Phase 2 Reopening

Governor Baker announced on Saturday June 6 that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts would be moving to Phase 2 on Monday June 8.

Based on Covid-19 Order No.35 and additional documentation provided by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care this order provided for day camps including sports and arts camps to resume limited activities at the commencement of Phase 2.

BEST FC will be using the week of June 29 - July 3 to educate and fully prepare our full and part time members of staff on a gradual return to soccer activities, along with new COVID-19 camp policies with camps scheduled to begin on July 6th, 2020.

PLEASE NOTE: PRIOR TO PLAYER PARTICIPATING IN SOCCER ACTIVITIES WITH BEST SOCCER, PARENTS/GUARDIANS MUST SIGN A COVID-19 PARTICIPATION WAIVER AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND BEST SOCCER's RETURN TO SOCCER ACTIVITIES GUIDELINES.

Soccer Camps

Soccer is classified as a contact sport, and as such all BEST SOCCER activities in phase 2 will be limited to no-contact drills and training exercises only. BEST SOCCER will assign players attending camps to cohorts of 10 or less (including staff). These cohorts will remain intact for the duration of camp to ensure that we limit the risk of COVID-19 and simplify contact tracing requirements.

In alignment with Public Health recommendations, and in order to maintain social distancing, all cohorts will be spaced at least 20ft apart for all soccer related activities and players will be assigned an individual player equipment / rest area for the duration of camp.

Please see diagram below for an example of how training areas can be set up.

Covid Safety Officer

BEST FC has assigned Maria Mumby as our COVID-19 Safety Officer who will communicate policies organization-wide, to coaching staff, administrators, parents, and players. Maria can be contacted via email: maria@bestsoccer.org

Arrival/Departure Protocols

1. On the first day of camp players must be signed in by their parents. Players must exit cars no more than 20 minutes prior to their designated camp start time.
2. A BEST SOCCER Staff Member will greet players/parents at facility entrance. Each morning a self screening questionnaire will be sent to parents, via DocuSign, that they must sign in order for their child to participate in camp that day.
3. All Parents and Players must wear masks, adhere to social distancing of 6 feet, and wash hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer upon arrival and departure from the fields.
4. BEST SOCCER staff members will direct players to the appropriate section of the field where they will be training with their allocated cohort. Players must wear their mask until they are on the training field.
5. Parents will not be able to enter the fields, but are welcome to observe sessions so long as they and any children present observe social distancing requirements.
6. On arrival at their training area, players will be assigned an individual rest/equipment area by their coach. Each player will receive their own ball and tee-shirt, which they will find in their individual equipment area on day 1 of camp.
7. Players should set down their equipment and remove their water bottle from their bag. At this point they may remove their mask and store in their bag for the duration of the training session. (Players may wear masks during sessions if they feel more comfortable doing so).
8. Prior to the start of the session players should use hand sanitizer. Players must not touch balls or equipment during the session.
9. At the end of camp, players will collect and pack all their personal equipment and use hand sanitizer prior to putting their mask on.
10. Players will be directed to leave the field by coaches to ensure that no congregation of players can occur.
11. Players will be brought to the parent/guardians car at pick up so that parents do not need to enter the fields. Social Distancing must occur at all times when entering and exiting facilities.
12. Players and families should leave the training facility as soon as possible after the end of their training session.
13. To ensure that there is no contact between Training Groups, BEST SOCCER will ensure a 20 ft buffer zone between cohorts.

Responsibilities of BEST SOCCER

• BEST SOCCER has trained and educated all currently active staff on return to activities protocols.
• BEST SOCCER will have all return to play policies vetted by local health department in addition to being licensed by the local health department to operate a recreational camp for children.
• BEST SOCCER has plans in place to communicate with the local health department in the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 at BEST SOCCER Activities
• If a BEST SOCCER player or coach contracts COVID-19, all training sessions for the cohort that player is a member of and any additional cohort associated with the same coach will be suspended for 14 days.
• BEST SOCCER is providing coaches with PPE (masks) and sanitizing products.
• Players should not arrive at the fields earlier than 20 minutes prior to their scheduled arrival time.
• BEST SOCCCER will not allow Players and Parents to congregate in parking lots, at drop off zones, facility entrances/exits before or after a training session.
• BEST SOCCER will ensure adequate space at the field to allow for proper physical/social distancing (6’).
• BEST SOCCER will not allow parents and siblings to remain on site as spectators.
• BEST SOCCER requires all waste to be placed in trash receptacles by the respective parent, player or coach. Nothing should be picked up by anybody other than the originator of the waste.
• BEST SOCCER require players to have their own water, sanitary products (hand sanitizer, facial tissues, PPE (optional for play), ball, GK Gloves (if necessary).

Responsibilities of BEST SOCCER Coaches

• In Phase 2 BEST SOCCER's Full Time Staff Coaches - Shaun, Steve and Adam, in addition to Director of Coaching - Paul Mumby will lead camp sessions. All part time staff will work under the direction of 1 or more full time members of staff.
• BEST SOCCER's staff understand some parents/guardians may require their child to wear a face covering. If so, it should be a face covering which attaches around the ears so as not to cause any injury if accidentally tugged or pulled on. No around the head or neck face coverings permitted during play.
• The primary focus of BEST SOCCER's staff is to ensure the health and safety of all campers.
• BEST SOCCER's staff will be asked to ensure athletes arrive dressed for practice and leave immediately after practice. No recreational play, or loitering is allowed.
• As BEST SOCCER players arrive to practice, our coaches will inquire how athletes are feeling, and may send them home if you believe they are acting or look ill. Parents should have completed a self screening questionnaire each morning prior to arrival at camp. This will be done via DocuSign.
• Coaches have been instructed to ensure that no handshakes, fist or elbow bumps, or any other physical contact occurs between coach/player or player/player.
• BEST SOCCER will practice and encourage proper hygiene, washing hands frequently with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds at a time. Our coaches use alcohol based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol). Will cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or sleeves, and have been instructed to not touch your face (eyes, nose, mouth with unwashed hands). BEST SOCCER will post visual steps for proper handwashing.
• BEST SOCCER coaches will launder all training attire each day.
• Follow all state and local health protocols.
• BEST Soccer coaches will be the only ones to handle cones, discs, goals etc.
• BEST Soccer coaches will ensure all athletes have their individual equipment. (Ball, water bottle, GK Gloves etc.)
• BEST SOCCER Coaches will 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.
• BEST SOCCER coaches will wear a face covering for the duration of Phase 2 training activities and abide by the physical/social distance requirements from players and parents.
• BEST SOCCER coaches will sanitize all equipment (cones, balls, goals, etc.) as well as possible high touch areas, such as tent legs, at the end of each day.
• BEST SOCCER will have at least 2 members of staff at every location that is trained in First Aid and CPR.

Parent Responsibilities

• Complete Self Screening Questionnaire each morning prior to arrival at camp.
• Ensure your child’s health. Take temperature daily. The average normal body temperature is generally accepted as 98.6°F (37°C). Some studies have shown that the “normal” body temperature can have a wide range, from 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C). A temperature over 100.4°F (38°C) 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 and isolate until:

1. You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (without the use of medicine) AND
2. Other symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) have improved AND
3. At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

• Anyone in your household that you have had close contact with (within six feet for approximately 10 minutes) should self-quarantine for 14 days, even if you haven’t been tested for COVID-19.
• Notify BEST SOCCER immediately 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 camp, wear a face covering if you are outside of your car.
• Ensure that your child has a water bottle, equipment (ball and GK Gloves if necessary).
• Ensure your child’s personal equipment, cleats, balls, shin guards etc. are cleaned and sanitized before and after every training.
• Ensure your child’s clothing is washed after every session.
• Do not assist the coach with equipment before or after camp.
• No carpooling with other members of camp.
• Be sure your child has necessary sanitizer with them at every session.
• Be sure that your child has a sufficient supply of clean masks / face coverings to allow for replacing the covering as needed. Masks/Face coverings must have the child's name on and must distinguish which side of the covering should be worn facing outwards. If using a cloth face covering they must be washed every day. If using a disposable mask, be sure to dispose of safely.
• Complete a written permission form to allow your child to use hand sanitizer to wash their hands at camp.

Player Responsibilities

• Take temperature daily (see information outlining this in the parent’s section).
• Practice proper hygiene, washing hands frequently with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds at a time. Use alcohol based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) if soap and water are not available. Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or sleeves, do not use your hands. Do not touch your face (eyes, nose, mouth 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, provided players are able to maintain at least 6 feet of distance from other persons present.
• Be sure that you have a sufficient supply of clean masks / face coverings to allow for replacing the covering as needed. Masks/Face coverings must have your name on and must distinguish which side of the covering should be worn facing outwards. If using a cloth face covering they must be washed every day. If using a disposable mask, be sure to dispose of safely.
• Practice physical distancing on the sidelines. When sitting on the sidelines you should be 6’ 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. Do not touch anyone else’s belongings as sharing will not be permitted.
• Wash and sanitize your equipment before and after each training.
• No group celebrations, hugs, handshakes, fist bumps, etc.

Disclaimer

Participants, parents, family and spectators taking part in soccer and soccer related activities do so with the knowledge of risk and potential exposure involved. In doing so they agree to accept any and all inherent risks to their personal health.