Playing sports in high school is a great way for teens to stay active, learn teamwork, and gain valuable life skills. But what if you are over 19 years old and still want to play high school sports in Florida? Can you still join the team and compete? The answer is yes, you can still play high school sports at 19 in Florida.
Age Requirements to Play High School Sports in Florida
In Florida, the age limit to play high school sports is 19 years old. According to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), if you are over 19 years old before August 1 of the current school year, then you are not eligible to compete in high school sports. This means that if you turn 19 before August 1 of the current school year, you will not be able to compete in high school sports during that year.
Exceptions to the Age Limit
Although the age limit to play high school sports in Florida is 19 years old, there are a few exceptions to this rule. The following are the exceptions to the age limit:
Exception 1: Age Waiver
The first exception is an age waiver. According to the FHSAA, if you are over 19 years old but have not participated in any organized sports during the past two years, you may be eligible to receive an age waiver. To request an age waiver, you must submit a written request to the FHSAA.
Exception 2: Military Waiver
The second exception is a military waiver. According to the FHSAA, if you are over 19 years old and have been on active military duty during the past two years, you may be eligible to receive a military waiver. To request a military waiver, you must submit a written request to the FHSAA.
Exception 3: Home School Waiver
The third exception is a home school waiver. According to the FHSAA, if you are over 19 years old and have been home schooled for the past two years, you may be eligible to receive a home school waiver. To request a home school waiver, you must submit a written request to the FHSAA.
Benefits of Playing High School Sports in Florida
There are many benefits to playing high school sports in Florida. Some of these benefits include:
- Physical Activity: Participating in high school sports helps to keep you physically active, which can help to improve your overall health and wellness.
- Teamwork: Playing high school sports can help you to develop teamwork skills, which are essential for success in life.
- Leadership: Participating in high school sports can help you to develop your leadership skills, which are important for success in any career.
- Life Skills: Playing high school sports can help you to learn valuable life skills, such as time management, goal setting, and communication.
Requirements to Play High School Sports in Florida
In addition to meeting the age requirements, there are other requirements that you must meet in order to play high school sports in Florida. Some of these requirements include:
- Academics: You must maintain passing grades in all courses in order to remain eligible to play high school sports in Florida.
- Attendance: You must maintain good attendance in order to remain eligible to play high school sports in Florida.
- Sportsmanship: You must abide by the rules of sportsmanship in order to remain eligible to play high school sports in Florida.
- Drugs and Alcohol: You must abstain from the use of drugs and alcohol in order to remain eligible to play high school sports in Florida.
How to Join a High School Sports Team in Florida
If you meet the age and other requirements to play high school sports in Florida, then you can join a high school sports team. To join a high school sports team in Florida, you must:
- Register with the FHSAA: You must register with the FHSAA in order to join a high school sports team in Florida.
- Find a Team: You must find a high school sports team that is looking for new players.
- Complete Tryouts: You must complete tryouts in order to make the team.
- Sign up for Classes: You must sign up for classes at the school in order to be eligible to play.
Things to Consider Before Joining a High School Sports Team in Florida
Before you join a high school sports team in Florida, there are a few things that you should consider. Some of these things include:
- Time Commitment: Playing high school sports can be time consuming. Make sure that you have the time to commit to the team before you join.
- Costs: There may be costs associated with playing high school sports, such as equipment, travel, and registration fees. Make sure that you are able to afford these costs before you join the team.
- Competition: High school sports can be competitive. Make sure that you are up for the challenge before you join the team.
- Support: Playing high school sports can be a great experience, but it can also be challenging. Make sure that you have the support of your family and friends before you join the team.
Conclusion
Playing high school sports in Florida is a great way for teens to stay active, learn teamwork, and gain valuable life skills. Although the age limit to play high school sports in Florida is 19 years old, there are a few exceptions to this rule. There are also many benefits to playing high school sports in Florida, such as physical activity, teamwork, leadership, and life skills. In addition to meeting the age requirements, there are other requirements that you must meet in order to play high school sports in Florida. To join a high school sports team in Florida, you must register with the FHSAA, find a team, complete tryouts, and sign up for classes. Before you join a high school sports team in Florida, there are a few things that you should consider, such as time commitment, costs, competition, and support.
In conclusion, you can still play high school sports at 19 in Florida as long as you meet the age requirements and other requirements set forth by the FHSAA.