Work is underway to finalize details for sports teams in the Hanover School Division.

Assistant Superintendent Colin Campbell says two of the four high schools have basketball teams competing this season. The other two schools were unable to put teams together.

Part of the reason for that is the new public health orders that require students to either have one dose of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test.

The order applies to all youth aged 12 to 17, entering any indoor sporting or recreation facility to watch or participate.

“In this (public health) order, there’s no testing option for volunteers,” Campbell notes. “So, that has had an impact on one of our schools, unfortunately.”

Volunteer coaches must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

xtra-curricular activities.

“We have some parents that are frustrated and disappointed that they are in a position to have to make these decisions,” says Campbell.

He recognizes that parents are asked to make important decisions, and it’s not easy for many people.

“They're challenging decisions and we’re empathetic towards families that have to make these decisions,” Campbell says. “At the same time, for some families this is pretty straightforward for them.”

As a rural school division, Campbell notes some students are being left out from extra-curricular sports because they don’t have easy access to a pharmacy for regular COVID-19 testing.

And for other students, they don't have the money to pay for frequent testing.