Potential July 6 return for GHSA activities under consideration

A report from WJCL-TV 22 in Savannah indicates there is a chance high school sports activities may return as early as July 6. The Georgia High School Association continues to work towards a return to sports here in the Peach State.

The GHSA cancelled all spring sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March.

While Executive Director Robin Hines says there is no concrete news to report, the GHSA is optimistic high school fall athletics will start on time for the 2020-21 school year.

"I am in the process of gathering as much information as possible to narrow down a date that we may be able to begin some type of face-to-face work with our student athletes," says Hines. "We will be looking at local, state and national information to attempt to make the best decision going forward. I am hopeful that we can implement a measured return to training with guidance in June."

As of now, all GHSA activities remain suspended until further notice.

WJCL 22 News, an ABC affiliate in Savannah, has obtained one of the proposals being considered by GHSA officials concerning high school football.

The plan calls for high school football practice to begin on July 6 with five days of mandatory heat acclimation practices. Teams would be allowed to practice in helmets and shorts two hours per day.

From July 13-24, teams would be allowed to work out in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts for two hours per day. Teams would be allowed to hold their first full-pad workout on July 27.

Under the proposal, teams could participate in two fall scrimmages between August 6-15.

The 2020 regular season would kick off on August 21.

Again, no formal decisions have been made on a timeline and plan moving forward.

Hines adds in a post on the GHSA website, "All of the information needed to make such a decision is not available but we are working toward this goal. Social distancing, reduced numbers of athletes and coaches per session, disinfecting facilities as well as standard hygiene practices will certainly be a part of any return to sport training."