Prep Sports rallies set for Friday in San Diego County and across the state

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Members from a statewide group called the Golden State HS Football Coaches and the Facebook page “Let Them Play,” which has nearly 30,000 followers are asking for a chance to have sports play out this academic year.

Many from that page have sent out notices on social media to invite people to attend simultaneous rallies across California Friday in an effort to be seen and heard, and to express their concerns.

Prep sports have not happened on high school campuses since March, when the coronavirus pandemic first took hold, shuttering schools.

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond and area football players and coaches will hold a “Let Them Play” rally calling on
Gov. Gavin Newsom to allow children to play youth sports while the COVID-19 pandemic continues Friday morning at Torrey Pines High School.

Coaches say according to the data they’ve compiled COVID-19 rates are so low in in athletes and coaches means prep sports gatherings are not superspreaders.

Prep sports will need clearance from the California Department of Public Health to resume full competition.

The CDPH announced last month that prep sports in California would not start before Jan. 25, per its updated youth sports guidelines.

Supervisor Fletcher recently said, “our hope is that certainly by the Fall, all of our sports are back, and we’re doing what we can in order to achieve it.”

Sports such as football will not be allowed until counties are in the orange reopening tier.