While the calendar still says its summer, the fall sports season is rapidly approaching. With that in mind, the Westbrook High School athletic department has released the starting dates for the fall sports preseason.

The football team gets things under way on Aug. 17 with two practices for players in grades 10-12, the first from 7:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m., and the second from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the multi-purpose field.

Football practice for players in Grade 9 will start on Aug. 24 at a time to be announced, and team pictures will be on Aug. 22.

The boys soccer team will also get going on Aug. 17, with practices for all grade levels on Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-10 a.m., 3:30 p.m.-4:40 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. on the upper fields.

The girls soccer team will begin practice on Aug. 17 for all grade levels with two practices at 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. on the upper fields.

The golf team will also get started on Aug. 17. All players should meet at Sunset Ridge at 3 p.m. and players should bring their own clubs.

The Blazes’ field hockey team will begin practice on Aug. 17 for all grade levels from 4-7 p.m. on the field hockey field.

Both the boys and girls cross country teams will have their first practice on Aug. 17 for all grade levels from 7-9 a.m. on the high school track. The cheerleading squad will also get started on Aug. 17 with a practice from 4-6 p.m. in the high school gym.

The following forms must be completed and signed by the student and his/her parent/guardian before the student will be allowed to participate in any sport:

• emergency medical card

• athletic participation form

• media use permission form

• pre-participation athletic health screening and physical examination form

The required paperwork packets will be available at Westbrook High School.

All students must have a current physical exam, signed by a physician, clearing them to participate in athletic activities on file in the athletic office.

• Physicals completed by family physician are good for two years.
• Physicals completed by Stockwell Medical Associates and/or Sports Medicine Center are good for one year.
• Quick Care Centers are good for one year.
• Stockwell Medical Associates will give sports physicals at Westbrook High School on Friday, Aug. 14, from 1:30-3 p.m. The cost is $25 (if seen in physician’s office cost is considerably more), payable at the time of service.
• It is extremely important that the physical forms be completed and signed by parent/guardian and brought to the exam. No one is able to examine an athlete without parental consent. Verbal consent will not be accepted. It is recommended that male athletes wear a T-shirt and shorts and female athletes wear a bathing suit under a T-shirt and shorts for the exams.