In a major reversal, league members voted 41-37 to eliminate the Association Rule that has prevented Southern Section coaches from coaching their own players out of season. It had allowed the Southern Section to impose an unofficial break time for coaches and athletes.

 

High school coaches will now be allowed to coach their own players on club teams effective July 1, but Staunton expressed concern that players could be “extorted” to join a coach’s club team or not be allowed to play on the high school team.

 

“This is the biggest change in 25 years,” said Dave Reid, district athletic director for Corona-Norco. “It’s going to force principals to take charge of their athletic programs.”

Principals in the Southern Section must decide on use of their facilities by their own coaches during the off-season, with liability issues in the forefront.

 

“They are the gatekeepers, and it’s what they are willing to allow,” Reid said.

 

An attempt was made to revisit the issue after concerns by some league representatives who thought their vote on the Association Rule only involved girls’ water polo, but it failed to gain the necessary two-thirds vote.

 

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