COVID-19 Policies and Procedures

Return-to-Play: Phase 1

UpdatedFriday July 17, 2020 byApril Masterson.

Dear Parents, 

First and foremost, we hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. We have received questions from the community about if and how COVID-19 will change this year’s athletic season. We know this outbreak has been stressful to many and recognize that exercising and participating in activities like sports can be a healthy way to cope with stress and connect with our community. With the Pennsylvania Governor moving Bucks County and surrounding counties to phase GREEN, we are excited to let you know that we plan to resume outdoor soccer activities while following CDC considerations to protect players, families, and our community.  

The health and safety of our athletes, staff, and volunteers remain our highest priority. In accordance with Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer (EPYS) stages of restart guidance, our return to play is a cautious and gradual re-opening. The plan for gradual re-opening will take place over a series of 4 stages this summer, with the goal of being ready for our athletes to return to game competition by the start of the fall season. This week our soccer program starts Return to Play Stage 2. While our plan is to be able to move to the next stage within two to three weeks, it will depend on evolving conditions of the pandemic as well as an assessment of how well as a club (athletes, coaches, and parents) we are able to adhere to social distancing, general hygiene, and safety protocols. When the Return to Play Stage level changes, all families of registered players will be notified via an e-mail with guidance as to what that stage entails. Parents, it is your decision as to what stage you feel comfortable allowing your child to return to play in practices and/or games. Your decision will not impact your child’s standing or playing time within the team.

Here is a summary of considerations we are asking each of our club members to follow during

Return to Play Stage 2

• Play is limited to your currently registered players and coaches. This includes the 19-20 season and players who have registered with Buckingham United for 20-21. 
• Players must complete the Communicable Disease Waiver and provide it to their team coach or manager before attending the first practice
• Small group training- no more than 25 per field.  (Practice at Herbst only)
• No competitions, i.e. league play or tournaments 
• Carpooling not recommended. If carpooling is necessary, the same group should always travel together. 
• Social distancing required 
• Body contact is permitted 
• Consider injury risk strategies as endurance, strength, and soccer skills come back into focus. 
• Spectators not recommended at the field. 
• Coaches must wear masks/face covering. Players must wear when not engaged in activity.

Below, you will find a pdf of CBAA Soccer/Buckingham United’s COVID Health and Safety plan as well as a link to where EPYS’s return to play protocols can be found. We have already started educating our coaches and trainers on these guidelines. As part of return to play your coaches will review with you the considerations players and parents are expected to follow. We encourage each family to take a few minutes to read through CBAA Soccer/Buckingham United’s COVID Health and Safety plan to familiarize yourself with the social distancing and hygiene protocols that have been put in place for the coming season.

• EPYS COVID Return to Play Protocols

Anyone who is sick or has been in contact with someone who has COVID-19— including players, family members, coaches, staff, and spectators — should not attend practices. Be on the lookout for symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Call your doctor if you think you or a family member is sick. If you are seeing these symptoms and your athlete previously practiced with players on their team please also let your team coach know. 

We look forward to seeing you.

Thank you and stay healthy, 

Bill Gibbons, CBAA Soccer Director of Health and Safety

	CBAA Soccer COVID-19 Health & Safety Plan_7.17.20.pdf
	Communicable Disease Waiver_7.2020