Badger Region clubs, facilities and cities have final say on their mask regulations
Tuesday, September 28th, 2021
Will I have to wear a mask while playing, coaching, officiating or attending a Badger Region event this season?
Right now, the answer is: maybe.
It’s probably not an answer anyone wants to hear because there is so much uncertainty in that answer.
With the current climate across the state of Wisconsin so varied, the Badger Region Board of Directors has chosen not to implement a region-wide mask mandate for the 2021-22 season at this time.
The story, however, does not end there. There are different ways that masks may be required.
Club directors have the authority to mandate that their members wear masks if that is the direction set by their organization.
A facility director or site director has the ability to create or enforce a mask mandate if that is the rules at a building being used for a tournament, clinic, camp or training opportunity, and any event held in that building — and all the people who are part of that event — must abide by it or the event risks getting shut down. Individuals may be asked to leave, or be removed, if they are going against the facility or event guidelines, and oftentimes refunds will not be provided.
As we all know, a municipality or local health organization can mandate masks in their community.
Those organizations have the ability to enforce their mask mandates. However, Badger Region does not have the staff, time or resources to monitor every mask at every event on our list of hosted and sanctioned events. We request that people abide by the policies that are outlined for the specific event or facility, and follow the CDC guidelines regarding masking and vaccination status.
We are watching the case numbers, especially in young children, very closely, and will be in contact with club directors or event participants should something change.
The Badger Region encourages everyone to follow directions provided by the Center for Disease Control including masking for anyone not eligible for a vaccine for COVID-19 or anyone not fully vaccinated — thus the requirement in the Badger Region Youth Fall Volleyball League that all fifth-grade athletes be masked during competition, as this event is specifically for an age group that does not yet have access to a vaccine.
“Not everyone is going to be happy with any answer we give regarding masking,” said Jennifer Armson-Dyer, Executive Director and Commissioner of Badger Region Volleyball. “However, it is our job to provide opportunities for players to participate, coaches to coach and officials to officiate. If there is a COVID-19 outbreak and the events are shut down and people are hospitalized or worse, that is the direct opposite of providing opportunities, and we would hope that all adults understand this, even if they don’t like it. We are relying on the personal ethics and morals to keep ALL people safe while at these events, and hope that those unvaccinated individuals wear masks at all times, and no one shows up while sick or having a known exposure to COVID-19.”
If you have questions about mask mandates in your area or at events your team will attend this year, contact your program or club director.
