NEWS

Section 1 Changes for 2024-25

JANUARY 26, 2024

Some changes of note for the 2024-25 Soccer season:

"Effective in the fall of 2024, the Athletic Council approved a proposal to eliminate overtime in boys and girls soccer for the regular season. The decision was made to provide relief to athletes and prevent an unnecessary risk of injury. The elimination of overtime periods will reduce the need for additional playing time during the fall season, when weather-related postponements can cause the schedule to result in athletes playing as many as 320 minutes of more in a given week. The increase often occurs as teams lead into the Section One tournament, potentially leaving them at a disadvantage when moving through sectional and regional play."

Whether you're in favor of or opposed to the change, regular season matches in the fall of 2024 will conclude following 80 minutes regardless of the score. A major change from what has typically been the regular season overtime format.

"The Athletic Council voted to create a Section One Community Service Award to better recognize the work being done by coaches and their student-athletes. The Sportsmanship Committee believes this new award, which will go into effect in the fall of 2024, will help honor and promote the student-athletes of Section One for a wider range of their work in the area of civility and sportsmanship. The Sportsmanship Committee also believes this award will complement other existing awards, which honor certified officials, teams, and individual athletes for their outstanding displays of sportsmanship. All forms of service, including volunteerism, donation, and mentoring, will be honored and valued by this new award.

There will be one winner selected by the Sportsmanship Committee each season. Administrators, coaches, and student-athletes are eligible to apply on behalf of their team or school. Only teams from NYSPHSAA-sanctioned sports will be eligible, but teams will not need to be in-season to apply for the award."

It is great to see the NYSPHSAA and Section One in lockstep with the John Jay Soccer Program with respect to sportsmanship, community service, volunteerism, mentorship, and the like. It coincides perfectly with the introduction of the C.A.R.E.S. Initiative that the John Jay Soccer Program has also rolled out for 2024, and we will certainly attempt to be in the mix for consideration of the inaugural Section One Community Service Award.

Category: SECTION 1 SOCCER