It is the goal of Bainbridge Island Junior Football to provide a positive and enjoyable experience for all participants. All coaches strive to help to build positive self-esteem for players, teach team participation and responsibility and teach respect and honor for all opponents and participants (coaches, officials, parents). Our goals are to teach sportsmanship, fair play and football skills in an environment where players compete with other players. Our players learn how to win, how to lose, and how to do both with dignity.

2020 TACKLE FOOTBALL SEASON UPDATE

Will there be a youth football season for Bainbridge Island this year?
The short answer is "We don't know".

All activities, including youth sports and specifically youth football, are subject to government restrictions and guidelines.  Our league (GEJFA) voted earlier this year to adhere to the guidelines that the State of Washington provides to school districts through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.  The OSPI has delegated the WIAA to provide the guidelines for each sport. The WIAA has provided recommendations to the OSPI for the return of sports to schools in the fall.  If you are interested you can access the football specific recommendations published June 22nd here:
http://wiaa.com/results/COVIDPlanning/Football.pdf

Under these guidelines we would be able to begin football practice under very restricted conditions when we reach Phase 3 of the Safe Start reopening plan.  Practices under Phase 3 would essentially be limited to conditioning and agility.  Players would not be able to share any equipment, including a football - in other words they would not even be able to throw and catch passes (this may be amended).

The ability to practice effectively and play football comes when we reach Phase 4.  Unfortunately no one knows when we will reach Phase 3 or Phase 4.  Snohomish county entered Phase 2 on June 6th.  However, King County entered Phase 2 on June 22nd - keep in mind that 90% of our league is located in King County.  Each phase must remain in place for a minimum of 3 weeks and requires that specific criteria be achieved in order for a county to apply to move to the next phase.

What does all this mean for the 2020 football season?
In order for a 2020 season to be viable, we need to reach Phase 3 before the end of July and Phase 4 before the end of August.  At our league meeting last night it was decided to hold a "go/no-go" vote at our July 21st meeting.

For Bainbridge to have a youth football season in 2020 three things must happen:

1.     It must be allowed under government guidelines

2.     The league must vote to go ahead with a 2020 season

3.     BIJFA must have enough players to field teams

Although we expect limited interest in registration until there is clarity on the season, we have recently decided to open registration to try to get a sense of interest and player headcount.  In order to facilitate registration without risk the following been implemented:

•     You can register your player for only $20 - simply select "Payment Plan" at checkout.

•     If BIJFA does not have a 2020 season, registration fees will be refunded.

We will plan to keep our youth football community posted as announcements related to the upcoming season are made. 

Regards,

Shawn O'Neill