Fall Sports News

RIIL has stated this year’s Covid-19 guidelines for fall sports, football, and girls volleyball have been moved to season three. The rest of the fall sports will stay, but there is a catch, players will have to wear masks and follow the modifications given.

RIIL stated, “Responsible parties must ensure a distance of at least six feet is maintained among individuals at all times, whether indoor or outdoor, unless safety or the core activity [e.g. practicing, playing] requires a shorter distance. If a shorter distance is required, athletes are required to wear cloth face coverings/masks per RIDOH guidelines.”

The masks must be worn throughout the games/events, however the masks can be taken off if participants are 10 feet away.

Dan Goba, a player for the  NKHS boys soccer team said, “It’s definitely different than how things used to be, but I think it is something everybody will get used to as the season goes on.”

Another player for the boys soccer team, Conner Froberg, said “It’s obviously not ideal to have to wear masks while playing. However, it’s something that needed to happen for the season to go on so we have to get used to it.”

Does mask-wearing deter sports participation? From what I have experienced, the answer is no. Student-athletes will do anything just to play the sport they love, even if that includes having to wear a mask while playing and running.

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