The sports league that covers most high school sports in Massachusetts and state education officials released guidance this week on how sports will proceed amid coronavirus restrictions, adding an additional season into the school year. 

In the Tri-Town, Old Rochester Regional Athletic Director Bill Tilden says immediate planning is delayed until after an official approval from the district’s superintendent and school committee, and logistics of sports may prove tricky with the need for nontraditional classroom space. 

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said that severe restrictions will be needed and set up a “floating season,” after the fall season to allow sports that could not compete in the fall season to possibly compete then. 

However, Tilden is still focused on the first season logistics. He imagines that the school will want students out of the building as soon as possible after classes to allow for the thorough disinfecting that is required to be safe. 

An effort to transfer some classes to non-traditional spaces to allow for distancing has also hit athletics hard, as Tilden said that two thirds of the gym space is currently taken up by desks and chairs. 

He hopes to hear from district leaders next week on whether they have approved sports to play at ORR.   

If not, he said planning becomes a lot harder, because so many of the coaches have other school-related responsibilities as well that they must attend to as well. 

However, he has been working with other league participants on potential game schedules. 

Head Football Coach Bryce Guilbeault said his team will compete in the floating season, starting Feb. 22 and ending April 25. 

“The MIAA has allowed for this year only, for coaches to have contact with players out of season. So in the past I couldn't do any football related activities with my players pertaining to football until the first day of practice. Now with this rule we will be allowed to practice during the fall and coach them up on technique.” 

This moves the target date for the start of the season, as Guilbeault put it, back much later, but he still said “it will be good to get back to working with the student athletes and get back to some type of normalcy.”

Another unknown for the team as they prepare to play through the winter months is the weather.

“We have never been in a season with frozen grounds and possible snow on the ground. So I think we really won’t know till we get there,” Guilbeault said. He says he will help his players prepare mentally for the cold, and try to schedule flexible practices in case of weather. 

Overall, he is trying to focus on the positive aspects of the season. 

“I think at the end of the day everyone is in the same boat and we just have to be appreciative and grateful that we have an opportunity to play football this year,” the head coach said.

In their statement, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recognized the benefits that sports provide. 

“Notwithstanding the risks associated with Covid-19, organized physical activity should be encouraged, within clear health and safety parameters. Most sports can be played in ways that minimize those risks,” the two organizations said in an Aug. 18 statement. 

However, athletics will be modified and “inter-scholastic competitions may not look the same and may need to be played under fairly stringent restrictions with modified rules. Unfortunately, in some cases, competitive play may need to be cancelled or postponed,” the two groups continued. 

Three sports that were deemed higher risk (football, cheer, and unified basketball) will be practice only, following other state guidance issued by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. 

Though not on the list of practice-only sports Tilden said volleyball will likely have later competitions as well.

Other sports will be able to hold competitions, by eliminating deliberate contact, modifying or eliminating intermittent contact, and increasing distancing. 

The interscholastic athletic organization said that it will make judgements on higher risk sports in the winter and spring seasons as they approach. 

The executive office is also expected to re-issue guidance prior to the start of each season, based on coronavirus data, testing availability, and any new medical discoveries.