The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association has pushed back nearly all high school winter sports to the new year, as sports around New Jersey are capping off their fall sports season and preparing for winter sports.

"As many schools may be shifting to a remote learning model during the holiday season either proactively or in response to community spread, therefore, in order for your season to start with the least amount of disruption, we feel it is in the best interest of everyone to wait until after the winter holiday break to start practices in the sports,” says NJSIAA COO Colleen Maguire.

Basketball, fencing and bowling can begin practice and competition in January; swimming and winter track and field in February, and gymnastics, girls' volleyball and wrestling in March.

Hockey, which can start practicing in December, is the only winter sport to not be pushed back due to contractual obligations with rinks.

"For winter track and field, we hope that indoor capacity restrictions will ease, which could allow for indoor competition. If not, there is a better chance that the weather will allow for polar bear meets,” says Maguire.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order earlier this week lowering the limit on indoor gatherings. Under the executive order, indoor sports practices and games are allowed to surpass the 10-person cap, but only for those necessary for competition, such as the players, coaches and referees -- meaning spectators are not allowed. The association is also focusing on the spring sports schedule. 

“While your season may start later than the usual schedule, it will also end later,” says Maguire. “Our goal is to provide a meaningful season that will have a path to traditional state championships."

The association says plans will be released on or before Dec. 11 for the spring sports season, and that the season will likely be extended through June.