BKW and Western Athletic Conference winter sports update

BKW Varsity Girls’ and Boys’ Bowling will begin practice Dec. 14. There will not be a Modified Bowling team this year due to bowling alley availability and COVID-19 restrictions. Interested athletes should sign up by clicking here.

You must have a valid physical on file with the school nurse to begin practice. School physicals will be hold on Dec. 8 at noon. Please sign up with the school nurse – Alicia.lounsbury@bkwschools.org. ALL ATHLETES WILL NEED A VALID PHYSICAL ON FILE TO PARTICIPATE.

The Western Athletic Conference has voted to not to field “high-risk” Modified sports (Basketball, Cheer and Wrestling) this season due to the pandemic.

“High-risk” JV and Varsity sports practice (Basketball, Cheer and Wrestling) will begin on Jan. 4 pending NYS approval. If approved, there will be a league only schedule played without fans through Feb. 28. In addition, cheerleaders will not be cheering for basketball games. Cheer will take place only if there are competitions within the WAC.

BKW will not be fielding an Indoor Track team this year. Section 2 is not able to provide a schedule due to the lack of facilities that host meets. College venues will not be opening their doors because of COVID-19.

Earlier winter athletics stories

Section II releases winter sports start dates pending state approval

The Section 2 Executive Committee announced it will begin the “low/moderate risk” winter sport season on December 14 and “high risk” winter sports on January 4, 2021,  in accordance with the Governor Cuomo’s and New York State Department of Health approvals.

“Low/moderate risk” sports would include school districts that offer Bowling, Gymnastics, Indoor Track & Field, Skiing (Nordic & Alpine), and Boys Swimming & Diving. “High risk” sports include Basketball, Cheerleading, Ice Hockey, Boys Winter Volleyball and Wrestling.

Section 2 President Joseph Sapienza has guided the Executive Committee with the focus being on our mission statement. Our mission statement includes: Our primary goal is to provide safe quality experiences which foster sportsmanship for our student-athletes, coaches, fans, and school communities. “The Section’s goal through all of this is to be able to provide a safe opportunity to participate for all of our sport offerings,” Sapienza said.

This decision has been made with an understanding of the many challenges school districts and those involved in interscholastic athletics will face. With the guidance we currently have and the commitment to a high level of compliance with that guidance, we can safely provide this opportunity to our member schools.

 “We understand that for a variety of reasons some school districts may opt out of our winter sports offerings,” said Section 2 Executive Director Ed Dopp. “In those cases, we respect and support the individual district decision.”

The winter 2020-21 season will begin on December 14, and run through February 28th. The season will focus on regular season play, primarily with league competition. Reduced (participation) and condensed (time) Sectional competition will only take place if NYSPHSAA is offering NYSPHSAA State Championships. If there are no state championships we will encourage and support our leagues and schools to engage in league culminating events, all of which will conclude by February 28.

It is Section II’s hope and goal that winter sports will be able to complete a good portion, if not all, the maximum allowable contests. Should there be interruptions or a need to shut down, Section II will address those circumstances, at that time. With the fall 2 season running from March 1 through April 30, and spring sports running from May 1 through June 30, it is likely that winter sports, if postponed, will not have additional opportunities to compete this school year.

Section II officials have and will continue to distribute the NYSDOH, NYSPHSAA, CDC, NFHS and COVID-19 guidance to its member schools so that they can supplement their individual school district re-opening plans and provide the safest environment possible.