CIAC Sponsored Fall Tackle Football Cancelled, But Encourages Local Districts to Support 7 on 7 and Club Tackle Football

This week, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) announced that it was unable to get approval from the Department of Public Health (DPH), despite testimony from their own medical experts, that tackle football could be safely played in Connecticut High Schools this fall. As a result, the CIAC announced that although it will not be sanctioning tackle football this fall, it is encouraging local districts, if approved by their local DPH, to “play full contact football as a ‘club’ sport, similar to girls ice hockey, without adherence to CIAC COVID mitigating plans.” It is apparent that the CIAC would prefer high schools to have club tackle football rather than players going to private entities who are running programs outside of the schools.

According to the governor’s office, DPH, and CIAC, schools may begin playing 7 on 7 football immediately. 7 on 7 has been approved as a sport since early this summer. CIAC recommends that you then work with your local DPH and school Superintendent to start a “club” tackle program.

CIAC said there is a possibility for football to return in the spring and all players will be eligible, even if they play tackle football in the fall with a club program.

Last week, I joined thousands of student athletes, parents, coaches, school administrators, and a large group of bipartisan legislators for a rally (see photo below) at the Capitol to show our support for the players, and to encourage the administration and DPH to reconsider its position. Our own First Selectman Kevin Moynihan even organized a meeting with Governor Lamont in the hopes of reaching an agreement as the curve is flat, kids are back in school, there is no increase in hospitalizations, and youth tackle football has been played throughout Fairfield County, including New Canaan, for about a month.

Sports are crucial to our students’ mental, physical, and emotional health. It keeps them focused and active, and helps them build lifelong skills like teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline, and so much more. Eliminating tackle football will not reduce the risk of a COVID spread, but it will increase it as those thousands of high school football players will be engaging in much riskier after school activities than tackle football.

As the parent of three student athletes, I empathize with all the parents in New Canaan and Wilton who feel let down by this decision, but it is not over. Football players and their parents have options. Their school can play 7 on 7 immediately. They can also play tackle either as a club sport with their school, or with a private entity offering tackle football as a pay to play type option. It is not ideal, but there are options.

To all the student athletes out there, I encourage you to keep practicing, and talk to your coach to get 7 on 7 games scheduled immediately as authorized by the governor, DPH and CIAC. Then coaches, parents, and players should reach out to their local town officials, including their health director and superintendent, and encourage them to start a club tackle football program, like the many club programs that have existed previously and still exist in schools today. #LetThemPlay