August 15, 2020 - In accordance with COVID-19 order no 43 issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on July 6, 2020, with amendments to supporting documentation issued on August 13, 2020 by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), Mass Youth Soccer has determined the need to require specific modifications in order for Soccer to be continued to be played as a Moderate Risk Sport under the expansion of Phase III, Levels 1, 2, and 3.
Updated Return to Play Guidelines and modifications to all Mass Youth Soccer sanctioned soccer activities will go into effect on Monday August 17, 2020.
Mass Youth Soccer requires all adults involved in soccer activities to read, understand and conduct themselves in accordance with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association COVID-19 Return to Soccer Activities Guidelines as provided by this web site.
Liability and COVID-19
Please see linked below a pre-recorded webinar by Mass Youth Soccer Executive Director - Mike Borislow and Executive Vice - President David Amidon with regards to liability for COVID-19.
Content covered in the Presentation includes:
- Protections for Mass Youth Soccer Member Organizations & Affiliated Leagues
- Protections for Affiliated Individuals - Directors, Officers & Staff
- Protections for Affiliated Individuals - Volunteers
- Conclusion and Q&A with commonly asked member questions
"Information contained in this communication may not be considered attorney advertising. Nothing in this communication is intended to provide legal or other advice or create an attorney client relationship"
Phase 3 - Pre-Recorded Webinar - August 17, 2020
Phase 3 - Live Q&A - August 19, 2020
Note to Member organizations, please use the link mayouthsoccer.org/returntosocceractivitiespdf/ in registration forms to ensure you are linking to the most current version of this document.
If you have used the link above or clicked on the image to the right in the past, you may need to clear your cache to view the latest version.
Massachusetts Youth Soccer is dedicated to protecting the health of all people in and outside of our community. In an effort to assist our players, coaches and parents with their efforts to return to play after the recent suspension of activities, due to COVID-19, Massachusetts Youth Soccer has put together the Return to Soccer Activities guidelines for our affiliate members to use. Mass Youth Soccer requires all adults involved in soccer activities to read, understand and conduct themselves in accordance with these Guidelines.
Given the nature of this pandemic, this framework may change at any time based on the most recent CDC and or Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) guidelines. Please keep in mind that local municipalities may have additional guidelines in place that will need to be adhered to. Once this order has been relaxed, please be aware that individual counties and jurisdictions may have additional restrictions in place that affect your decisions.
Member Organization COVID-19 Safety Officer
Based on strong recommendations from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, U.S. Soccer, US Youth Soccer and other governing entities, Mass Youth Soccer requires all Member Organizations to appoint an individual(s) to act as their COVID-19 Safety Officer(s). The COVID-19 Safety Officer(s) will be responsible for communicating policies organization-wide, to coaching staff, administrators, parents, and players.
This person(s) can be the current organization's CORI Submitter/Risk Manager or another person(s) appointed by the member organization's board.
Each COVID-19 Safety Officer must sign an agreement and submit to Mass Youth Soccer.
Checklist for Member Organization Leaders
This document provides a simple checklist for Member Organizations to use as they prepare to return to soccer activities. All Mass Youth Soccer member organizations must follow the association’s guidelines. In addition, each organization may adopt additional protocols consistent with their specific needs and circumstances to help protect the health and safety of all members, employees, volunteers, and participants.
Click here to download the Member Checklist for Organization Leaders
Resources for Coaches
The Mass Youth Soccer Technical Department has developed resources to assist coaches during Phase 3 Reopening Massachusetts.
Coaches Toolkit
Physical Distancing Session Plans
Mandatory use of Waiver Registration Language
New waiver language that must be included in all registrations for all player and adult registrations. This language can be found on the Member Toolkit page of our web site mayouthsoccer.org/member-toolkit/ Scroll down to the bottom to see the links for Waiver Language.