THUNDER BAY – The return of high schools sports is on the horizon.

However, the head of Superior Secondary Schools Athletic Association says if and when sports do return this fall, it’ll be with a measured approach.

David Pineau on Friday confirmed extra-curricular sporting activity at all grade levels is on indefinite hold for the time being, but with zero active confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Thunder Bay District, should they get the go-ahead from public health officials, some sports could return for the fall semester.

“We’ve got things coming up in the next couple of weeks where we’ll get a sense of where we’re at and what we’re able to offer,” Pineau said.

“We’ve got some low-risk sports that kind of lend themselves to starting off. Cross-country running and golf are two fall sports that fall in that low-risk category. So if the sense at the schools is that teachers are able to coach and students are ready to come back and we get approval from boards or health units, then we’ll bring some opportunities in those areas.”

If those go well, Pineau said it could be an indicator that it’s OK to re-launch slightly riskier sports, including basketball and volleyball.

“We’re going to have to look at whether we move some seasons – football obviously being one that’s pretty popular and people are always asking about. That may be one we can move to the spring,” Pineau said.

“So we’ve got some decisions that we have to make with SSSAA. I think the hope is to offer opportunities in every sport that we traditionally offer. Obviously the seasons aren’t going to look like they normally look.”

Under current provincial legislation, leagues are only allowed to operate in 50-player bubbles, which would limit the number of opponents a team could have, particularly in a large-roster sport like football. Pineau said that’s one reason they’re looking at spring for a return to the gridiron, in hopes that the restrictions are loosened.

It could mean no city or regional championships, just a chance for athletes to play the sports they love.

The Ontario Federation of Secondary School Athletics Association has already cancelled all of its fall provincial championships and many schools in southern Ontario have decided not to go ahead with fall sports.

Pineau said it looks like Sudbury is looking at ways of staging school sporting events, and said he’s been in contact with athletic leaders there on an almost daily basis as they try to put their protocols in place.

Mike Judge, who coaches the Hammarskjold Vikings senior football team, said he’s glad to see progress being made, calling sports and other extra-curricular activities a vital part of the high school experience for many students.

“It’s so much more than just academics in schools. So when you look at the mental health crisis that’s going on in Canada right now, and especially with teenagers, having those outlets is just critical to having a healthy, positive outlook on life,” Judge said, adding from the reaction of his players, he could have a full squad at practice this week, were it permitted.

Pineau said when sports does return, it will likely be with a limited crowd capacity, if any fans are allowed in the stands at all. SSSAA is looking at the possibility of streaming games live online so parents and classmates can watch.