Menlo News November 18, 2020

CIF delays start of high school athletics until 2021

State’s spike in COVID-19 cases delays decision; CIF cancels NorCal, state playoffs

CIF statement on education-based athletics

12.1.2020 – The start of the state’s high school sports for the current school year has been pushed to January 2021 at the earliest, the CIF announced Tuesday afternoon. All full practice and competition start dates are officially on hold.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) planned to release guidelines in November, but has postponed issuing youth sports guidelines to return to play due to the continued spike in COVID-19 infections. The California Interscholastic Federation, which oversees 10 sections and 1,605 member schools, stated that it now does not expect the state public health office to issue guidance for high school teams to return to full practice until after Jan.1, 2021, at the earliest.

CIF removed all regional and state championship events from the Season 1 sports calendar. The reasoning is that by cancelling regional and state championship events, more student-athletes will have the opportunity to participate in a longer season, rather than a truncated season with regional and state post-season play for a limited number of schools.

“The CIF is confident this decision is a necessary and reasonable action for our member schools, student-athletes, and school communities in light of the current statewide crisis. This revision to the CIF State 2020-21 Season 1 Sports calendar offers our Sections and Leagues the flexibility and needed time to plan for the return to practice and competition once updated guidance is provided by the CDPH.”

CIF press release: Delaying the start of California high school sports

11.16.2020 – As the state moves back to lower tiers due to the rapid increase in number of COVID-19 cases, CIF athletic competition is on hold.

In a COVID-19 response press briefing, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Dr. Mark Ghaly from the California Department of Public Health said the release of youth sports guidance has been postponed. Due to the number of COVID-19 cases rising, California Interscholastic Federation competitions will remain with the current guidance and CIF competitions will not be allowed until a new guidance is provided.

In July, the CIF-Central Coast Section decided on a two-season model of all sports: