SWC COVID-19 ATHLETIC PROTOCOLS 
WINTER 2021 

As we face unprecedented challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the goal of the South-West Conference (SWC) has remained unchanged: to provide the safest possible environment for our student-athletes, coaches, and essential game personnel in all sports. The SWC strives to meet all requirements and guidelines set forth by the State of Connecticut and the CIAC emphasizing two priorities:

• Staying Safe: Health and safety remain our top priority. We will continue to make decisions that protect the health and safety of all student-athletes, coaches, officials, and essential game personnel. 
•  Working Together: We will collaborate with all member schools, local health departments, the CIAC, and the State of Connecticut in making decisions that are in the best interest of all fourteen schools in our conference.

Due to COVID 19, the SWC will be adopting the following changes for the Winter 2021 season:

• All players will arrive with face coverings which will be worn at all times, except in gymnastics when the athletes can remove their mask while they are actively participating.  
• All game personnel will be required to wear face coverings at all times including coaches, athletic directors, administration, event staff, and athletes who are not participating.
• Spectators for the visiting team will NOT be permitted at any venue.  Home fans MAY be admitted per individual district and local DPH regulations.
• Officials will not utilize a locker room and must wear face coverings at all times.
• Teams should arrive at competitions prepared to compete.  They may not have access to locker rooms at opposing sites.
• For contact tracing purposes all teams will provide a list of all who attended the contest if needed/requested.  
• Hydration stations and medical supplies will be the responsibility of both programs.

The most current CIAC Winter Sports Plan can be found by following this link:

https://casci.ac/6390

SWC Spectator Statement for Winter 2021

The South-West Conference encourages its member schools to follow the CIAC recommendation regarding fans aligning with all athletic decisions that have been made regarding health and safety of athletes and coaches.   “The CIAC position on fan/spectator attendance is that fans should not be allowed at interscholastic contests or practices… Notwithstanding the above, permissible spectator/fan attendance will be governed by local districts.”  (CIAC 2020-2021 Winter Sports Plan, Approved 1-14-2021)  

The SWC recognizes that the High School Principal, in consultation with the Superintendent and the local medical advisors may choose to allow fans at their school’s athletic competitions.  The SWC member schools unanimously agree that only fans from the host school will be allowed entry if fans are being allowed and notes that all state sector rules will be followed including mask wearing, social distancing and the following: “Only the necessary number of adults to hold practices and competitions shall attend, including no more than 1 parent/guardian per athlete so long as the venue allows for 6 ft. of social distancing of spectators, who must maintain social distancing and wear face coverings throughout the activity…” (CT Reopens Sports, Fitness Centers, 1/19/21 Update). Fans from the visiting team, opposing coaches for scouting, and members of the media will not be allowed entry

Congratulations to the 2020 SWC

Scholar-Leader Award Recipients

The South-West Conference is composed of 14 high schools located in the southwestern part of Connecticut.  SWC member schools belong to the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) and operate under the umbrella of the CIAC which governs high school athletics in Connecticut. SWC member schools also operate under the jurisdiction of the National Federation of High Schools which establishes the rules for most CIAC sanctioned sports.