Return to Play Recommendations for Newtown Soccer Club
Per the State of Connecticut, soccer is considered a Moderate Risk Sport and may resume activities June 17th, including group training, practices, scrimmages, and matches. In order to reduce risk of transmission of Covid-19, the following guidelines have been established for parents, players, and coaches. Please note that even if all recommendations are met, risk of transmission still exists with any public interaction, sport or otherwise. Participation in play is optional and parents should decide if they feel comfortable allowing their child to return to play at this time. If for any reason you cannot follow the recommendations, we ask that your child do not participate in the Summer sessions for the health and safety of all our members.
Parent Responsibilities:
Ensure your child is healthy, and check your child’s temperature before activities with others. Conduct a daily health self-assessment before every session. Monitor symptoms, including cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste of smell.
Consider not carpooling or very limited carpooling.
Stay in car or adhere to social distance requirements.
Limit spectators at all events and be prepared to go to your car if limits are reached (One parent per child if over 50 people total).
Bring your own seating. Bleachers will be closed.
When at training, wear a mask if outside your car.
Limit drinks and snacks to just your child - no sharing of food, halftime snack, etc...
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.
Player 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. (Also provided by the club.)
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.
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.
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.
Coaches should maintain social distance requirements from players based on state and
local health requirements. Wearing a mask is recommended.
The use of scrimmage vest, or pinnies, is not recommended at this time.
Club Responsibilities:
Create and distribute protocols to members.
Contact insurers to ensure all coverages and communicate that information to
participants prior to commencement of initial training.
Have an effective communication plan in place.
Identify strategies for working with public health officials 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 youth activity.
Maintain participant confidentiality regarding health status.
Be sensitive and accommodating to parents who may be uncomfortable with returning
to play at this time.
Have an action plan in place, in case of notification of a positive test result.
Train and educate all staff on protocols and requirements, including state and local
regulations, CDC recommendations and other necessary safety information.
