September 18, 2020
Dear East Islip Soccer Club players, coaches, parents, team administrators and trainers,
We hope everyone continues to be safe and healthy, and are all continuing to be vigilant in following all Covid-19 prevention guidelines. With that in mind, and with the fall season rapidly approaching, the EISC board of directors would like to review and reinforce MANDATORY guidelines/rules with regard to return to play protocols.
All parents, coaches, team administrators and trainers will be responsible for adhering to return to play protocols, and are responsible for ensuring that all EISC rules are followed.
Please be aware that these rules are not suggestions, they are MANDATORY requirements for EVERYONE.
- Masks MUST be worn by ALL. When you arrive at our fields for training sessions or games, players must wear masks from the time they exit the vehicle until they reach the field space they will be playing on. Spectators must also wear a mask AT ALL TIMES when on the sidelines observing, especially when social distancing guidelines of 6 feet cannot be maintained.
- Spectators for training/practice sessions and games are limited as follows:
- The EISC is HIGHLY RECOMMENDING 1 spectator per player for all training/practice sessions, as well as all games.
- MAXIMUM allowed are 2 spectators per player, per NYS guidelines. This means that if 2 parents are on the sidelines, no other family members will be allowed ie, siblings.
- All spectators must maintain social distancing guidelines of 6 feet.
- Handshakes, high fives, celebrations, etc. are still NOT allowed.
- No sharing of equipment, food or drinks.
- Please use the hand disinfectant stations that have been made available at both the Westbrook and Country village fields.
- This should be common sense but, if anyone experiences any symptoms of Covid-19 you should not be anywhere near our fields.
- Continue to utilize the Covid screening tool/App. It is extremely important for the EISC to have a record of anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 for tracing purposes, and to be made aware of anyone who has travelled from a state on the NYS restricted list. As has been previously communicated to team administrators, going forward there will be a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for any team admin that does not complete their Teamsnap/Teamapp in a timely fashion. Teams who do not complete this WILL NOT be permitted to practice that week. Please do not make us chase you down for this, it is incredibly time consuming, our volunteers have plenty to do and do not have time to babysit teams. It Is of the utmost importance that this be completed on time.
- If any players have travelled from a state on the NYS restricted list, they must quarantine for 14 days and should not be allowed at any training/practice sessions or games.
The EISC will have field marshals present during all games, and will be checking training/practice sessions at Westbrook and Country Village fields to ensure these rules are being followed.
Please be courteous and respectful to not only those around you, but also to our volunteers. If you are asked to put a mask on, or to spread out to maintain social distancing requirements, please just do as you are asked.
It gives us no pleasure to have to ask anyone to leave the fields, but be assured, that is exactly what we will do if necessary to ensure we as a club are following all CDC, NYS, County and town guidelines, as well as those guidelines established by our soccer governing bodies. I do not want to have to discuss any punitive measures at this time for not following our rules, because I am hopeful we will not have to go down that road.
Observations from the past few weeks training sessions at Westbrook and Country Village show that the sidelines are much too crowded, many are not following social distancing guidelines, and many are not wearing masks.
THIS CANNOT CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.
If we all continue to act as if this is “business as usual”, we run the risk of having our field permits revoked.
THIS CANNOT HAPPEN.
The East Islip Soccer Club is extremely fortunate to have 2 great soccer complexes to play on. Most clubs on Long Island do not have what we have. Many Long Island soccer clubs are struggling to find field space as school districts deny use of their fields. A few of those clubs have told us how lucky we are to have these great fields.
How ridiculous would it be to lose access to these fields because a few people choose not to follow some simple rules.
If we work together, we can ensure continued use of our beautiful soccer fields for this season and for years to come.
Please utilize the links below for additional detailed information regarding return to play.
We strongly encourage each and every one of you to visit each of these links and be familiar with the guidelines contained therein.
https://lijsoccer.com/return-to-play-responsibilities/
US Soccer Play On - Phase III Grassroots Recommendations
ENYYSA Game Day Protocols
NYS Sports Summary Guidance
NYS Sports Master Guidance
Also, please visit the East Islip Soccer Club website for up to date information, as well as links to informative videos.
https://www.eastislipsoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2699874
In closing, please do not hesitate to reach out to any board member for clarification on any of the rules/guidelines contained in this email, or posted on our website.
With your cooperation, I am sure we will be able to enjoy our kids playing the game they love for this season and beyond without any issues.
BUT IT IS ALL UP TO YOU.
You can choose to be a team player and do what the club, NYS, CDC, and our soccer governing bodies are requiring, or you can choose to disregard the rules and make this more difficult than it needs to be.
IT IS UP TO YOU.
Thank you all in advance for your anticipated cooperation in ensuring the health, safety and well-being of our players, coaches, trainers and volunteers.
We look forward to seeing you all on the pitch.
East Islip Soccer Club Board of Directors