Fall sports are not going ahead in the month of September at the North Battleford Comprehensive High School, however there remains a possibility they could resume play in October.

That is the word from Jay Nichol, principal of NBCHS. Nichol confirmed the decision to pause fall sports in September came down as a result of a directive from Living Sky School Division central office.

The decision impacts team sports such as football, soccer, volleyball and cross country. 

“We have suspended all our school sports for the month of September,” said Nichol.

“At that point, during September we will continue to re-evaluate and have conversations with the SHSAA and the province and see if we can start with practices. But right now we’ve discontinued sports at this point, just so we can follow those expectations and get used to the routines that are set out at this point.”

The fall sports calendar at the Comp had been in question after the decision Wednesday from Saskatoon high schools that they were cancelling all of their fall sports- a decision that impacts North Battleford Comp directly because the football team plays in the Saskatoon league.

As for who their potential opponents might be if sports resumes in October, Nichol said they would look at what the parameters are at that time.

“Right now we’re not allowed to play outside our community,” said Nichol, which would limit competitions to ones with John Paul II Collegiate and Sakewew High School. If it does open up to other communities, they could see what they do to set up mini-leagues and the like.  

On a related noted, the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association issued its latest update Thursday in which they confirmed that start dates had been pushed back for all outdoor sports until Sept. 28.

The cross country start dates have been adjusted to Sept 28 – Oct. 17. The soccer start dates are pushed back to Sept. 28-Oct 31. Football is pushed back to Sept. 28- Nov. 14. For volleyball, it has been pushed back even further to Oct. 13 – Nov. 28.

As for golf, the entire SHSAA golf season has been cancelled completely. The reason, according to SHSAA, is that the executive believed the “restrictions related to the reopening of schools would not allow for a safe and effective qualification process leading to a provincial championship event.”

Living Sky School Division released a statement late in the afternoon Thursday from Tonya Lehman, Superintendent of Learning, confirming that not only sports but all extracurricular activities throughout the division are suspended for the month of September.

“First, I would like to acknowledge the importance of extra-curricular activities and understand the amazing opportunities and experiences offered to students.  For many, these activities are the highlight of their school year.  I also want to thank all of our staff members who run extra-curricular activities, for all their countless hours that you put into offering the opportunity for our students to participate in activities beyond the school day.

“I also want to acknowledge that this fall school will look differently.  Staff and students will be learning new routines and safety measures in the school and in their classrooms.  Living Sky School Division has made a decision to cancel all extra-curricular for the month of September to ensure that staff and students are able to return to a safe school and to focus on re-opening our schools with new routines.  We will continue to evaluate extra-curricular activities and if and when it is safe, we will work with our staff with the guidance of Saskatchewan Health Authority to ensure safe guidelines and protocols are in place.” 

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