Here are the FAMILY RULES OF PLAY:
1) Only send WELL KIDS to practice and games! Check temperatures and don't assume a cough is unimportant, get it checked out before bringing your child to games or practices. IF THERE ARE FAMILY MEMBERS IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD WHICH ARE SICK, DO NOT SEND YOUR KIDS TO PRACTICE NOR GAMES. If someone in the house is ill, it's likely all are exposed and need to take precautions.
2) Sanitize player's gear before practices and games. This is a suggestion from the Governor's office. The concept of sanitized soccer gear sounds like an oxymoron, but it's sound advice. We will be supplying hand sanitizer when we can buy it, but while we're trying to do that, don't count on it, the stuff is hard to source. Bring your own and let's have everyone wash their hands a lot!
3) Play is entirely voluntary, as always. Just like the signups before any season begins, the only kids that will play are those that signed up for it. Some parents are extra cautious and we applaud that, while still applauding those that wish to have their kids play. In the end, most kids have a small group of friends they've been not-social-distancing with. I believe the Governor, when he approved play, was merely recognizing we might as well get all these low-risk kids outside to play and be healthy, since they are all on the short list of pals to hang with during this weird time. In the end, as it has always been and will always be, all players are the responsibility of their parents, and we won't ever suggest that anything about recreational sports is mandatory.
4) Spectators will distance. We learned a new phrase this year, "social distancing" has become a permanent part of our lexicon. We're asking that only one parent per child attend practice to avoid crowds, and we ask that all parents maintain a 6' distance from others. At games, we are not setting any limit on spectators, but the same distancing needs exist. To make this easier, we're moving teams AND SPECTATORS to BOTH sides of the playing fields to provide twice the area for distancing. We have asked the City to add an extra stripe 6' off the sidelines as a distancing line...spectators please stay behind this line so players and refs are given a bit of added room, and please stay a minimum 6' from all players on each sideline. We also gave up a whole soccer field...Field 3 is missing, as a means of putting greater separation between remaining fields.
If we do hear of someone becoming ill that had any contact with our players or parents we will, as we have the last two seasons, contact all families of teams involved and notify them of the potential exposure so they can get tested or quarantine as they feel is appropriate given the level of exposure. We will then cancel all practices and games for the following two weeks. This process has served us well for two seasons and does get a tweak or two as each season progresses. Thanks to our wonderful VP of Coaches, Christy Putty for managing these notifications to team officials and families, and to Dr. Brad Putty for his direction in putting these processes into place.
Concessions will be open, and hot food has returned as well, just like last season. Huge thanks to our concessions staff, we know the added face coverings, gloves, etc, are unpleasant, and we look forward to them being a thing of the past in 2021 at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later!
Please tip the concessions workers extra well since they're going to have to wear uncomfortable masks and are dealing with downturn in business, like so many are now. Thank you to the wonderful folks, most especially Concessions Manager Glynda Smith and Head Referee Derrell Pitcock for making our concessions happen!
Masks are not required by spectators nor players because we are outside, but anyone more comfortable wearing one is encouraged to do so.
Special Thanks to Lisa Escobedo and Chris Haworth of the City of Colleyville, THANK YOU SO MUCH from the kids and parents at Colleyville Soccer!
Have a safe and healthy season, distance when at the fields, wash your hands every time you think about it. I look forward to seeing you on the pitch!
Patrick Dunagan, President, Colleyville Soccer Association