TO: All Clubs DT: August 7, 2020 RE: Re-affirm Fall Playing Session PA West Soccer’s Leadership Team convened a meeting on Friday evening to discuss Governor Wolf’s recommendation on the postponement of youth sports. The adjustment to the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 guidance via the Department of Health and Department of Education indicates the Governor and Department of Health “strongly recommend” and not order or mandate the postponement of youth recreational sports. The directive has left the decision up to local authorities. After thoughtful consideration, the leadership team reaffirmed PA West Soccer’s position allowing youth soccer activities for the Fall Playing Session. The Commonwealth’s current Green Phase permits full activity and the most recent directive provides, “the organizations and teams may only conduct in-person operations if they are able to do so in accordance with all applicable guidance.” PA West Soccer, using the guidance from PA Department of Health, the CDC, US Soccer, USYS, and USOPC, has created a Return To Play document: that allows our soccer community to safely continue playing in compliance with the Commonwealth’s most recent directive. We believe this process has permitted us to meet the requirement to conduct in-person activity per all applicable PA guidance. We continue to advise you that there are still risks and possible exposure to COVID-19. Should the Governor mandate a postponement or suspension we will comply. Until such a time, we must continue practicing the necessary mitigation strategies that include wearing a mask, physical distancing, and minimizing spectators. We also share that participation in sport can be a positive contribution to the well-being, physically, psychologically, and socially, of our members. We encourage each of member club and leagues to revisit their Return To Play plan and redouble efforts to education each of your members on your plans and protocols for a safe return to play. The safety of those players and their coaches always comes first. In addition, we have held the position that anyone uncomfortable with returning to play may sit out and return when they are ready. Each individual and organization must assess the risk and make their own determination. Again, we believe our Return To Play plan is strong allowing us to proceed with play this fall. Should the circumstances change we notify you of the change. We recommend you communicate with your membership regularly as well. Open communication is important to continuing safely through the fall. All important changes will be posted on the Covid-19 Info page of our web site at: Best regards, Tim McCoy Executive Director PAWest Soccer 412-856-8011 www.pawest-soccer.org |
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