
