Duanesburg AYSO is committed to the safety and health of its athletes.   The Duanesburg AYSO Leadership has developed the below guidelines for returning to play.   We continue to stay abreast of the changes in the State and Federal guidance and regulations to ensure the program is consistent with the most current information available.    Updates can and will happen when guidance and facts change.

Overall Guidelines

• Any players, coaches, or spectators who are sick should not attend any practices or games.
• Spectators are limited to 2 per athlete and must keep physical distancing of 6 feet from all non-household members at all times.
• In accordance with NYS and District policy, Masks are not required to be worn during outside activities.   However we encourage and support the wearing of masks by any person who decides to wear a mask.   
• Coaches may be leveraging different drills in isolation, grid work and spatial awareness drills to promote social distancing.   
• Coaches will be provided training on “Coaching in a COVID19 world” to provide all necessary guidance needed to keep your athletes safe. 
  
• There will be defined drop off and pickup protocols established (depending on location) to prevent congregating, maintain appropriate social distancing, allow for appropriate health screening and provide documentation for contact tracing.   

Coach Guidelines

• Coaches should maintain physical distancing requirements from players and family members whenever possible.
• Remind all players to have and handle their own labeled equipment (ball, water bottle, training disks, etc.).
• Coaches will limit the number of people who handle coaching equipment (e.g.: cones, disks, etc.).   Parents and spectators should NOT assist.
• Coach will limit shared equipment use between players.   Players can be “loaned” a pinnie that they will be asked to bring to each practice. 
• No physical greeting of players (verbal acknowledgement is expected).
• Keep open lines of communication with all parents with regards to any concerns about the athlete’s safety and health.  
• Recruit Team Parent

Team Parent

• Assist Coach, as requested, with communications to families (including safeguard reminders, i.e., only healthy participants attend activities).
• Assist Coach with maintain physical distancing requirements from coach, players and family members.
  
• Support the coach and the Region in the implementation of its Safety protocols.  

Parents

• Ensure your child is healthy. Test child’s temperature before departing for soccer  practice (if above 100.4, do not attend).
• If your child exhibits these symptoms, please keep them home and notify your coach.
• Please adhere to social distance requirements as requested by your coach or AYSO officials.  
• We recommend you sanitize all equipment (cleats, shin guards, etc.) before and after every practice.
• Clearly label your child’s water bottle and personal items.
• We recommend your child has hand sanitizing products with them at every session.
• Notify the Regional Commissioner, Heather Geidel at (518) 339-6451 or [email protected] if your child or family member becomes ill for any reason.
•  Do not assist coach with equipment before or after training.
• Check Region and Coach communication regularly.

Players

• Inform parent if feeling unwell.
• Wash hands before and after training.
• Responsible for cleaning all required equipment after each training sessions (cleats, shin guards, etc.).
• Do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment.
  
• No sharing drinks (players should mark their own water bottles).
• No physical greetings with their teammates (verbal acknowledgement is expected and encouraged).

Reporting and Tracing Protocols

Duanesburg AYSO is committed to the safety and health of your young athletes.   However, if the situation arises that the Region is made aware of a participant developing COVID-19 or coming in contact with someone who has COVID-19, our protocols are:

• If a parent is notified by a medical official of the situation where their child (or household member) may be positive for COVID19 or was exposed to someone who is positive with COVID19, they must immediately notify the Regional Commissioner, Heather Geidel at (518) 339-6451 or [email protected]
•  The Regional Commissioner will notify local health officials for guidance on next steps and provide all necessary information for contact tracing. 
• The Regional Commissioner will work with local health officials to properly notify families and athletes in region of any required next steps.    Duanesburg AYSO is committed to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of all involved and will ensure that all HIPPA protocols are adhered to in communications. 
• The Regional Commissioner will fill out the AYSO Incident Report and submit it to the AYSO National Office.