Hello Hawks!
First of all, I want to thank you all for your amazing support as I am navigating taking over the Varsity coaching job! It will obviously be a transition for everyone, including myself, as Coach Mike as been our rock and laid the foundation over the past 10 years at Exeter. I will be looking to him for advice regularly and hope I can carry on his legacy here to make him proud!
I also wanted to keep everybody up to date as I get more information.
Today we had our fall coaches’ meeting, and as everything has been this year, the season is still uncertain. We will have to wait for the School Board to decide whether athletics can safely resume, but Coach Ball is our voice, and is advocating that we push to have fall sports. With this being said, we will still have to wait for a final decision, which I understand is difficult.
I encourage you all to maintain your conditioning and be disciplined in a workout regimen, because when/if we do start the season, we want to avoid injuries as much as possible and proper physical stamina is the first step in injury prevention. I am working to get small group conditioning set up, but the player to coach ratio is 1 coach to 9 players, so it will take some brainstorming to figure out the logistics. Also, players will not be able to participate in conditioning without a Covid Waiver signed, filled out and printed to hand in (I will post the waiver when I receive it and have a better idea of what conditioning will look like). If you have traveled or been travelling this summer, it is important you communicate that with coaches prior to attending any sessions as there are protocols in place for these circumstances.
We also need to make sure all the girls are signed up to play in advance and are up to date with all their medical forms and all the forms necessary to participate. Tryouts will most likely look different this year as we have to limit numbers in the gym, so the further in advance we know who is trying out, the easier it will be to plan.
Also, make sure you are signed up for Family ID. I think this can be accessed through the Exeter High School website, but if you have any questions about what you need in order to participate in the season, call or e-mail the athletic department sooner than later.
This year is going to be one for the books, so we all must come together (figuratively, not literally) to make sure we have a safe and successful season!
If the school board allows fall sports’ seasons to take place, we are looking at a September 8th tryout start date So like I said previously, make sure everything is taken care of prior to that week (preferably a week or more in advance).
I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that we will be able to participate in sports this fall and will make sure to keep you posted here with updates as I receive them.
Thank you again for your support and patience and I hope that I will see all of your masked faces soon!
If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me and I will do my best to have or find answers for you.
kate@greatbayvolleyball.com
Stay safe!
Coach Kate