Wynnewood, PA – (NCC News) – Friends’ Central High School announces their fall pre-season is scheduled to return on Wednesday, August 19. In early March, FCS was forced to shut down all sports teams, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
FCS has implemented a plan to re-open their athletics and wellness programs under the guidance of Governor Wolf’s orders, the C-D-C, the Montgomery County Department of Health, and the FCS COVID Team. The school’s path to reopening lays out everything that will be done, in order for student athletes to return to both the classroom and field safely.
Head Director of Athletics and Wellness Michelle Crowley, says the return to fall sports will be heavily monitored and nothing compared to what previous seasons have looked like at FCS. Crowley says daily health and safety protocols must be followed by all student athletes and coaches, if the teams are to make it through the fall season.
“What we’re doing differently, everyone will be prescreened daily and everyone will wear masks. There will be no shared equipment,” said Crowley.
In years past, FCS athletes have been accustomed to sharing a lot with their teammates, from equipment to water bottles. Crowley says that although this is not a typical season, the changes are necessary due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Crowley mentioned how it is going to be challenging to keep teammates apart. They have shared a bond and connection on the field for the past several years. It is her goal to make sure all players are reconnected, while still being able to follow proper protocols.
“My priority is to get them back together and reconnecting with one another because they have not been together as a team. If I can get them back together, connecting, that will be a win. It won’t be the same, but it will be a win,” stated Crowley.
Try outs for the five fall sports – Cross Country, girls’ Field Hockey, Soccer, girls’ Tennis, and Water Polo – are all set to begin on August 19 with designated time slots. Crowley confirms teams will be permitted to practice in small groups, with limited rosters. All Junior Varsity teams have been terminated until further notice, as a means to shorten numbers.
FCS says they will use the RUVNA app to do daily prescreening and for athletic and wellness attendance purposes. Every student must complete the screening survey by 9:00 PM each day, or they will not be able to participate in team activities.
According to Crowley, this season will look very different but is a step in the right direction. She believes if seasonal sports are to continue to return, we must accept this new norm.
