A group of well organized parents have began a group to look into the legal possibilities that exist in order for students to return to sports . To quote one parent “We Believe we represent many players and parents that are very frustrated with the way the Government/ CIF has handled this , we are tired of waiting for and trusting a system that has failed our kids . We want to raise awareness to what should be a simple decision to Let Them Play ! ” The Group of parents would follow in the footsteps of other states like Minnesota and Illinois who have filed Lawsuits against their Governors and local health Departments , the basis of the Lawsuit would be that the Ban on youth Sports is unconstitutional under the Equal Opportunity protection . The group is growing and welcomes any Parents to join them in the fight , they have started a Facebook Group called “ Let Them Play CA” open to everyone .
The latest release of guidelines by the California health department were on December 14th . The guidelines place different sports and activities into tiers based on their amount of contact. However, competitions are still not permitted in the state until Jan 25, 2021, at the earliest, according to state officials. Transmission rates in early January will also be looked at when considering a date to resume competitions. The Guidelines would make the possibility of Football very hard to take place in the CIF’s programmed dates for the sport , The CIF has in recent weeks argued to the CA Health Department lead by DR. Mark Ghaly that Football should be played in the Red tier, the current tiers allow football to be played in the Orange Tier . Their has also been some talk about moving Football to season 2 which would mean an April Start to the season . While more than 35 Sates have been able to move forward and have football seasons along with other sports , California under Governor Gavin Newsom have put in place some of the toughest restrictions on youth sports in the country while the Data keeps coming in from other States showing that youth sports have very low rates of transmission and have been successfully done . The overwhelming evidence and data is also a strong driver in the parents Legal Case . Another strong argument is the growing number of suicide , depression and anxiety numbers being reported as a result of the youth not having an outlet like sports available to them .
Data coming from New Jersey who just wrapped up their 🏈 Season.
— San Diego Football (@Daygofootball) December 3, 2020
65 Teams played less 5 Games
269 Played more than 6 Games
80.54 % of teams played more than 6 out of a 9 Game Season. pic.twitter.com/APPIQApIhU
https://twitter.com/scontrerasgcs/status/1342809963136233472?s=21
Nebraska Schools Activity Association put out data. Full FB, VB, and XC seasons with championships. Now in basketball and wrestling seasons. Low to no increase in the probability in contracting COVID. Our school as well as many others have been in session the whole time..
— Chase Rasby (@CoachRasby) December 16, 2020
https://t.co/0JMXnIUUrX in Kansas through mid November out of nearly 130,000 cases, less than 400 were from sports related clusters. .03 percent of all known cases.
— Tom Flax (@coachflax1) December 16, 2020
🚨Smoking Gun https://t.co/o8bB5COK84
— San Diego Football (@Daygofootball) November 25, 2020
Some states are finding a way https://t.co/tsAg88N7NH
— John Taumoepeau (@jtamoe46) December 19, 2020
California Tier System
Widespread Tier (Purple)
Outdoor low-contact sports
- Archery
- Badminton
- Biking
- Bocce
- Corn hole
- Cross country
- Dance (no contact)
- Disc golf
- Golf
- Ice and roller skating (no contact)
- Lawn bowling
- Martial arts (no contact)
- Physical training programs (e.g., yoga, Zumba, Tai chi)
- Pickleball (singles)
- Rowing/crew (with 1 person)
- Running
- Shuffleboard
- Skeet shooting
- Skiing and snowboarding
- Snowshoeing
- Swimming and diving
- Tennis
- Track and field
- Walking and hiking
Substantial Tier (Red)
Outdoor moderate-contact sports
- Baseball
- Cheerleading
- Dodgeball
- Field hockey
- Gymnastics
- Kickball
- Lacrosse (girls/women)
- Pickleball (doubles)
- Softball
Moderate Tier (Orange)
Outdoor high-contact sports
- Basketball
- Football
- Ice hockey
- Lacrosse (boys/men)
- Rugby
- Rowing/crew (with 2 or more people)
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Water polo
Indoor low-contact sports
- Badminton
- Curling
- Dance (no contact)
- Gymnastics
- Ice skating (individual)
- Physical training
- Pickleball (singles)
- Swimming and diving
- Tennis
- Track and field
- Volleyball
Minimal Tier (Yellow)
Indoor moderate-contact sports
- Cheerleading
- Dance (intermittent contact)
- Dodgeball
- Kickball
- Pickleball (doubles)
- Racquetball
- Squash
Indoor high-contact sports
- Basketball
- Boxing
- Ice hockey
- Ice skating (pairs)
- Martial arts
- Roller derby
- Soccer
- Water polo
- Wrestling
