The following guidelines were recently issued by the Mass Youth Soccer Association based on the Massachusetts Phase 2 guidelines for youth sports participation.
MASSACHUSETTS YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION Member Checklist For Organization Leadership June 6, 2020 Reopening Massachusetts Return to Soccer Activities mayouthsoccer.org/return-to-soccer-activities/ June 6, 2020
The following document is a simple checklist to use as you prepare to return to soccer activities in Phase 2 of Reopening Massachusetts. All Mass Youth Soccer member organizations must follow the association’s guidelines. In addition, each organization may adopt additional protocols consistent with their specific needs and circumstances to help protect the health and safety of all members, employees, volunteers, and participants. Plus, it is very important that local city, town or municipality policies be understood and followed. A similar checklist for coaches is included in the Return to Soccer Activities section of our website. This checklist should be used by all coaches as they prepare to return and while they conduct soccer activities.
Contents
Page 2: Requirements Prior to Commencing Soccer Activities
Page 3: Requirements While Conducting Soccer Activities
Page 4: Requirements After Conducting Soccer Activities
MASSACHUSETTS YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION mayouthsoccer.org/return-to-soccer-activities/ June 6, 2020
Requirements Prior to Commencing Soccer Activities
□ Make the Mass Youth Soccer Return to Soccer Activities COVID-19 Guidelines available to all members. This can be accomplished by: □ Emailing □ Prominently posting on Website □ Pointing to the most recent version on the Mass Youth Soccer Website / MA Safe Soccer section.
□ Appoint your organization’s official COVID-19 Safety Officer who will communicate policies organization wide, to coaching staff, administrators, parents, and players. This should be one individual who may assign certain duties to others.
□ Assign duties to Risk Manager or other specifically designated person.
□ Each team should be assigned a COVID-19 manager who should be on hand at each practice.
□ Communicate policies and guidelines to coaching staff, administrators, parents, and players.
□ Confirm all registered adults have read and understand the guidelines as it pertains to their role in the organization.
□ Make sure all coaches who will be conducting practices and training sessions are fully registered, affiliated, and compliance approved. Your organization’s Risk Manager or Registrar should have this information.
□ Confirm your organization has permission to use the fields (facility, complex, park, school, etc.) prior to scheduling any practices
□ Work with all coaches to identify their team’s COVID-19 Coordinator to oversee compliance at the team level (can be a team parent who must register as an Adult with Mass Youth Soccer). • For those organizations that use public fields:
□ Confirm your coaches and other active adults are properly trained and equipped on the use of sanitization products and techniques. • For those organizations who use private fields/facilities
□ Confirm facility owner has developed, trained, and implemented increased daily sanitization protocols for common surfaces, restrooms, and equipment.
□ Make hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, soap and water, or similar disinfectant readily available throughout the facility. MASSACHUSETTS YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION mayouthsoccer.org/return-to-soccer-activities/ June 6, 2020
Requirements While Conducting Soccer Activities
□ Team COVID-19 Coordinator will communicate with the coach to ensure all required policies and procedures are in place during the training session.
□ Designated player equipment area is set up next to the playing area you are assigned to. The area should be away from the sideline and the spectator area.
□ Adhere to guidelines regarding proper use of face coverings and masks.
□ Sessions should be planned using physical distancing session plans. No contact is allowed. No scrimmages to be allowed during practice sessions.
□ The Coach is the only person who can touch any cones or equipment. Coaches should not handle a player’s soccer ball with their hands at any time.
□ Throughout practice, during breaks for water, encourage proper hygiene as provided in the guidelines.
□ The Coach shall take proper attendance for each session, recording on paper, or electronically.
□ Do not allow players to share team snacks, water, equipment, or clothing.
