Glen-Ed Sports Association Restore Illinois – Return to Play Protocol – Updated 1-22-21

Glen-Ed Sports Association and Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA) is dedicated to protecting the health and safety of our soccer community. We understand that our players want to get back on the field, but this must be done with strict focus on the safety of the players, coaches, referees and families and follow state and local guidelines for resumption of activities. The purpose of this document is to provide our athletes, parents, and coaches with information that they can use to assist them with developing their return-to-activity programming specific to their situation in context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On July 29, Governor Pritzker and the Public Health authorities, announced a change to the allowable sports activities. In the July 29 revision, soccer was designated as a “medium risk” sport which allows for trainings and intra-team scrimmages. On July 31^st, the IYSA issued their protocols.

Our Protocol is based on the Illinois Department of Public Health Sports Guidelines (see the after Player responsibilities), Center for Disease Control (CDC), US Soccer, US Youth Soccer and IYSA guidelines for soccer organizations, clubs and teams that have reached the Restore Illinois Phase 4 , the Public Health Approach to Safely Reopen the State.

The information in this document is NOT intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The knowledge and circumstances around COVID-19 are changing constantly and, as such, Glen-Ed Sports Association and Illinois Youth Soccer Association makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the completeness of this information.

Although the young and healthy may be subject to less severe cases of COVID-19, every case of this disease is potentially life-altering or deadly, particularly in those with risk factors that may occur within our communities. Health consequences may be long-standing and only apparent weeks after initial infection and recovery. Until COVID-19 is either eradicated, a vaccine is developed, or a cure is found, there is no way of eliminating the risk of infection. This will always be at the forefront when designing and considering return-to-activity for the Glen-Ed Sports Association.

Based upon soccer being a medium risk sport which allows for the following activities based on which Phase/Tier in our region is currently designated.

Allowable Activities

Training with up to 25 players. Spectators/parents are not allowed on field.
Indoor Games: Intra-EMS-region or league play only.
Outdoor Games: No restrictions other than those imposed by other regions where game is played if outside our region,

Activities Not Allowed

None – must abide by IDPH Youth Sports Safety Guidelines regarding wearing masks, social distancing and other safe health practices such as not sharing water bottles, pinnies and other personal equipment.

Criteria for participation for athletes, coaches and staff:

Training sessions will take place outside through the Fall
Because of increased activities and exposure risks, any individual with a pre-existing medical condition(s) is advised to check with their physician to ensure they should participate. If approved, the individual or guardian is required to provide written clearance from a physician to return to full
All participants are abiding by the State of Illinois’ ordinance regarding appropriate personal protective equipment, (gloves, face mask, etc.)
Gatherings of multiple groups of 50 should have 30 feet between groups.
All spectators must be at least 6-ft. between seats occupied by spectators that are not members of the same household or party. All spectators must always wear face coverings.

Introduction of Principles and Responsibilities

Club Responsibilities:

Each participant, PRIOR to participation, is required to register through TeamSnap and sign the “IYSA Communicable Disease Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement”. As part of our registration, all players have completed this requirement.
The Club is sensitive to players/parents who may be uncomfortable about returning to activity at this Participation is not mandated.
Distribute updated/current “Restore Illinois Phase 4” to members. See below.
Glen-Ed Soccer and the IYSA does not provide any insurance coverage for Covid-19 related claims.
Identify strategies for working with public health officials to notify adult leaders, youth and their families if the organization becomes aware of a participant or adult leader has developed COVID-19 and may have been infectious to others while at a youth sporting event.
Have an action plan in place, in case of notification of a positive test.
Maintain participant confidentiality regarding health status.
Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 must quarantine for at least 14 days and not show any signs or symptoms of Covid-19, have no fever for at least 72 hours without fever- reducing medication or have 2 negative COVID-19 tests in a row with testing being done at least 24 hours apart and submit to the Mark Rimkus, President of Glen-Ed Soccer prior to returning to activity, a signed written clearance from a medical doctor showing that the person has been cleared to participate.
Train and educate all staff on protocols and requirements, including state and local regulations, CDC recommendations and other necessary safety measures.
Establish a cleaning schedule/protocol for club equipment with the proper use of disinfectant before, during, and after training.
Be prepared to shut down and stop training.
Provide adequate field space for social distancing.
Hand sanitizer should be used and facial coverings worn at all times by coaches/staff on the field.
An attendance log for every session will be kept in the TeamSnap through the tracking tab tracing.
No benches should be used. (No longer prohibited. 1/22/21)
Minimum 30 feet of distancing space must be maintained between groups. Area for each group must be clearly marked.
Follow all CDC and IDPH guidelines as well those of local health department.

Coach Responsibilities:

Ensure the health and safety of the players.
Upon arrival to training, coaches will ask each athlete if they are experiencing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. If an athlete has any signs or symptoms of COVID19, the athlete should be sent home and instructed to contact his/her healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Masks are to be worn by coaches/players/managers during training and/or games.
Ensure all athletes have their own individual equipment (ball, water, bag ).
Ensure you are the only person handling equipment (e.g. cones, disk, etc.); do not enlist anyone’s assistance.
Training will be conducted outdoors.
Coaches should maintain at least 6 feet social distance requirements from players.
Do not share scrimmage vest or pinnies during training. Plan ahead for players to wear specific colors.
Do not use any benches. (Restriction lifted. 1/22/21)
Have fun, stay positive – players and parents are looking to you for guidance.
If you or you know of a player that has tested positive for COVID you are required to notify Mark Rimkus via email immediately at president@glenedsoccer.com. Please read all of this document and be prepared to discuss how you believe this should be communicated to your team. As this is health-related, personal information, please do not share the infected player’s name with others on the team without written permission (email is acceptable) from one of their parents or guardian.
If you are exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID, you must follow the Illinois Department of Health https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19
Please familiarize yourself with the definitions of exposure — IDPH Definition of Exposure to COVID and Required Quarantine Period
Follow all CDC and IDPH guidelines as well those of your local health department.

Parent Responsibilities:

Ensure players have their own equipment (clothing, cleats, ball, shin guards etc.) and it is sanitized before and after every training.
Ensure players are wearing their training jersey and bring their white jersey/shirt.
Ensure your child knows they must use their water bottle, towel and any other personal hygiene items.
Parents will maintain TeamSnap availability as confirmation of player attendance for each training session or game to allow for contact tracing.
Ensure your child is healthy and check your child’s temperature before activities. Parents must take their child’s temperature prior to arrival and anyone with a temperature of 100.4°F is not allowed to participate in activities until temperature returns to normal.
If someone in your household is not feeling well, showing COVID symptoms, and/or scheduled for a COVID test, please do not send your child to a training session or game. Please send an email to notify our club president (Mark Rimkus – president@glenedsoccer.com).
If your child has been placed in quarantine by your school district, please do not send your child to a training session or game. Please send an email to notify our club president (Mark Rimkus – president@glenedsoccer.com).
Parents will not be allowed on the training/game fields.
We advise remaining in your car during training.
If you choose not to remain in your car, please adhere to minimum 6 feet social distance requirement, outside the fencing and follow the state orders for wearing a mask.
Consider not carpooling or very limited ride-sharing.
If your child tests positive for COVID your required to notify Mark Rimkus via email immediately at president@glenedsoccer.com.
Do not assist your coach with equipment before or after training.
Be sure your child has necessary sanitizing products with them at every training session.
If a player/parent is uncomfortable returning to participation, please contact your coach or club official.
If you are exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID, you must follow the Illinois Department of Health https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19
Follow all CDC and IDPH guidelines as well those of your local health department.

Players Responsibilities:

- Players will maintain TeamSnap availability as confirmation of player attendance for each training session or game to allow for contact tracing.
- Ensure players are wearing their training jersey and bring their white jersey/shirt.
- Participants must not exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and have no known exposure to someone that has been infected with COVID 19 within the prior 14
- Players must take their temperature prior to arrival and anyone with a temperature of 100.4°F is not allowed to participate in activities until temperature returns to normal.
- Wash hands thoroughly before and after every training session.
- Bring and use hand sanitizer with you at every training.
- You must wear a mask during Glen-Ed Sports activities.
- Participants must use their own water bottle, towel and any other personal hygiene products.
- Do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment, water, food or clothing.
- Practice social distancing, place bags and equipment at least 6 feet apart.
- Wash and sanitize all equipment before and after every training session.
- No group celebrations, high-5s, hugs, handshakes, fist-bumps.
- If a player/parent is uncomfortable returning to participation, please contact your coach or club official.
- Anyone who has come in contact with (“exposed”… see link at bottom of page for definition) someone who tests positive for COVID-19 must quarantine for fourteen (14) days and notify their team/club. (email Mark Rimkus, Club President at president@glenedsoccer.com) and also follow all directives of the Illinois Department of Health https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19. If an exposed person shows any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, he/she must immediately contact their healthcare provider and update the club with this additional information.
- Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must quarantine for at least fourteen (14) days and not show any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, have no fever for at least 72 hours without fever-reducing medication or have 2 negative COVID-19 tests in a row with testing being done at least 24 hours apart and submit to their Club/League prior to returning to activity a signed written clearance from a medical doctor showing that the person has been cleared to participate.
- Follow all CDC and IDPH guidelines as well those of your local health department.