Combined middle school sports to begin this fall

FALLS VILLAGE — Region One School District Athletic Director Anne MacNeil told the Middle School Athletics and Activities Committee on Wednesday, May 26, that she is proceeding with scheduling  for fall of 2021-22 on the assumption that it will be “a relatively normal-looking school year.”

This school year would have been the first year of the new regional middle school athletics plan, in which middle school students play on Region One teams rather than teams from the six kindergarten to grade eight schools.

But the COVID-19 pandemic put all that on hold.

MacNeil said in a phone interview Thursday, May 27, that coaching jobs are posted on the Region One website (www.region1schools.org). She told the committee that she has not received many applications yet, and is trying to get the word out.

MacNeil said she has asked the K-8 administrators to notify faculty members (many of whom also coach) that the jobs are open.

The fall sports will be cross-country and soccer. On the activities side, middle school students will be able to participate in the artgarage after-school program at Housatonic Valley Regional High School.

Coaches need to have a coaching permit and first aid certification; MacNeil said for certified teachers this is an easy process.

For non-teacher candidates, it is a little more complicated and involves some course work. However, coaching candidates can get an emergency permit that allows them to coach while completing the course work.

MacNeil said she is happy to assist anyone in that process.

The committee discussed the name and uniforms for the middle school teams. They will wear blue and gold, same as the high school, and use the high school’s team name, the Mountaineers.

MacNeil said calling the teams the Region One Mountaineers will build camaraderie and establish continuity between the middle school and high school sports programs.