The Western Ohio Junior Football Conference board of directors have voted to cancel the 2020 season with the well being of the community as their first priority.
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Local sports groups have been forced to make tough decisions because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Tracy Mason told Newscenter 7′s Katy Andersen it’s heartbreaking news for her son, Caleb. This would have been his fourth year playing in the conference.
“They just love being out there – all the kids. They just love being together,” Mason said. “[Caleb] will be very upset and will definitely cry… He looks forward to it.”
The conference posted a message to their website telling parents the Board of Directors had voted to cancel their upcoming season because “the risk of the current pandemic is too great to ignore.”
“I absolutely understand their reasoning behind it, because of the guidelines set fourth right now for them to actually operate a football season,” Mason said. “It wasn’t a surprise that it got canceled, we were just praying it wouldn’t.”
Mason said many parents, including herself, have already paid for their children to play this season.
“At this point, there probably won’t be a refund because our jerseys are made individually. So my son’s name is on the back of his jersey – which is understandable, the league did their job.”
Newcenter 7′s Katy Andersen reached out to the WOJFC Board Thursday, but board members said they wanted to wait a few days before doing an interview.
With no fall football season for children in this conference, some parents worry their children will suffer.
“A lot of sports for these kids is their safe place. It’s a place they can go and feel love and support, and social interaction is very important at their age,” Mason said.
Dr. Sherman Alter at Dayton Children’s Hospital said parents need to stay positive and talk to their kids.
“Yes, I think it’s disappointing,” Alter said. “I think you try the best you can to explain what is happening and let them carry on with the rest of their life right now.”
WOJFC said they are working hard in the upcoming months for future football possibilities, including the Spring
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