LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Friday, Gov. Steve Sisolak provided an update on Nevada’s COVID-19 response efforts and adjustments to existing restrictions on youth and adult recreation sports.
Sisolak issued new guidelines for youth and adult recreational sports during today’s press conference. Before doing so, he emphasized that the new directive does not apply to pro sports or high school.
The following minimal and no-contact sports will now be allowed beginning 12:01 a.m. Oct. 3:
Baseball/softball
Soccer
Volleyball
Golf
Track and field & Cross Country
Sideline/no-contact cheer and dance
Swimming and diving
Gymnastics
Fencing Kickball
Prohibited full-contact sports include, but are not limited to:
Football
Rugby
Wrestling
Boxing
Hockey
Lacrosse
Group cheer & dance
Basketball
Water polo
Martial Arts
Tournaments may restart beginning Oct. 24 with approval from the state. Also, any group wishing to resume tournament play must submit a safety plan.
Sisolak said several considerations for return to play, including social distancing, number of people, length of time at a location in proximity to others, where the sport is played, and ability to wear face coverings.
He also pointed out that outdoor locations are safer than indoor, smaller groups are safer than larger, shorter duration is safer than longer and sports that can ensure a distance of 6 feet between players is safer than those that can not.
All sports will have to abide by health and safety protocols, including screenings for athletes, coaches, and staff; limited equipment sharing; requirements for disinfecting equipment; and cooperating with health authorities on contact tracing. Guidance will be posted shortly. pic.twitter.com/t740Oh87d5
— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) October 2, 2020
Clark County and local youth sports officials applauded Gov. Steve Sisolak’s move today to allow the return of youth and adult recreation sports to Nevada facilities.
“We wish to thank Governor Sisolak for allowing games to resume,” said Clark County Commissioner Larry Brown, a former collegiate and professional baseball player who is involved in youth sports locally. “From our youngest athletes to our senior softball players, playing sports will be extremely beneficial to their physical and mental well-being.”
Guy Hobbs, president of Nevada Youth Soccer, agreed: “We look forward to the opportunity to get our kids out on the fields and competing, particularly in light of the fact that there are few alternatives for them other than youth sports at this time. We fully recognize the opportunity that’s being given to the kids and we’ll do everything possible to ensure that the programs are executed in strict accordance with all the protocols set forth by the state and local governments. We applaud the governor for making the youth of this state a priority and enabling us to move forward.”
Nevada Youth Soccer has several thousand players across the state and is supported by thousands more parents, coaches and officials.
Brown has been a County commissioner since January 2009. In 1999, he was inducted into the Harvard Athletic Hall of Fame for his collegiate sports career. He came to Las Vegas in 1983 to play for the former Las Vegas Stars, forerunner of today’s Las Vegas Aviators.
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