Scott Applebaum
      Safety Director
[email protected]
   Wethersfield Soccer Club

Wethersfield George D. Richie Soccer Club COVID-19 Guidelines  

Town 
● Guidelines laid out by Town of Wethersfield by Park and Recreation Director Rachael Mattioli (Key Sector Rules from Reopen CT dated 6/20/2020) 
○ Screening - coaches, players, officials must conduct daily symptom assessments 
○ Travel - players are strongly recommended to travel to the venue alone or only with members of their immediate household, if possible.
○ Shared equipment - ensure athletes do not share equipment to the most extent possible.  
○ Practice - coaches should keep players in small groups at practice to allow for social distancing. Practices will be scheduled with at least a 15 minute buffer to prevent overlap of participants and allow for time to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces. 
○ Games - Parents/Spectators must comply with 6ft social distancing guidelines while attending a game. Players will not be required (optional) to wear a mask while participating on the field  
○ Game Ball - will be disinfected before and after every clinic, practice and game 
○ Benches - Players will be required to wear a mask while, and maintaining 6ft social distancing while sitting on a bench.  Players will be required to administer hand sanitizer each time they return to the bench from the field. 
○ Personal Protection for coaches/athletes - Coaches are required to wear mask or cloth face covering when unable to easily, continuously, and measurably keep 6 feet of physical distance from others, unless doing so would be contrary to his/her health or safety due to medical conditions. Athletes are encouraged to wear a face mask when not engaged in active play. While engaged in the active play of sports or strenuous activities, athletes do not need to wear a face covering. However, athletes shall wear their face masks at all other times. 
○ Personal Protection for Spectators - All spectators who plan to watch the games from the sidelines are required to wear a mask.  Spectators who do not intend to comply with this guideline will be expected to watch the game from inside their vehicle only.  Spectators that do not adhere to this guideline will be asked to leave and/or player will not be allowed to participate in the game. 
● Signage to be placed at each field 
○ Sitting at least 6 feet apart 
        ○ Wear PPE
○ Discourage congregating in groups 
 
 Club 
● Phase for return to play
● No participation if one experiences COVID-19 symptoms 
○ Any coach, player, parent, referee or spectator who is sick, has a persistent cough, fever, or displays any symptoms suggesting that the individual is ill will be prohibited from attending training and/or games. 
○ Coaches and players (assisted by parent/guardian) must self-assess their condition and attest when arriving at the location that they are not experiencing these symptoms. 
○ If any adult attendee experiences any of these symptoms they will be required to leave.  
○ If a player/coach on the team tests positive for COVID-19, the entire team will not be allowed to practice/play games for 14 days.  The individual(s) who tested positive will not be able to return to play until they have received 2 negative test results within 24 hours AFTER the 14 day period. 
● Minimize physical touching between players and coaches ○ Congratulatory “high fives”, hand shakes, fist bumps, etc. will be prohibited. 
○ Players will not huddle at any point during game/practice 
○ Sportsmanship will continue in a touchless manner. 
○ Benches will not be allowed as to promote social distancing (6 feet apart) for the players not involved in game action. 
● Personal Protective Equipment 
○ Coaches are required to wear appropriate face coverings during training sessions.  
○ Players must wear masks when in the play environment and not playing. Players will be allowed to wear masks while training but this will be a personal choice of the player’s parent/guardian. 
● Hand Sanitizing
○ Players will be required to carry their own PPE in their equipment bags at all times.  Hand Sanitizer and Masks are, until further notice, part of a Wethersfield Soccer players equipment attire.  Players who attend practice/games without either, will be given a warning for the season.  If they attend without the required PPE a second time, the player will not be allowed to participate in practices/games.  
○ Coaches will have hand sanitizer available during games for their use and players to use at the beginning and end of each game. 
○ Players should not share hand sanitizer at any time while participating in games/practices. 
● Equipment
○ Sharing of equipment will not be allowed. Players should have their own alternate color training top or pinnie. Each player should also have their own ball, water bottle, shin guards and hand sanitizer. 
○ The handling of all practice equipment, training items, such as cones, flags, goals, etc. should be limited to coaches. 
○ All equipment will be sanitized after each session. 
 
Coaches 
● Ensure athletes arrive dressed for practice and leave immediately after the session has concluded. No recreational play or loitering is allowed. 
● Upon arrival, inquire how each player is feeling, send them home if Coach believes they are acting or looking ill. 
● No handshakes, fist bumps or “high fives” are allowed. 
● Practice and encourage proper hygiene, washing hands with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds at a time. Use alcohol based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol). Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeves, do not use hands. Do not touch your face (eyes, nose, mouth) with unwashed hands. Launder clothing after training session. 
● Coach is to be the only one to handle cones, discs, goals, etc. 
● Ensure all athletes have their own equipment (ball, water bottle, GK gloves, etc.) 
● Ensure player’s personal belongings (bags, coats, sweatshirts) remain in their personal space and are kept physically distanced from the belongings of others. Do not allow sharing of personal items.  
● Ask players to bring a dark and light colored shirt to eliminate the need for scrimmage vests. 
 
Players 
● Practice and encourage proper hand hygiene, washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at a time. Use alcohol based (at least 60% alcohol). Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or sleeves, do not use hands. Do not touch your face with unwashed hands. 
● Have your own hand sanitizer with you. 
● Wear a face covering before and immediately after each training session. They may be removed while participating in practice and drills. 
● Practice physical distancing on the sidelines. When sitting on the sidelines you should be 6 feet from the next player. Your belongings should remain in your space when not in use. 
● Bring your own equipment (ball, GK gloves if required, shin guards, jacket, etc.). Do not touch anyone else’s equipment. 
● Bring your own water bottle and snack. Water bottles and snacks will not be shared. 
● Wash and sanitize your equipment before and after each training session. 
● No group celebrations, hugs, handshakes, fist bumps, etc. 
 
Parents 
● Ensure your child’s health. Take your child’s temperature daily. A temperature over 100.4 most often means you have a fever caused by an infection or illness. 
● If your child has any symptoms, even mild ones, public health urges you to stay home a isolate until:
○ You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (without the use of medication) AND
○ Other symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) have improved AND
○ At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared. 
● Notify the Club if your child has become sick. 
● Adhere to physical/social distance requirements posted by the organization. These are based on state and local requirements. When at training, wear a face covering if you are outside your car. 
● Ensure that your child has a water bottle, equipment (ball, GK gloves if necessary), light and dark shirt (no shared scrimmage vests will be provided). 
● Ensure your child’s personal equipment, cleats, balls, shin guards, etc. are cleaned and sanitized before and after each training. 
● Ensure your child’s clothing is washed after every session. 
● Do not assist the coach with equipment before or after a training session. 
● Carpooling with other members of the team is highly discouraged 
● Be sure your child has necessary sanitizer with them at every session.