COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for all students and staff participating in high-risk Middle School Athletic League (MSAL) sports during the 2021-22 school year. This vaccination requirement applies to all participants in high-risk sports, including students (both DOE and charter), Coaches, MSAL officials, and Athletic Directors.

The Middle School Athletic League and Manhattan Youth provide extracurricular middle school sports to students and communities all across New York City. Our health and safety protocols are in alignment with recent New York State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, which states that high-risk sports and extracurricular activities should be virtual or canceled in areas of high community transmission unless all participants are fully vaccinated. Therefore, in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak, Manhattan Youth is not responsible for non-Manhattan Youth afterschool programs.

Currently, the only high-risk sport for the MSAL Fall 2021 season is volleyball. Students participating in low-risk sports (Soccer, Flag Football, & Cross Country) for the MSAL Fall 2021 season are not required to be vaccinated, however all participants including coaches, athletes, and officials must wear proper face coverings in accordance with NYCDOE policy. Face coverings must be worn at all times (sidelines, timeouts, etc.), regardless of an individual’s COVID-19 vaccine status.

Participants in fall high-risk sports must get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by September 27 in accordance with city policy. Winter and Spring MSAL participants have until the beginning of their respective seasons to be fully vaccinated. Basketball (season starts 12/6/22) is classified as high risk for the MSAL Winter season, as well as Lacrosse in the MSAL Spring season (season starts 4/18/22).

The Middle School Athletic League is following health and safety protocols that have been put in place by both the NYCDOE and PSAL. See below.

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/sports-and-staying-active/public-schools-athletic-league

Below you will find the protocols and guidance set in place by the MSAL & Manhattan Youth to make sure afterschool sports are both safe and fun.

The NYC MSAL COVID-19 Safety Plan & Policy must be filled out by all participating schools in order to participate within the MSAL. The principals and head coaches of participating schools are responsible for filling out the COVID-19 safety plan. In lieu of a principle, an after school director or program affiliated with DYCD may sign this form. The purpose of this safety plan is to educate the MSAL community about the COVID-19 safety protocols set in place by the NYCDOE, PSAL, MSAL, & Manhattan Youth in order to keep our community safe and healthy.
NYC Middle School Athletic League COVID-19 Safety Plan & Policy: http://bitly.com/msalpolicyfall2021

Contact Tracing
The Middle School Athletic League Contact Tracing Log must be completed by both participating teams at all scheduled MSAL outdoor events. Once the MSAL scheduled game is over, both coaches will submit the contact tracing log to the MSAL by way of the MSAL Participant Log Upload Form Online. If there is a COVID-19 outbreak at any MSAL participating school we will use the contact tracing log to inform all participating parties about the possible outbreak.
Middle School Athletic League Contact Tracing Log: http://bitly.com/msallog

MSAL Participant Log Upload Form
MSAL Participant Log Upload Form (Google Form Online) – Once a MSAL outdoor event has concluded coaches are responsible for uploading their participant logs into our Online Google Form “MSAL Participant Log Upload Form”. Each school must upload their log within 24 hours of the scheduled MSAL outdoor event. Logs will be maintained confidentially in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations by the MSAL.
MSAL Participant Log Upload Form (Google Form Online): http://bitly.com/msallogupload