The Williams Lake Youth Soccer Association is opening up registration for a 2020 modified summer outdoor season.
After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the association’s spring season cancellation, Oliver Hitch, technical director with the WLYSA, said it’s exciting news to be able to offer a modified summer session at the Esler Sports Complex soccer fields.
In line with BC Soccer, viaSPORT, Canada Soccer and the Ministry of Health, the WLYSA will be running socially distanced soccer training sessions where players will work on their individual and team skills in a non-contact environment. Due to health and safety guidelines, traditional games will not be taking place.
Sessions will be offered for players aged U10 to U18 beginning the week of June 22 and finishing the last week of August and will run Tuesdays for U10-U13 from 5:45 to 7 p.m. and an additional session for skills and fitness Wednesdays for U10-U18 from 5:45 to 7 p.m. Thursdays will see U14 to U18 players practice from 5:45 to 7 p.m.
The cost is $70 for one session per week, while two sessions per week is $90.
Participants will be asked to arrive no earlier than 20 minutes prior to practice and activities’ scheduled start time, and arrive dressed and prepared to participate as no changing will be allowed at the fields, including footwear.
READ MORE: WLYSA spring season officially cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
Each field will have a designated pick up and drop off point for participant sessions, as well.
Other safety precautions being taken are as follows:
Restricted Areas at Esler Soccer Complex
• To reduce contact among members, the upstairs of the clubhouse, the clubhouse deck and picnic tables and the bleachers are closed to all participants
Washrooms
• Washrooms will be cleaned prior to the beginner of each session. One person at a time will be allowed in each washroom.
Attendance
• All participants, including players, coaches, volunteers, staff and parents/guardians, will be recorded for their presence at each session in case of an infected person being identified.
Equipment
• Participants are advised to bring enough water in their personal water bottles to sustain them throughout the scheduled practice/activities. WLYSA will not be providing refill stations.
• Participants will be required to bring their own soccer ball. Players will use their own ball for individual skills and the WLYSA balls for passing.
• Participants are asked to bring their own hand sanitizer. Masks and gloves are optional.
• Players are asked to avoid touching the equipment with their head and hands (other than when goalkeeping gloves are worn).
Player Health
• All participants must read the Illness Policy on COVID-19 symptoms, and will be subject to wellness screenings, and must sign the participant agreement prior to participation.
Group Size
• WLYSA will maintain the maximum 50 person per 11 versus 11 full-sized soccer field currently allowed by the B.C. Public Health Authority. The 50-person maximum includes all players, coaches, volunteers, staff and parents/guardians. No spectators will be allowed during the initial return to soccer.
Registration will be accepted online only by credit card at http://wlysa.rampregistrations.com.
Anyone credited for a cash/cheque payment for the previous registration period will need to receive a promo code by e-mailing admin@wlysa.com with the number of sessions you would like the promo code to be used for.
In order to accommodate health and safety regulations, players must follow the WLYSA’s Complete Return to Play Plan, among reading through and agreeing to the BC Soccer waiver, a participant agreement and WLYSA’s COVID-19 illness policy at www.wlysa.com.
greg.sabatino@wltribune.com
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