POCA, W.Va. — The boys soccer team at Poca High School will be playing again this season.
Putnam County Schools announced on Wednesday that it has reinstated the soccer program after it was canceled last week due to the lack of players.
“We are extremely excited for Poca High School and the community,” CD Caldwell, Director of Administrative Services told 580-WCHS. “Especially for those players to see them back on the field and playing, doing what they love to do.”
The school system’s policy requires a minimum of 15 athletes on a soccer team but the Dots only had 14 players. The problem was brought up by a citizen who voiced concern to Caldwell and the school district for the player’s health after nine players playing in a full game.
Caldwell said upon further investigation, the team did not meet the required number of athletes and he contacted the high school.
According to Putnam County Schools, since the cancellation last Thursday, an exchange student had expressed interest in joining the squad. The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission approved his eligibility after a review, giving Poca 15 players.
Six days went by without Poca having a boys soccer team which resulted in opponents on the schedule and Poca canceling future games. Caldwell said the school district is working hard to reschedule games with those schools.
“It would have been better to have been addressed way earlier so they could have worked within the policy at that time,” Caldwell said.