A bunch of young basketball players at Corner Brook High are still waiting to find out when they can get back at shooting baskets in the gym.
The Grade 10 boys basketball program at the Corner Brook high school was halted two weeks ago leaving players who had earned a spot on the team in limbo. Further to that, parents were left scrambling for answers as to why such a decision was made.
In the short time after the team was shut down, the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District, along with school officials, conducted a review of the program.
Last Thursday, parents received a letter from Corner Brook High indicating there would be a resetting of the team after it was determined the original selection process had violated the school’s athletic policy.
The Western Star received a copy of the lengthy athletics policy at Corner Brook High that covers a coach’s responsibility, team uniforms, fundraising and the criteria for selecting a team.
The section of the policy that deals with selection of the team falls under player eligibility, which clearly states that all students named to a team at the school must attend Corner Brook High.
It is possible to select a player from a feeder school, but only after all avenues have been exhausted.
The athletic policy also states that if students or prospective coaches are interested in forming an athletic team at Corner Brook High they must make application to the school athletic director, who, in consultation with administration, will give all applications due consideration.
Coaching applications for those interested in coaching the Grade 10 boys team were to be submitted to athletic director Shannon Sweetland by Wednesday afternoon.
The school board has stated that an open tryout process will commence immediately following appointment of the coach.
