Middle school Students from the McCleary School District again will have the opportunity to join Elma sports teams for the upcoming school year.

The opportunity comes courtesy of a Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) agreement which allows for a neighboring school to allow students from another district to play on their athletic teams.

Specifically, it will allow McCleary middle schoolers to participate in Elma girls soccer, boys soccer and wrestling.

Elma Superintendent Kevin Acuff said it is a fairly common practice. He said last year a baseball player from Oakville participated on Elma’s team.

“It simply allows students from McCleary to come to Elma to compete in those sports,” he said.

McCleary Superintendent Dan Cassler said the two districts are working closely together to offer students the opportunity to play the sports.

“Those sports are available to our McCleary kids, but it’s dependent on transportation,” Cassler said.

McCleary students looking to participate in sports at Elma will need to secure transportation back home from practice.

“As long as they can hop on the bus and then have a parent pick them up and bring them home, it’s a possibility.”

The Elma school board approved the resolution at its school board meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 23.

“The board approved something that just gives kids opportunities,” Acuff said. “It’s as simple as that.”