ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite a ruling Monday night from the Florida High School Athletic Association to allow fall sports to begin on schedule, Orange County schools will not permit practices to begin next Monday due to concerns over the coronavirus.
[RELATED: Everything you need to know about Orange County’s back-to-school plan]
Seminole County also announced Tuesday that it will not resume fall sports practices until the end of next month.
The ruling in Orange County will affect football, bowling, cross country, golf and swimming and diving.
Orange County Public Schools released an official statement about the move late Tuesday morning.
“OCPS middle and high school parents,
“Fall athletic practices and marching band practices which were scheduled to begin on Monday, July, 27 are postponed until further notice. The Athletic Directors, Band Directors, and Principals were made aware (Monday).
“We are working on a plan to modify our fall sports and marching band practice and competition schedules to provide for student health and safety.
“We also want to let parents and families know that if a student participates in OCPS LaunchEd@Home or Orange County Virtual School they can still participate in athletics and activities at their assigned school.
“We thank you for your support during these difficult and challenging times.”
Boone, Dr. Phillips and Wekiva high schools posted about the decision on social media Tuesday morning.
“OCPS has made the difficult decision to postpone fall sports tryouts, practices, and competitions until further notice; however, conditioning may continue with safety protocols, and we will continue to review and approve Athletic Clearances,” Wekiva Athletics tweeted.
The FHSAA voted after a five-hour meeting to allow practices to resume July 27.
Orange County starts school August 21, pushed back from its original start date of August 10.
[RELATED: Everything you need to know about Seminole County’s back-to-school plan]
In Seminole County, leaders decided to resume fall sports practice on August 31. The academic year begins on August 17.
OCPS has made the difficult decision to postpone fall sports tryouts, practices, and competitions until further notice; however, conditioning may continue with safety protocols, and we will continue to review and approve Athletic Clearances. Read more at https://t.co/mmPtHnMN7z. pic.twitter.com/SdZVZHdoTc
— Wekiva Athletics (@WekivaSports) July 21, 2020
OCPS will NOT be starting fall sports on July 27th. Fall sports are able to continue the conditioning POD work that is currently in place. Fall sports are postponed until further notice. Submit all sports physicals on home campus, instructions are posted on athletic website
— Dr. Phillips HS Athletics (@PantherZone) July 21, 2020