This petition is to persuade RI interscholastic league to change their current co-op rules and support the growth of female sports programs. We need to raise awareness and gather support for young female athletes, specifically hockey players, in the state of RI. These athletes are being denied the right to play high school sports due to antiquated and chauvinistic thinking. While the RIIL recognizes that participation is steadily declining in girls' hockey, they are refusing to make accommodations to allow student athletes the opportunity to play. When participation in certain sports declined, such as boys' football, co-ops were formed to support athletes' ability to play. I'm asking that they now update those same co-ops to support female sports with declining participation. By updating the current co-op team rules to mirror the successful programs in neighboring CT and MA, they could easily allow all female athletes to compete. 

For the 2022-2023 Academic year, numerous female ice hockey players in RI were denied the opportunity to play ice hockey unless they joined a boys’ team. Under Title IX of the United States Education Amendments of 1972, female and male sports separate based upon competitive skill or contact sports. Contact sports are defined under the Title IX regulation include boxing, wrestling, rugby, ice hockey, football, basketball and other sports in which the purpose or major activity involves bodily contact. These female student athletes are unfairly being given the choice to risk injury or be denied the opportunity to play as all Co-ops in RI have three school participating. The current rules with in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League prohibit more than three schools to form a co-op for high school sports. If the rule is amended or changed, more schools would be able to join Co-ops thus giving more athletes the opportunity to play the sport they love. Currently Massachusetts and Connecticut allow unlimited number of schools and all female athletes are given equal opportunity to play. They have figured out a way to make it work. I find it very hard to believe that if RIIL put effort into the job they are in place to do, support youth athletes, they couldn’t figure a way to increase inclusion of female athletes thus growing female sports. 

Girls are truly missing out on the spirit of competition, lifelong relationships and pride of representing their respected school in a sport that they love. These athletes may not be able to compete at collegiate level, possibly missing out on scholarships and ability to attend, due to lack of opportunities in high school. Updating this co-op rule will not only increase participation of girls hockey but provide opportunities to all athletes to play the sports they love. 

Please sign and share this petition, Call the Rhode Island Interscholastic League and express the importance of supporting female athletes and growing female sports. The way its been done is not working. Co-op teams were created to increase participation by adapting them now they can once again allow more athletes opportunities to play. Change is needed now to allow ALL females the opportunity to play sports. 

“JUST LET THEM PLAY”