The Georgia High School Association will allow the use of 'sports-specific equipment' beginning on Monday, according to an email obtained by AccessWDUN late Wednesday evening.
In the email, the GHSA will keep all previous guidance and restrictions in place with the following changes:
- Workouts are conditioning only (no scrimmages); sports-specific equipment -- including balls -- may be used and should be sanitized between sessions.
- Groups of 50 -- two existing groups should be combined into one group, including coaches -- for workouts per sport at any given time at the campus or facility.
Gainesville Athletics Director Adam Lindsey said he is pleased with the recent announcement and will invoke those changes beginning Monday.
"We are excited to get back to building in skill-building as a part of our conditioning next week," he said. "I know our coaches have been chomping at the bit to work a ball into their conditioning sessions. It is nice that each week is a building block to getting back to normal. Go Big Red."
Johnson AD Tony Wagner said they will wait for clearance from the Hall County Central Office of which he hopes will happen later today.
"We will be waiting for clearance from our superintendent (Will Schofield) and county athletics director (Stan Lewis) before we can move forward," he said. "If we are given clearance, we will be adding those items to our conditioning training. If not, then we will continue as we are currently."
Dawson County AD Jason Gibson said the school should have a recommendation as well today.
Buford will most likely implement sports-specific equipment, including balls, to the conditioning routine on Monday, according to AD Tony Wolfe.
"I am sure we will. The information came out so late this evening, that I haven’t had a chance to speak to each coach directly, but I have forwarded the GHSA information to everyone and will speak to each coach tomorrow to find out their plans for next week," he said.
We are so thankful for the GHSA’s guidance throughout this process, and we are very excited about the opportunity to have balls/equipment next week. Just getting our kids back on campus and connecting with them has been so energizing and such a tremendous blessing for our coaches and kids alike."
