High school football in Windsor-Essex grounded again, but players and parents aren't sitting on sidelines

A group of high school students and their parentsare pushing back against a decisionto cancel this year's football season in Windsor-Essex.

On Thursday, a joint statement confirming the cancellation was issued bythe:

• Windsor and Essex County Secondary Schools Athletic Association.
• Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board.
• Greater Essex County District School Board.
• Conseil scolaire catholiqueProvidence.

"I hope they completely change their attitude," said Dean Facca, aGrade 11 student andlinesman for W.F. Herman Academy."I hope they realize how much it means, not only to the students, but to the community of Windsor."

There's now a petition opposing the southwestern Ontario school boards' decision. As of Thursday evening, it had more than 2,800 signatures.

"The fact that they don't really recognize the importance of sports, especially football, specifically, not only for adolescent development, but forcommunity-wise, I think they're making a big mistake," Deansaid.

Sonny Chantler, a Grade 12 student and varsity football player at W.F. Herman, said he is confused by the decision because indoor sports like basketball are going forward.

"A sport that's indoors and has contact, they're allowing that, but a sport that's outdoors and has contact, they're not allowing. It's a little bit suspicious to me."

Chantlerhopesto pursue football in university, but fears thedecision to cancel high school play this year could make or break his chances of recruitment for a scholarship.

"Grade 11 and Grade 12 are your biggest years. There is only so much a coach can look at in a post-grad year. For me, I haven't had film [to send to recruiters] since Grade 10 and that was when I was junior varsity."

Last year, football was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"I feel like another year of high school ball not happening wouldn't be fair to the kids at all," he said.

Gino Facca, Dean's father wrote a letter to each school board requesting a meeting as soon as possible to discuss the reason forthe decision.

He said football at the high school level is important because it anaccessible entry point.

WATCH | W.F. Herman high school player talks about missing 2nd football season:

High school football postponed in Windsor-Essex

3 years ago

Duration 1:06

A linesman for W.F. Herman Academy talks about missing his second season of high school football.

"High school, a kid can get up one day on Monday and say, 'Hey I'm going tryto go playfootball.' That might lead him to play on more advanced stuff or he might get hit three or four times and say, 'I don't like this," Gino said.

The boards cited equipment safety as one of the main reasons for the cancellation.

According to the statement, football helmets must be certified by the manufacturer on an annual basis to meet safety standards. It's estimated the processtakes six weeks or more.Once certification is complete, teams are required to hold 10practices with full padding before the season can begin.

During a news conference with the municipality ofChatham-Kent,John Howitt, director of education for theLambton-Kent District School Board, said it was unlikely football would proceed in the fall season in that school board as well, as justtwo schools, short of the required three,expressed interest in moving forward.

CBCWindsor has confirmed other school boards in the province, including London, Hamilton and Thunder Bay, are going ahead with their football seasons.

Dean Faccasaid he would consider going to a school in a city where the games are continuing.

'Head scratcher'

Alan Halberstadt, a trustee forthe Greater Essex County District School Board, saida lot of people are "scratching their heads" about the decision.

"They were assuming at one point, the province would sayno football, but the province didn't say no football," Halberstadt said.

"Somebody maybe dropped the ball in getting those helmets ready."

Halberstadtsaid he plans to requesta meeting with the school boards and thetrusteesto discuss the situation and ask questions.