With the approval of the Town of Simsbury, Simsbury Soccer Club (“SSC” or the “Club”) issues the following guidelines for Return to Play in the Summer of 2020. SSC’s targeted date for Return to Play under these guidelines is 6/22. The below is consistent with Connecticut’s Phase II Sports Re-opening and is designed to provide a fun, safe environment for Simsbury’s youth soccer players to get back on the fields and back playing soccer.
SSC’s primary location is Curtiss Park Fields (“Curtiss”). Curtiss is a sprawling facility bordered by the Farmington River, woods, grassy areas and bisected by Route 315. Curtiss includes 7 fields, multiple parking areas and is primarily maintained by the Town with assistance from the SSC community. In addition to the fields, Curtiss includes two storage areas and an open air pavilion that includes benches and a concrete floor.
Phase II Rules
Gatherings will be limited to 50 people per Site, including players, parents, coaches, refs, etc…
For games, “Site” will be defined as one field. During practices, “Site” will be defined as one half of the field.
SSC will schedule use of its Sites with at least 30 minutes between uses. All users will be instructed to wait in their vehicles for the prior users to depart before using a Site. Players will be instructed to change into their gear prior to arrival at the fields.
Players will not be required to wear masks or other face coverings while playing. Players on the bench or otherwise not participating will wear appropriate face coverings. Each team will designate one head coach who is not required to wear a mask. All other coaches/adults interacting with players must wear a mask.
Players will be instructed to bring their own pinneys, balls and water to each event and to clean/sanitize those items after each use. Players will be instructed not to share such items.
Coaches will be asked to track attendees for each event and retain that attendance for 30 days.
Huddles/team talks will not be permitted and players will be instructed that sportsmanship (e.g. handshakes/hi-fives) will be modified to avoid direct contact.
The Club will be responsible for sanitizing benches and bleachers in between each use (i.e. before/after each practice or game). Benches will be marked to accommodate distancing guidelines. However, SSC’s plan is to remove the bleachers and benches from Curtiss/lock them up.
SSC proposes using signage to close off the pavilion picnic area at the Curtiss location.
Most of the other locations used by SSC are school facilities. SSC proposes using these facilities in a similar manner as set forth above subject to additional guidance provided by the Town.
Notwithstanding the above 50 person limitation, each player will be permitted to have one parent/guardian at the field during matches. However, all such spectators will be instructed to maintain acceptable social distancing and not congregate before/after events.
The Club will provide a “Field Marshal” at each Site to ensure these regulations are followed.
SSC will attempt to supply hand sanitizer at the fields.
SSC will post and/or e-mail applicable CJSA and Town/State guidelines to its members and request that members acknowledge receipt and review of same. SSC will also advise its members that before each event they should evaluate for known COVID symptoms and not participate and follow appropriate medical advice if they are experiencing known symptoms.
SSC believes the above is a conservative Return to Play approach that is mindful of applicable regulations and public health guidance while providing players the opportunity to take the field in a safe and responsible manner. SSC also hopes that these proposals will be temporary and that regulations will be relaxed as the Summer moves forward.
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