Gloucester City Youth Soccer League Return to Play Notice & Guidelines

Version as of 5/30/2020

The purpose of this document is to provide players, parents, coaches, with return-to-play programming in the context of COVID-19. These guidelines focus on the early phases of return-to-play and additional guidelines as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.

These guidelines rely upon rules and regulations set forth by public health authorities, along with guidance from US Youth Soccer and US Soccer. In addition, we recognize that there will be other logistical and implementation challenges for participants and their families given COVID-19.

The knowledge and circumstances around COVID-19 are changing constantly and, as such, Gloucester City Youth Soccer League maintains that this document does not provide a full representation and assumes no responsibility for the completeness of this information due to the fluidity of COVID-19.

A Phased Approach based on Federal, State and Local Guidelines & Orders

Phase 1: Small group activities.

Small group training sessions (includes players, coaches and staff).

·       Parents will advised that if the player exhibits signs or symptoms of COVID-19 the player should be kept home.

·       Upon arrival to training/games, coaches or staff should ask each player if he/she is experiencing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell. If the player has any signs or symptoms of COVID- 19, he/she will be sent home and instructed to contact his/her healthcare provider as soon as possible.

·       Small group training sessions should take place outside in an area where physical distancing can be maintained.

·       Participants will use their own equipment and properly sanitize the equipment, not limited to water bottle, towel and any other personal hygiene products.

·       Establish a cleaning schedule/protocol for equipment with the proper use of disinfectant before, during, and after training.

·       Players are not required to use masks while performing physical activity. If a player feels comfortable wearing a mask they may.

·       Player, when off the field of play, must maintain physical distancing.

·       Spectators permitted with proper social and/or physical distancing and no contact with players or teams. At risk individuals should still take precautions

·       Coaches must maintain physical distancing from participants.

·       Designated areas for each participant’s gear will be clearly marked off the field

Phase 2 (Overview): Focused on team training with controlled scrimmages/small-sided games and some physical contact allowed

·         Coaches will limit physical contact between players.

·         2 Coaches on/in the filed area at any time.

·         If a field is being shared there will not be more than 4 coaches. (2 per half) on the field.

·         No sharing of water or equipment (exception for soccer balls)

·         Participants remain 6 feet apart off of the field

·         Designated areas for each participant’s gear should be clearly marked off the field

·         Spectators permitted with proper social and/or physical distancing and no contact with players or teams. At risk individuals should still take precautions.

·        Additional guidance may be added depending on CDC/State/NJ Youth Soccer guidance.

Phase 3 (Overview): Full return to play

·       No training restrictions

·       Physical contact should be minimized whenever possible

·       No sharing of water or equipment (exception for soccer balls)

·       Participants remain 6 feet apart off of the field

·       Spectators permitted with proper social or physical distancing and no contact with players or teams. At risk individuals should still take precautions.

·       No more than 4 coaches per games allowed in the field area. (2 per side)

·       Additional guidance may be added depending on CDC/State/NJ Youth Soccer guidance

Introduction of Principles and Responsibilities

Recommended Club Responsibilities:

·       Provide adequate field space for physical distancing.

·       Create and distribute protocols to members.

·       Have an effective communication plan in place and develop a relationship and a dialogue with local health officials.

·       Understand from insurers to ensure all coverages and communicate that information to participants prior to commencement of initial training.

·       Have an action plan to notify adult leaders, youth and their families if the organization becomes aware of a participant or adult leader has developed COVID-19 and may have been infectious to others while at a youthactivity (remain mindful of maintaining participant confidentiality regarding health status).

·       Be sensitive and accommodating to parents who may be uncomfortable with returning to play at this time.

·       Be prepared to shut down and stop operations.

·       Develop plans for temporary closure of indoor facilities and cancellation of outdoor activities or camps for proper disinfection.

Recommended Coach Responsibilities:

·       Prioritize the health and safety of the participants.

·       Inquire how the athletes are feeling. Send home anyone you believe acts or looks ill.

·       Exercise reasonable care to ensure all athletes have their own individual equipment (ball, water, bag etc.) and station on the sideline for their equipment (e.g. backpack).

·       Coach should maintain physical distance requirements from players based on state and local health requirements and exercise reasonable care to ensure players practice appropriate physical distancing (e.g. prohibit high-5s, hugs, handshakes, fist-bumps, etc.).

·       Ensure coach is the only person to handle equipment (e.g. cones, disk etc.); do not enlist parental or attendee assistance. The use of scrimmage vests, or pinnies, is not recommended at this time.

·       All training should be conducted outdoors and compliant with physical distancing per state or local health guidelines.

·       Wear a face mask during coaching.

·       Have fun, stay positive – players and parents are looking to you for leadership.

Recommended Parent Responsibilities:

·       Ensure your child is healthy and check your child’s temperature before activities with others.\

·       Parents will provide their players their own chair to sit in and place personal equipment. There will not be benches to sit on.

·       Adhere to social distance requirements, based on state and local health requirements

·       Ensure washing (e.g. hands) takes place after every training.

·       Ensure clothes and equipment (clothes, cleats, ball, shin guards etc.) are sanitized before and after every training.

·       Notify your club immediately if your child becomes ill for any reason.

·       Do not assist your coach with equipment before or after training.

·       Be sure your child has necessary sanitizing products with them at every training.

Recommended Player Responsibilities:

·       Wash hands thoroughly before and after training.

·       Bring, and use, hand sanitizer with you at every training.

·       Bring their own chair to sit in and place bags and equipment in it when not in use. No benches will be provided.

·       Wear mask before and immediately after all training.

·       Utilize your designated location and do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment, water, food or bags.

·       Practice social distancing, place bags and equipment at least 6 feet apart.

·       Wash and sanitize all equipment before and after every training.

·       No group celebrations, high-5s, hugs, handshakes, fist-bumps, etc.

·       Follow all CDC guidelines as well those of your local health authorities.