Covid-19 FALL FAQs

Last updated 9/9/2020

As everyone attempts to navigate all the changes to our fall season that we are undergoing, we at TKO are looking to keep you informed as these changes roll in and impact your child’s soccer.

Our whole focus at TKO is to ensure that the long-term development of your child is at the heart of the decisions we make, while also meeting the short term demands that we are experiencing.

This document will be continuously updated as information keeps coming in from the governing bodies that we work with.

Player Safety

We are following the guidance set forth by the ​CDC​, ​State Government​, as well as ​MSYSA​.

We also understand that each family will take into consideration what they believe is the best option for them. Player safety is our primary concern as we look to transition back to playing soccer.

Effective immediately, this communication serves as notice that all MSYSA affiliated clubs and leagues are now in ​MSYSA Phase 5.0​ as outlined in our updated ​MSYSA’s Return-To-Play (RTP) guidelines​.

The following activities are now permissible: small-sided, intra-team scrimmages and set play activities. All athletes, while on the field of play, are not subject to the prior social distancing requirements, but instead must maintain six feet of social distance from one another, to the extent compatible with our sport, ​and must wear a facial covering.​ This is required per ​Executive Order (EO) 176​. At this point in time, all sports organizers (e.g. clubs/leagues) must ensure compliance with EO 176. MSYSA is aware of EO 153 (2d) which appears to provide an exception on wearing facial coverings when exercising could interfere with the activity. However, EO 176 is specific to organized sports, including soccer. MSYSA recognizes this is a major change. ​If/when a new EO is issued with verbiage changes with respect to facial coverings, MSYSA will promptly notify our affiliated club and league representatives.

(to view the entire update from MSYSA, go to www.michiganyouthsoccer.org)​

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

We can start to train with full contact including small sided play, set pieces and intra-club scrimmage. If all goes well, the state will stay with the plan to allow competitive game play starting Sept. 19. Scrimmages against other clubs are still not allowed at this time.

The main challenge is the requirement for face masks. TKO has contacted MSYSA with concerns about this and you can tell by the MSYSA’s wording they are aware and concerned as well. The face mask decision is dependent on the latest Executive Order from Governor Whitmer. All of our coaches have been told to allow frequent breaks so players can remove the mask (while keeping social distance) and relax their breathing. If a player is having an issue with breathing during play and they are not within 6 feet of other players they can remove the mask. With this said, some of you may choose to withhold your son/daughter from that type of play during training; but they can still do any of the skill work where social distancing is taking place (as we have been training the last month).

NEW GAME DAY REQUIRMENTS

With the assumption that games resume on Sept. 19 everyone needs to be aware of some changes on game day. Below are lists for coaches/managers, players, referees, parents/spectators

Coaches (and Managers)

  • Wear face covering while at game facility. (before, during, and after games while around others)
  • Remind players and the spectators about the face covering requirement.
  • Maintain minimum of 6 feet of physical distance from everyone whenever possible. (exception – see below for attending to an injured player)
  • Monitor/ensure that players on the sidelines maintain 6 feet of physical distance from each other.
  • Do not provide shared food, water, and equipment. (including team benches, shared goalie gloves, shared goalie jersey, etc.)
  • Keep pre-game, halftime, and post-game team meetings brief, and maintain 6 feet of social distance throughout each meeting.
  • Do not allow group huddles, hugs, cheers, high fives, chest bumps, wrestling, etc.

Players

  • Wear face covering while at game facility. (before, during, and after games while around others)
  • Stay home if not feeling well or displaying symptoms of COVID.
  • Arrive at the field fully dressed. (uniforms, shoes, shin guards, etc.)
  • Maintain minimum of 6 feet of physical distance from everyone whenever possible.
  • Bring sufficient hand sanitizer to game for repeated use.
  • No group huddles, cheers, high fives, chest bumps, etc.

Referees

  • Wear face covering at game facilities before and after games.
  • Use only your own equipment – do not share flags, whistles, uniforms, pens, etc. If flags are not owned by all, referees may share flags, but they must be sanitized before and after use. TIP: Bring all equipment and all uniform colors to each game.
  • Note: The role of referee is not to enforce these game day safety protocols. However, referees should note and report instances of non-compliance to the league administrator.

Spectators

  • Wear face coverings while at game facility.
  • Take temperature prior to leaving for the game. Stay home if the temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher. This includes players.
  • Sit only in the area(s) designated for spectators. Do not encroach on space designated for referees or teams.
  • Maintain minimum of 6 feet of physical distance from everyone not residing within same residence.
  • Do not go to the opponent’s side of the field. Spectators will be sitting on the same side as their team, but only on one half of the field (the field where the assistant referee is not running).
  • Some facilities may eliminate restrooms – be prepared for that possibility.
  • F​or State Cup, Michigan State Premier Soccer Program, and Director’s Academy, spectators shall be limited to 2 persons per player.
  • Spectators must wear face coverings while at game facility.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE COVID-19 OR HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19?

The first thing to do is to notify your coach and Rich Labadie (rich.labadie@tkopremier.org​), as he is our club COVID-19 point of contact.

Know what the symptoms of COVID are: fever, cough, chills, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, sore throat, runny nose or vomiting.

If you are experiencing these and have been exposed, stay home and seek medical help.

In the instance of a positive COVID-19 case, the local health department (LHD) should be contacted by the club’s COVID Point of Contact (Rich Labadie) for further direction. The LHD will likely initiate contact tracing for individuals who may have been in close contact with the positive case. Close contacts should be quarantined at home for 14 days after last contact with the positive case. Local health officials may identify other contacts who should quarantine. Coaches, players, parents, officials, or anyone else in attendance should be notified of the presence of a positive COVID-19 case so that they can monitor themselves for any symptoms. However, the individual with COVID-19 will not be identified by name to non-family or non-health department officials. Be prepared to shut down and stop operations. The club’s COVID Point of Contact, parents/guardians, players, and other club members should be prepared to answer questions from their LHD regarding a positive COVID-19 test. A player may return to participation 10 days after onset of symptoms, or >24 hours after symptoms resolved, whichever is longer. TKO may require clearance from local health departments or primary care providers prior to participants returning to practice.

If you think you may have been exposed, participants should self-quarantine for 14 days; follow LHD guidance. If there was no confirmed case of COVID, hence no exposure and the participant is symptom free, they may return to participation.

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