High School soccer, swimming, field hockey, cross country, golf and tennis will be permitted to play and practice as of Sept. 21, according to a recent announcement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

With the return to school approaching, student athletes were uncertain as to whether or not they would have an abridged season following the release of multiple potential plans in July that would account for the playing of all high school sports. An announcement from Governor Cuomo has now shed light on the upcoming season, allowing for low to moderate risk sports to play a shortened and contained version of a season.

Apart from non-competitive, non-contact practices, many contact-based sports such as football, ice hockey, wrestling, basketball, and volleyball deemed to be high risk will not be able to play, until determined otherwise by Cuomo. The new sports season will be altered beyond a short no-games-allowed period for interstate competition. Teams will also have to adhere to Covid-19 guidelines meant to limit contact and sharing of equipment to better keep players and staff safe.

This news comes as a blow to those who were looking forward to the upcoming football and volleyball seasons, and will put winter sports like ice hockey and basketball on their edge. Other Fall sports allowed to play, however, could be satisfied with this outcome after a months-long period of uncertainty and guesswork.  Ending his report, Cuomo stated that High School athletics are a sign of normalcy and the return of life before the pandemic, and pending its success it could prove to be a point of optimism for a dismal 2020.

For more information and updates on the reopening of New York school sports, click here.