COVID-19 Specific Rules

Sportzone Soccer

2020-21 Soccer Requirements and General Rules & Guidelines

On Wednesday, August 19 at 9pm the governor gave us the go ahead for soccer this season! I know that we are all very excited. The purpose of this document is to inform you of the policies and procedures that the governor, Sportzone Soccer, and Ohio North have set forth for our fall athletic seasons. We will work through all of this with the utmost diligence to provide a season for our kids. Ohio North and the Ohio Department of Health have hired compliance officers for each area and anyone who does not follow the guidelines set forth are at risk of having their season shut down.

The considerations outlined in this document are meant to decrease potential exposure to respiratory droplets by encouraging social distancing, limiting participation in administrative tasks to essential personnel and allowing for appropriate protective equipment.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list and there might be additional steps at each venue, city, and state to

help prevent the spread of the virus. Even when taking all precautions, there will still be risk of transmitting illnesses. Everyone should stay vigilant about the health of members of their teams. In addition, these rules/recommendations are in addition to any rules/recommendations outlined in the Governor’s order referenced here: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/Youth-Collegiate-Amateur-Club-Pro-Sports.pdf.

Lastly, the situation with COVID-19 is rapidly changing. These considerations may quickly become outdated. Please keep up with the latest from the CDC and other health officials in your area. Visit the COVID-19 General Guidance Document for further requirements and recommendations that apply to all sports, including soccer. Please know that some of the requirements and recommendations in this sport-specific document duplicate state guidance. A requirement must be adhered to and followed. A recommendation is a consideration to the sport and allows for optional guidelines. Recommendations are not required but are permitted.

REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for Coaches:

· ALL PLAYERS MUST BE REGISTERED VIA THE SPORTZONE WEBSITE AND ELECTRONICLY SIGN ALL WAIVERS. THIS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ON GAMEDAY. ANY PLAYER NOT ROSTERED PRIOR TO THE GAME WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY AND BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE FACILITY. NO EXCEPTIONS!!

· Coaches must wear face masks at all times, including arriving and departing the facility and during active play.

· Each team can only dress 12 players per game. You can roster additional players but only 12 may attend any one game.

· Only players & Coaches that have been rostered and approved are permitted on the bench side of the field. No other persons are allowed on the bench side of the field before, during or after the game.

· Conduct symptom assessments of each player prior to each game and immediately remove any player exhibiting symptoms from the field of play and the facility.

· You are required to leave the bench area immediately after the game. Please escort your team around the field as directed to meet their parent/guardian.

· There will be no handshaking prior to or after the game. From your respective side of the field, each team can take turns clapping for the other team.

Requirements for Players:

· ALL PLAYERS MUST BE REGISTERED VIA THE SPORTZONE WEBSITE AND ELECTRONICLY SIGN ALL WAIVERS. THIS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ON GAMEDAY. ANY PLAYER NOT ROSTERED PRIOR TO THE GAME WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY AND BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE FACILITY. NO EXCEPTIONS!!

· All players must wear a face covering when not actively playing on the field.

· All players will report to the designated staging area prior to the game as directed by a Sportzone employee.

o Once checked in and directed by a Sportzone employee, you may make your way to the player side of the field and warm up for the game.

o Minor players will wait in the staging area with a parent/guardian until directed by a Sportzone Employee

Requirements for Spectators

2020 / 2021 Session II Only: spectators will NOT be permitted during any of these games. Only players and coaches are permitted in the facility.

· All spectators are required to wear a face covering at all times:

o Unless you have medical documentation with you stating that you have health reasons to not wear one.

· There is a strict limit of two spectators per player per game

o No children will be allowed in Sportzone unless they are playing the current game and are on the bench side of the field.

o No children are allowed as spectators.

· Spectators must sit in designated spaces in the bleachers. No spectator will be allowed to stand in any of the common areas.

· All spectators will report to the designated staging area prior to the game as directed by a Sportzone employee.

o Once checked in and directed by a Sportzone employee, you may take a seat in the designated seating area in the bleachers.

· Must perform a symptom check and have no fever prior to coming to the game.

· You will be required to leave immediately after the game and not congregate.

o If waiting on your child, you must not congregate in groups or in your seat. Please vacate your seat immediately after the game and meet your player in the parking lot. Alternate provisions will be made in the event of inclement weather.

General Recommendations

· Participants and coaches and officials should arrive at the facility dressed in full uniforms or coaching/officiating gear and should plan to leave the facility in full uniforms or coaching/officiating gear (e.g. not dress or change in restrooms).

· Coaches should not share clipboards, whiteboards, dry erase boards, or any other equipment used for coaching purposes.

· Contest officials should not share whistles, or any other equipment used for officiating purposes.

Additional Resources

Visit the COVID-19 General Guidance Document for further requirements and recommendations that apply to all sports, including Soccer. Please know that some of the requirements and recommendations in this sport-specific document duplicate state guidance.

· OHSAA Covid-19 Correspondence:

o https://www.ohsaa.org/Home/OHSAA-COVID-19-Correspondence

· Ohio Gov. Sector Specific:

o https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/responsible-restartohio/sector-specific-operating-requirements/sector-specific-operating-requirements

· Ohio Department of Education guidance on reopening schools:

o http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Reset-and-Restart

· Ohio Department of Health:

o https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/home