Page 6 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021 Greater Boston League announces new Athletic Season Calendar Winter season start pushed back to Feb. 1; “Fall 2” and Spring seasons will start later By Steve Freker T he Greater Boston League (GBL) announced Wednesday it would push back the start of the Winter Sports season to February 1 and also adjust the following two seasons, “Fall 2” and Spring Sports, to later starts as well. According to a statement on Wednesday released by league President Chris Mastrangelo, the Malden AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE CA$H FOR YOUR CAR! DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! Cold Hard Cash For Your Car, Truck or SUV! 2013 KIA SORRENTO 4X4 Remote Start, Third Row Seating, Premium Sound System, One Owner, Only 73K Miles, One Owner, Warranty! TRADES WELCOME $10,900 Easy Financing Available! 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Sport Package, 4X4, Leather Interior, Loaded, One Owner, 105K Miles, Excellent Condition, Warranty! TRADES WELCOME $10,900 781-321-8841 1236 EasternAve • Malden EddiesAutotech.com We Pay Cash For Your Vehicle! High principal, no sports are planned to be canceled. A variety of reasons were cited for the move, including a primary one, due to health and safety reasons precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit the GBL communities especially hard in a lot of ways. There is one change of note in that the indoor and outdoor boys and girls track seasons will be combined into one track season, outdoors, planned to run from May 27 to July 3. The Greater Boston League, which was reconstituted last year, includes Everett, Malden, Medford, Revere and Somerville, with three new members joining offi cially in the fall of this year: Chelsea, Lynn Classical and Lynn English. With the announcement, in another note, the GBL is basically “going its own way,” as most other leagues around the state are going with the dates set by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) for their respective seasons, meaning the GBL game schedules most likely will be exclusively all-league opponents. Additionally, with the changes in the calendar there remains the possibility the three newest GBL teams, Chelsea, Lynn Classical and Lynn English, may begin league play later this winter and in the spring, if their Boards of Health allow it. Lynn English Athletic Director Dick Newton publicly stated Wednesday his school would join the GBL in games being played immediately, judging by the new dates, if allowed by his city. “We are pleased we are able to accommodate all the teams and have something to off er our GBL student-athletes if all goes well,” Malden High’s Mastrangelo said. “It’s been almost a full year since our GBL student-athletes have competed. They deserve a chance to practice, play and compete if it’s safe to do so,” Malden High Athletic Director Charlie Conefrey, who is also GBL Commissioner, said. “Many hours and a lot of work has gone into this plan.” Following is the text of the GBL’s statement released on Wednesday: As we continue to navigate these unsettled times in our history, the Greater Boston League has consistently adjusted to meet the needs of our students. In the Fall we voted to participate in the Fall II season because that was best for our kids. As we head into the winter season we are preparing to adjust once more, to meet the needs of our students. During this pandemic there have been many reports, backed by data, that point to the abnormally high number of positive Covid-19 cases in urban areas. Sadly, many of the GBL schools have been affected by this. We continue to see our numbers rise. Due to this, a number of our schools are still in fully remote learning models. In addition, some of our cities have limited access to municipal buildings, including schools. Others have put a stop to athletic competitions, at all levels. With this in mind and guided by our core value of equity for all, the GBL Principals and Athletic Directors have voted unanimously to postpone all interscholastic athletic competitions, other than Girls Hockey and Gymnastics, until March 1st. Winter sports preseason conditioning opportunities will begin on February 1st. All athletic related activities including interscholastic play are dependent on both School Committee and local Department of Health approval. Additionally, the GBL plans on having all three seasons of athletics. Our hope is that the data around increased positive tests will have begun to reverse and we will be able to provide a safe opportunity for our student-athletes to compete. It is also our hope that cities within our league (Chelsea, Everett, Lynn and Revere) which have been some of the hardest hit in the state, will be able to engage and join as we move forward. We will be researching and organizing ways in which our student-athletes can participate in pre-season workouts to physically prepare for interscholastic competitions after a one year layoff . The pre-season conditioning programs will be done with the guidance of our Athletic Trainers. Lastly, a tremendous amount of work will be done by all GBL stakeholders over the next few weeks in the restructuring of all three athletic seasons. Please be patient as we will have answers to all your questions very soon. **** 2021 GBL Athletic Season Calendar January 11–Winter Season for Gymnastics, Girls Ice Hockey*. February 1– 26: Winter preseason. (The league Athletic Trainers will design this program and provide the oversight); Boys/Girls (B/G) Basketball, Swimming, Boys Ice Hockey. *Gymnastics and Girls Ice Hockey are in interscholastic play (Medford, Malden and Somerville). March 1–April 10: Winter season Interscholastic Competition – B/G Basketball, Swimming, Boys Ice Hockey. **** Fall 2 Preseason Conditioning: Girls Volleyball, Football, Field Hockey, B/G Soccer, Golf (The league ATs will design this program and provide the oversight). April 12–May 15: “Fall 2” Season – Girls Volleyball, B/G Soccer, Golf, Cross-Country, Football, Field Hockey. Spring Pre-Season Conditioning: Baseball, Softball, B/G Tennis, B/G LAX, Outdoor Track, Crew (The league ATs will design this program and provide the oversight). **** May 17–July 3 Spring Season – Baseball, Softball, B/G Tennis, B/G LAX, Outdoor Track, Crew, Boys Volleyball.
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