The Ministry of Education on Thursday lifted its ban on school sports tournaments. If it had continued, Island and sa国际传媒 championships would have been in jeopardy.
The public outcry became so great that 13,434 people had signed a change.org petition asking the ministry to reverse its ban on school sports tournaments.
The move puts school sports in line with athletes in youth club and community sports, who were allowed to return to tournament play beginning Tuesday in sa国际传媒 Many athletes crossover between school and club sports, so the discrepancy made little sense. The differing rules came about because youth club and community sports fall under Ministry of Health and Public Health Office guidelines but school sports under the Ministry of Education.
Regular-season play had been allowed to continue in both school and community sports. Playoffs in schools sports, especially basketball, however are conducted in tournament formats.
“We’re thrilled that Island and sa国际传媒 championships are a go,” said Darren Reisig, president of the Lower Vancouver Island School Sports Association.
But will parents be allowed to watch Island championships? It was not known Thursday night if the ban on spectators for sports in school facilities will also be lifted. All other indoor sporting events in sa国际传媒 are currently allowed attendance up to half venue capacity. Differing guidelines are again evident. The sa国际传媒 high school basketball championships, held in the Langley Events Centre, will be allowed fans in attendance next month because it is a city-run facility.
“First things first. At least we’re playing tournaments again,” said Reisig.
