To: All Members, Affiliates
From: Chris Branscome, Chief Executive Officer
CC: Board of Directors
Date: 25 June 2020
RE: Restart 2020: Tournaments & Out of State Play
Tomorrow, June 26, all but one county in Eastern Pennsylvania will be Green. Nearly two thirds of our entire membership will be finally in Green. As we’ve learned over the last month, green does not mean a full and complete opening. It is certainly not a return to normal. However, it does mean returning to many things we’ve not been able to do, including the gradual return to playing soccer.
By now, you should be familiar with the Restart 2020 program and our guidance on a safe return to play. We have provided the best practices and guidance compiled from US Soccer, US Youth Soccer, the CDC and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We have allowed for each organization to determine its transition through the first three stages. Our mission is to provide you with the best information and recommendations so you can make informed decisions.
That being said, be advised that there are still risks and possible exposure to COVID-19 when travelling or being in public. We must do our best as individuals and communities to continue practicing the proposed mitigation strategies from the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. We remind each individual and organization that they must assess the risk and make certain determinations for themselves.
Within the Governor’s Green Phase of reopening Pennsylvania all travel restrictions are lifted, along with the allowances for returning to play. Similar progressions are taking place in our neighboring states. These decisions have opened up the ability for sanctioned tournaments and other events to return. Although we strongly recommend that your organization follow the stages of gradually returning to competitive levels (see the attached chart). The decision to participate in these newly opened tournaments out of state, or any event in the next six weeks, is ultimately yours. If you choose to participate, our insurance will cover you. Please be sure to learn all protocols and procedures provided by the event and share with your families. Parents may have additional questions or concerns.
Furthermore, we have decided that our competitive year for 20-21 will open as of August 1. That means that sanctioned tournaments in August will be open. Please see our website for a list of approved tournaments. This also means that 20-21 approved rosters will be valid for those events. There will be one sanctioned tournament that will be played in late July. We are working with the organizers as a test case for safety and manageability. All tournaments will be subject to additional standards as well as compliance with local authorities. This is directed, to the best of everyone’s abilities, to provide a safe and healthy environment for all participants.
Ultimately, no one should sacrifice health and safety for the sake of a speedier restart. Our collective goal is to avoid any setback and revert back to a Yellow or Red Phase. We trust you will move forward over the summer with the best interest of the children in mind.
