WFIS thanks Mark DeJonge, Bellevue Christian School’s Athletic Director, for representing private schools on the WIAA executive board. We appreciate his thoughtful approach to complicated and sometimes contentious issues that the WIAA must carefully consider.
As reported by the WIAA, they sanctioned a new sport for the first time since 1999: girls’ flag football. Female student-athletes will be able to participate in a new, healthy, organized activity and competition.
The WIAA membership also approved a significant change to transfer eligibility rules. After establishing initial eligibility at a high school, students may transfer once during their four-year high school career, but only within designated transfer windows. This is not a “transfer portal” and does not resemble the NCAA’s current model. Under the new rule, a student-athlete who transfers will be ineligible for varsity competition for 40% of the maximum number of allowable contests for sports played the previous year, as defined by each sport’s specific rules, in the school year following the transfer.
The WIAA Representative Assembly, comprised of 53 school administrators from across six districts, voted on two other proposed amendments, which would not have been implemented under current Washington State law. They were brought forward for discussion and an advisory-only vote:
- Amendment #7 proposed limiting participation in girls’ sports to biological females.
- Amendment #8 proposed offering separate athletic programs for boys, girls, and an open division for all students.
Amendment #7 received a majority vote but did not reach the 32-vote threshold required to pass a high school/middle-level amendment. Amendment #8 did not reach a majority vote. As advisory votes, they reflect the positions of their leagues and WIAA districts.
