Off-campus training programs scheduled in the area for high schoolers

Off-campus, non-school related training has reportedly begun for high school-aged athletes hoping to compete for Fallbrook Union High School in the fall when and if sports resume as previously scheduled.

Last week, Fallbrook High girls cross country head coach Vickie Knox announced that summer conditioning would begin Tuesday, June 30, through Martial Arts Concepts in Fallbrook and all athletes would be required to sign a waiver with the business to participate.

“They will be training under our studio and not Fallbrook High until the kids are allowed back on campus,” Knox wrote in her Facebook post June 27. “If you have any questions or concerns please let me know.”

It was unclear if any of the training sessions had taken place.

Officially, high school athletic programs are not permitted to train due to restrictions handed down by the county and state because of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

The California Interscholastic Federation issued a statement June 12 regarding the return of summer training along with the proposed restart of fall sports athletic competition.

“We continue to monitor the directives and guidelines released from the Governor's Office, the California Department of Education and State/Local County Health Departments and Agencies as these directives and guidelines are followed by our member schools/school districts when they are planning when and how to reopen school this fall,” the statement reads. “As our member schools begin planning for the reopening of school, the CIF, in collaboration with our 10 sections, will be determining by July 20 if fall sports will continue as currently scheduled. The CIF is prepared to offer alternative calendars if it is determined by July 20 that fall sports may not start as scheduled due to ongoing public health and safety concerns.”

If they give the go-ahead, it is likely that football practices will resume for the fall season July 31 with other sports such as field hockey, water polo, and girls volleyball and tennis opening up Aug. 1.

According to Fallbrook High athletic director Pat Walker, no Warriors teams are permitted to train officially through the school. He said in response to an email asking about the cross country training that the group is affiliated with a club and is not tied to Fallbrook High.

He indicated that other teams in North County have had athletes training at outside facilities with club groups, and there have been reports of other sports in the Fallbrook area holding similar workouts.

Late last week, an email was sent to Fallbrook High football supporters indicating that a camp would be held in Rainbow for the 2020 Tomahawk Football Camp that would adhere to “‘Phase 1’ as recommended by the NFHS guidelines starting July 6.” The entire document can be read here: https://www.nfhs.org/media/3812287/2020-nfhs-guidance-for-opening-up-high-school-athletics-and-activities-nfhs-smac-may-15_2020-final.pdf.

The camp was also promoted and referenced on the Fallbrook Football Boosters Facebook page prior to and through Monday.

The email sent out by the program indicated that there would be no football-related activities, drills, or use of a football of any kind during the camp, and athletes were told not to bring a ball with them.

The camp was scheduled to take place for one hour, three days a week, with “pods” of no more than 12 athletes, and would run through July 20, the date set by CIF to decide on the future of fall sports in California.

Head coach Troy Everhart stated in the email that athletes should not sign up if parents are “not 100% in agreement with the decision to have your son engage in conditioning.”

“I will not count for or against anyone who attends these activities,” he said in the email.

Everhart said Monday, July 6, that the camp would be run through an AAU club not affiliated with the school that would provide insurance coverage.

Each player is going to be required to wear a mask cover, bring their own water, and there would be no sharing of towels, water, bags, etc. The email stated that any athletes that feel sick in any way and anyone who feels at risk should stay home.

The state of California is currently making adjustments to account for an influx of new cases of COVID-19 and it was unclear Monday whether the county or state was permitting sports teams from holding so-called Day Camps pertaining to athletics.

According to Tim McClain, a public information officer with the County of San Diego, in response to a question posed by Village News, he said, “If you are asking about youth sports, they are not permitted by the state.”

He also forwarded a Day Camp protocol information sheet provided by the county.

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at [email protected].