Dighton-Rehoboth girls field hockey team forfeiting two games due to male player on Somerset-Berkley

A high school sports team in Bristol County is forfeiting two games in what they call a move in the name of safety.

Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School girls field hockey team have opted out of two upcoming games against Somerset-Berkley this year because they have a male player.

According to Dighton-Rehoboth school committee member Katie Ferreira-Aubin, “Dighton Rehoboth has prioritized safety over victory for the second consecutive year, choosing not to compete against Somerset Berkley! This decision exemplifies the importance of an athlete’s well-being, physically and mentally particularly in light of Massachusetts state law allowing boys to play on girls’ teams. The policy at DR was sparked by a serious injury sustained by an athlete during a 2023 game involving a male player. I stand with the DR field hockey team; we champion their commitment to safety and empowerment.”

The incident Ferreira-Aubin is referring to occurred after a female Dighton-Rehoboth field hockey player was seriously injured by a male player on the Swampscott High School team in November of 2023.

The 2023 incident resulted in the school adopting the following policy.

“The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School Committee believes that students will benefit from the experiences in self-discipline and team effort made possible through participation in inter-school sports. 

“Participation in interscholastic athletics will be subject to approval by the School Committee and will be in accordance with regulations and recommendations of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. 

“At the high school level, interscholastic athletic competition will include a variety of sports. Students will be allowed to participate in individual sports on the basis of their abilities and desire. Additionally, intramural athletic activities may be offered as an outgrowth of class instruction in physical education. 

“The School Committee is aware that team participation in athletic contests by members of the student body requires that “away games” be scheduled. It also recognizes that there is a need to regulate certain aspects of student participation in such contests. Therefore, the Superintendent will establish regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff members who participate in these activities. 

“No coach of a single-sex team shall be penalized by the District for forfeiting a match against an opposing team because such team includes athletes of the opposite sex. 

“No student athlete on a single-sex team shall be penalized by the District in any manner for refusing to play in a match or any part thereof against an opposing team because that team includes a member of the opposite sex. For the purposes of this paragraph, a “penalty” includes but is not limited to loss of playing time or loss of starting status. “