NVSL Swim and Dive have decided to cancel the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Safety is of utmost concern and there is too much uncertainty surrounding the pandemic for them to be able to plan a season that would be safe and enjoyable for the NVSL families.

Below is an email message from the NVSL League Executive Board that was sent out 5/7/2020:

Dear NVSL Swimmers, Divers, Families, Volunteers and Sponsors,

Planning for the 2020 season began even as the 2019 season came to a close. We eagerly looked forward to commemorating our 65th anniversary as a league of more than 17,000 incredible swimmers and divers. As we know, the spread of the COVID-19 virus resulted in significant changes in our plans and daily lives. Despite our best efforts to gather as much information about the implications of COVID-19 to confidently hold a potential season, we have reached the difficult decision that the 2020 season must be canceled. We feel profound sadness knowing the disappointment this will cause, but the decision was made to prioritize the safety of our participants, supporters, and communities.

Over the last eight weeks, both the Executive Board and the full League Board met more than a dozen times to monitor the ongoing developments related to COVID-19. We gathered input from public health officials, as well as elected and appointed representatives from all levels of government. Most importantly, we sought input from all 102 teams through the 17 Division Coordinators. The common thread in the feedback, along with the disappointment of missing a special summer tradition, was the commitment to health and safety. The Board greatly appreciates the constructive conversations that advanced the discussion on the status of the 2020 season. We took into account as much information as we could to determine whether the League could operate in a safe and healthy way that did not put overwhelming logistical and organizational pressure on the League’s teams. The final vote of the Board in favor of cancellation was 19 in favor, 2 opposed and 3 abstentions.

We expect that teams will have many questions, and we will work quickly to answer where possible. At this moment, we can assure you of the following:

–       Senior swimmers and divers will have the opportunity to apply for 2020 NVSL scholarships.

–       Team dues will be fully refunded.

We are looking ahead and already planning how to make the 2021 season the best one yet.

Sincerely,

The NVSL Executive Board

We are sad to lose this season and disappoint our divers, but  look forward to 2021, when we will return with a new appreciation for what NVSL means to all of us.  In the meantime we are exploring other options for our divers this summer depending on pool operations.

Your OVL Dive Reps

Shalla, Whitney and Deb