Happy New Year to all of our TUFC family!
We start 2021 with the promise of an approved COVID-19 vaccine that will permit us to return to normal lives sometime in the near future. However, we remain challenged with the current reality of near record spread across our communities and state. With the recent holiday break, we must take all precautions as the full impact of gatherings over holidays is starting to show.
We are fortunate to be able to play the sport we love but must remain vigilant to protect our players, families, coaches and club staff. In that spirit, this week we launch a new “Mask Up!” Campaign to remind everyone-players, families, coaches and club staff- that the proper wearing of face covering is a key defense against the spread of the virus.
Remember: MY FACE COVERING PROTECTS YOU; YOUR FACE COVERING PROTECTS ME.
MASK UP!
1) Stay Home! If you, or your child, have any symptoms (CDC List of COVID 19 SYMPTOMS)
2) Mask Up! All persons who attend any games or practices at Bear Creek Park must wear a mask. Including players! Players can remove their masks if they so chose to, ONLY as they enter the field to train/play.
3) 6ft Apart! Spectators must stay away from other families at least 6ft apart.
If we all do our part to protect ourselves, as well as others, we can continue to safely play soccer at Bear Creek Park!
There will be zero-tolerance for any one not following the required county mandates. We will be monitoring this very carefully.
We ask that you help us keep everyone at our fields safe by doing your part and Mask Up!
Best Regards,
Enrique Martinez
Club President
Please read all the information below:
US Youth Soccer Return to Activity Notice
Version 1.0, 5/13/20
A Phased Approach based on Federal, State and Local Guidelines
Phase 1: State health authorities require shelter in place, stay at home order.
Phase 2: Public health authorities lift shelter in place requirements but continue to prohibit group activities.
Phase 3: Public health authorities allow small group activities.
Below are suggested criteria for participation in permitted small group training sessions (includes athletes, coaches, and staff).
· No signs or symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and have no known exposure to someone that has been ill in 14 days.
· Live in training location/community and have not travelled for 14 days prior to beginning training.
· Have no above normal temperature readings; temperature checks should not be conducted by staff but by players and their families prior to attending training.
· Upon arrival to training, coaches or staff should ask each athlete if they are experiencing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. If the athlete has any signs or symptoms of COVID- 19, they should be sent home and instructed to contact their healthcare provider as soon as possible.
· Participants should use their own equipment and properly sanitize the equipment after every training session.
· Participants should use their own water bottle, towel and any other personal hygiene products.
· Avoid any activities that may require direct or indirect contact (e.g. bumping) between athletes.
· Establish a cleaning schedule/protocol for equipment with the proper use of disinfectant before, during, and after training.
· Ensure participants are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, (gloves, face mask, etc – supplied by each player/coach)
· While coaching can occur onsite, coaches must maintain social distancing from all participants.
Coach Responsibilities:
· Ensure the health and safety of the participants.
· Inquire how the athletes are feeling. Send home anyone you believe acts or looks ill.
· Follow all state and local health protocols and guidelines.
· Ensure all athletes have their own individual equipment (ball, water, bag etc.)
· Ensure coach is the only person to handle equipment (e.g. cones, disk etc.); do not enlist
parental or attendee assistance.
· All training should be conducted outdoors and compliant with social distancing per state
or local health guidelines.
· Always wear a face mask, even when not actively coaching.
· Coaches should maintain social distance requirements from players based on state and
local health requirements.
· Have fun, stay positive – players and parents are looking to you for leadership.
· The use of scrimmage vest, or pinnies, is not recommended at this time.
Parent Responsibilities:
· Ensure your child is healthy, and check your child’s temperature before activities with others.
· Consider not carpooling or very limited carpooling.
· Stay in car or adhere to social distance requirements, based on state and local health
requirements
· When at training, wear a mask if outside your car.
· Ensure child’s clothing is washed after every training.
· Ensure all equipment (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.
Players Responsibilities:
· Take your temperature daily and especially before activities with others.
· Wash hands thoroughly before and after training.
· Bring, and use, hand sanitizer with you at every training.
· Wear mask before and immediately after all training.
· 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.
Training Session Breakdown:
Prior to each session:
· All equipment that is touched during play should be disinfected with spray/wipes.
· Only staff should touch equipment, if possible.
Start of each session:
- Coaches greet players/parents at the beginning and administer Screening Questions about player illnesses and those within their household members. As well as make sure all players wear masks and parents stay in vehicles.
Screening Questions:
Provide notice to all parents and guardians of the enhanced risks of participants being in direct contact with anyone age 65 or older for 14 days after participating in a sport event or practice.
Screening COVID-19 Questionnaire:
Have you experienced any of the following within the last 14 days:
__Cough
__ Shortness of breath or difficulty
breathing
__Chills
__ Repeated shaking with chills
__Muscle pain
__Headache
__ Sore throat
__Loss of taste or smell
__ Diarrhea
__ Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
__ Known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19
Session Exercises:
· Emphasis should be placed on exercises that allow players to practice skills with 6 feet of distance from each other.
· Exercises should avoid transitions that involve "physically tagging a teammate" such as relay races or tag. No scrimmages or games.
· No vests to be used.
· Reduce the amount of time of practice
· Total number of players per group is limited to 10 (6ft apart).
Closing rituals:
· No handshakes, high-5s or group celebrations; consider alternatives that avoid contact like New Zealand Haka-style dance, hand waves, gestures, etc.
After the session:
· No masks or gloves may be disposed of on the fields.
· Require everyone to use hand sanitizer after leaving sessions.
· Use disinfectant spray/wipes on any equipment used.
Resources
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Move United: https://www.moveunitedsport.org/
Special Olympics: https://resources.specialolympics.org/resources-to-help-during-the-crisis Special Olympics Infographic: https://media.specialolympics.org/resources/covid- 19/SO_CoVid19-Infographic-English.jpg?_ga=2.93243544.460203483.1588346705- 2032247575.1588346705
Federation for Children with Special Needs: https://fcsn.org/
Autism; Wearing a Mask Social Story: https://paautism.org/resource/wearing-mask-social-story/