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• Commencement at HWDSB
• Senior Team
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• Labour Update
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Return to Athletics

Learn more about HWDSB Athletics. Return to HWDSB Covid-19.

Return to Athletics

HWDSB to excited to announce that plans are underway for the safe return to athletics, after the pause on extracurricular last year brought hardship to students, staff and communities alike.

The return is permitted under the Ministry of Education’s operational guidance for reopening schools, with the following direction.

• High and low-contact activities are permitted outdoors without masking.
• High and low-contact activities are permitted indoors.
• Masking is encouraged for indoor sports where they can be worn safely based on the activity.

At HWDSB, we are working with Hamilton Public Health Services to ensure we follow Ministry direction in a way that reflects our local context.

We anticipate more information about which activities fall into high- or low-contact categories, as well as advice from sports bodies that will help us develop inter-school athletics protocols.

However, we have informed schools that they can start to plan a fall sports season. As a reminder, fall sports at HWDSB typically include:

• Elementary: 3-Pitch, Cross Country, Swimming, Volleyball.
• Secondary: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Tennis, Touch Football, Volleyball.

Please note that the situation is fluid. Some sports may be modified due to COVID-19 prevention measures.

However, we are fully committed to ensuring a safe return to athletics for all participants, coaches, and volunteers.

For more information, please contact your school.

Spectators

All health and safety considerations are being met to support extra-curricular activities and athletics following the Ministry of Education Guidelines for Return to School. In addition, all athletics programming has aligned operations with OPHEA/OPASSE Safety Considerations for Interschool Sports and COVID-19. HWDSB has created specific procedures for indoor and outdoor sports in conjunction with public health.  

Starting the week of October 4, 2021, spectators can attend outdoor athletics and extra-curricular events. Spectators must register their attendance at the event through a QR code for the purpose of contact tracing and screening measures. Masks will be worn outside if they can and physical distance (2 metres from people outside their household) will be maintained where possible. Plans will be shared once finalized related to allowing spectators for indoor events.