Health officials postpone youth sports guidance, as CIF delays the return of high school sports

On that note, the California Department of Public Health has postponed its updated youth sports guidance. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) does not expect the CDPH will issue any guidance allowing for schools to return to full practice and competition until after January 1, 2021, at the earliest.

In July, CIF officials statewide indicated that high school athletics would begin again, but with a modified schedule. For example, football, volleyball, water polo, and cross country, normally fall sports were postponed, initially to December and early January.

Former Lemoore High School Athletic Director Ryan Tos, now the Central Section’s chief CIF official, told The Leader in July that sports like football, volleyball, and water polo could have started practices this month (December), and the high school year’s sports schedule would have been transformed from three seasons to two.

CIF and local school officials hoped to play football and other sports beginning in January, but even that appears a toss-up as the state deals with a burgeoning COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, CIF officials are canceling all regional and state championship events from the season 1 sports calendar. State COF officials indicate the move will allow more student-athletes to have an opportunity to participate in a longer season, rather than a truncated season.

The CIF, in a press release, remains confident its decision is a necessary and reasonable action for the CIF’s member schools, student-athletes, and school communities in light of the current statewide crisis.