Hello Coaches,
I have received a few inquiries regarding injured athletes and their ability to compete in the county championship (either in the Varsity or JV race), state qualifier, state championship, etc. while not having competed in at least
6 competitions.
As stated at the coaches meeting and indicated in the handbook their is a
Medical Waiver form (see attached) that must be completed by you and
approved by Nina Van Erk-Executive Director of Section VIII Athletics
and the Cross-Country Coordinator in order to
be eligible for any of the above mentioned meets.
Here are a few things to consider that may answer any questions you may have:
1. The form must be completed in its entirety and submitted to Nina Van Erk prior to your last regular season competition.
The regular season competition is defined as
the "last competition that a team is participating in prior to the first
post season meet".
ex. This can be league meet 5,
fr,soph, jr, sr meet,
Nassau coaches etc based on your teams schedule.
2. Attached to this form must be the doctor note indicating the date of
exclusion of participation and nature of injury, and the date of
inclusion (when the athlete was re-cleared for participation).
3. Ultimately, even though an athlete is medically cleared to
participate, it is the coaches and an administrator member (ex. athletic
director) that determines the athletes readiness for competition
following an injury.
4. I have been informed by Nina Van Erk, as long as the medical
documentation is adequate, and the form is completed and submitted prior
to your last regular season competition, the athlete will be approved
by Section VIII athletics for post-season competition,
regardless the number of meets the athlete has competed in ex. 0-5
You still need coach and school administrative approval for athlete readiness.
Suggestion:
If you have any athlete that may be in this situation, let Adam and I
know immediately and do your job by attaining the necessary medical
documentation from your school, and begin to fill out the attached
medical waiver form.
However the form should not be sent to Nina Van Erk until the athlete is medically cleared to participate.
One exception-If you feel an athlete
will not be cleared until after your last regular season competition but
your team will qualify for these races (State qualifier, States, etc)
the form should be submitted prior to the deadline
with a note indicating the expected date of clearance.
Therefore if your team qualifies your athlete would still be allowed to participate if applicable.
If you have any further questions on this matter, please email me
directly and "NOT REPLY ALL", as we do not want to create any type of
confusion.
See you next week
Be well
Neal Levy
Section 8 Girls Cross-Country Coordinator
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