6th Graders Should Be Allowed to Play Sports Should 6th Graders Be in School Sports

ASHEVILLE - Middle school principals and athletic directors were divided over whether Buncombe County sixth-graders should be allowed to try out for most school sports teams.

A survey of the seven Buncombe County middle schools found that three favored allowing sixth-graders to compete, two schools opposed it and two were in favor of allowing it only in non-contact sports such as tennis and golf.

David Ball, district athletic specialist for Buncombe County Schools, presented the survey and the pros and cons raised by the schools during a work session with school board members Thursday afternoon.

Members of the school board gave the OK for the district to develop protocols and criteria for sixth-graders who want to take part in middle school sports.

But a decision on the issue won't be made at least until January.

In the meantime, the district will try to address some issues such as supervision of sixth-graders while they are at the middle schools.

Ball said the district also has to develop tryout protocol and criteria to evaluate sixth-graders. Coaches would have to determine if the younger students were physically, mentally and emotionally ready to compete with older students.

The board is grappling with the issue following a decision by the state Board of Education in August to allow school districts to permit sixth-graders to take part in middle school sports with the exception of football. The state board left it up to each school district to decide.

McDowell County Schools began allowing sixth-graders to try out for teams this fall, according to Ball.

Schools systems in Henderson, Haywood and Transylvania counties plan to allow sixth-graders to try out for sports this winter, Ball said.

For Buncombe County, the decision is complicated by the four intermediate schools for fifth- and sixth-graders. Sixth-graders at those schools would have to be bused to the middle schools for tryouts and practice.

Koontz Intermediate creates another challenge because those students are split between two middle schools – Valley Springs and Cane Creek.

Ball said school officials surveyed principals and athletic directors at seven middle schools. The administrators were asked to poll their coaches.

He pointed out that the district isn't creating sixth-grade teams and that those students would compete with seventh- and eighth-graders.

Among the benefits of allowing sixth-grade participation, smaller schools would be able to field all teams. For example, Reynolds Middle School didn't have enough students for a tennis team, Ball said. If sixth-graders could compete, the school would have had enough students.

Another benefit would be providing an opportunity for students who want to play but can't afford to be part of expensive travel teams, he said. Some school officials also felt sports might provide a "hook" to connect struggling students to school.

But among the concerns, officials worry about the potential for increases in injuries and bullying or hazing of younger students.

Adding sixth-graders would also mean fewer spots for seventh- and eighth-graders on middle school teams. Most of those teams already have to cut students. And it could mean less participation in after-school clubs by sixth-graders.

All Buncombe County middle schools compete in the French Broad Athletic Conference along with Asheville Middle School.

"This allows for local competitions with minimal travel cost and minimal loss of instructional time," Ball said.

Sports include cross country, volleyball, soccer, tennis, cheerleading, basketball, wrestling, baseball, softball, track and golf.

Board member Amy Churchill pointed out that while sixth-graders can't compete in football due to possible injuries, they could be allowed in soccer and cheerleading, which also pose injury risks.

Churchill said she would be more accepting of sixth-graders taking part on club teams.

Board member Chip Craig said middle schools sports are competitive, and coaches aren't going to play a student who isn't ready.

Should WNC sixth-graders play school sports?

City school board discusses sixth-graders and sports

6th Graders Should Be Allowed to Play Sports Should 6th Graders Be in School Sports

Source: https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2016/10/06/opinions-mixed-over-buncombe-sixth-graders-playing-sports/91705420/

Share this post