MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced Friday as part of Week 7 of the state’s reopening plan, summer youth events, including high school sports, can resume beginning June 8, per the WVSSAC.
A recommendation by the WVSSAC includes three separate phases, which would allow athletes to get back into shape since sports were canceled in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first phase will allow on conditioning and strength training in an outdoor setting. Athletes will still need to maintain social distancing. Phase 2 will be more of the same but with lesser restrictions and the opening of indoor facilities.
Phase 3 will be an atypical three-week summer workout period, usually scheduled for mid-June. Concessions will likely need to be made, including no large gatherings, such as football 7-on-7s and competitions between different schools (scrimmages, etc.).
High-contact sports such as football, basketball, cheerleading and wrestling, are asked to do individual drills.
Monongalia County, which originally had its three-week summer workout period set for June 8-26, moved the practice dates to July 13-31, much like the rest of the counties in West Virginia. Adam Henkins, Mon County’s Director of Safe Schools, Athletics & Title IX, said the county is still working out how to make sure schools and teams follow the correction procedures.
Other low-contact and outdoor sports, such as rec league baseball and soccer, can also begin practices June 8 and games — with spectators — June 22. Mandatory social distancing will need to be implements for spectators to attend.
Justice also announced that all remaining adult sports facilities — indoor tennis courts, racquetball, outdoor basketball courts and others — can also resume June 8.
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