Prior to participating in any Gates Youth Soccer program, each active participant must submit a completed/signed copy of the Hold Harmless Waiver. Please inquire with your coach or lead staff with any questions.

Reviewed March 3, 2021

In preparation to resume programs, tournaments, and training we are following the advice and directives of our local and state officials, as well as guidance from health and medical authorities to provide a safe return to play model for our staff, coaches, players and families.

All staff, coaches, players and families are advised to adhere to the following guidelines and protocol so that we maximize the safety of all participants. Gates Youth Soccer recommends following CDC recommendations and other safety measures as they pertain to sports complexes and programs.

Following are guidelines, protocols and safety measures that we have initiated, or adopted, to ensure the safety of our players, coaches and parents. Let's try to make this work the best we can to have a successful return to play. We realize there may be mixed emotions about returning to play. We are hoping we can make the return to play safe, and we should continue to remind each other of the safety protocols as needed. Part of keeping everyone safe includes individual actions. 

• Follow all rules and policies set forth by the Club, Regional, State, and National Associations
• Be a positive role model while abiding with any venue administrations' rules of conduct pertaining to game play and/or the safety of spectators, players, team and venue staff, etc.  
• Work in the spirit of cooperation with officials, administrators, coaches, and spectators
• Demonstrate positive support for all players, coaches, and officials
• Treat officials with respect and dignity
• In all instances, provide a safe and healthy environment

The Metros Soccer Tournament is one of the first youth soccer tournament events in the Rochester area scheduled in the period since July 6, 2020, when NY State indicated that moderate risk sports would resume. We host this event with the intent to offer teams some sort of competitive play as we emerge from a long, and bleak, period without soccer. With this in mind we ask that you treat this event as a first step in the gradual process of Return to Play.

We are optimistic this event will be a celebration of Return to Play, however we do urge all of you to take precautions and follow the recommended behaviors, and requests of the facility staff and event hosts, in order to keep all who are in attendance safe and comfortable throughout the event.  Some guidelines to adhere to might be, but are not limited to,

• Wear facial covering
• Maintain the recommended social distance (six feet apart)
• Limit spectators to two per player
• No tents or pop-up type shelters permitted (exception for personal umbrella type sun shield)
• Frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizing solution
• Players not in play (or on a bench) should wear face covering if they cannot maintain social distance (six feet apart)
• Coaches and team staff should wear a mask
• No handshakes or team lines should occur before or after a match
• Please leave the fields and venue immediately following a match
• Avoid crowded areas and enclosed spaces
• Stop the Spread of Germs (CDC)

• Adhere to the current New York State Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers
• Prior to participating check your child temperature and refrain from participation if he or she has a fever (≥100.4 degrees F).
• If your child currently has any of the symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (click here); including coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath OR fever of 100 degrees OR sudden loss of taste or smell the child can not participate in soccer activities until cleared by a medical professional.
• Stay in or near your car and/or adhere to social distance requirements, based on state and local health requirements.
  • In the case of inclement weather we will dismiss all to their parent/guardian immediately.
• It's recommended that only two spectators be present from each family 
• Face coverings are generally required for anyone when they are not practicing or playing
  • It's recommended you wear a  face covering when you can't maintain "six feet apart"
• Ensure your child’s training gear is washed after every training session.
• Ensure your child’s equipment, (cleats, ball, shin guards, etc.) are sanitized before and after every training.
• Notify the club immediately if your child becomes ill for any reason using the report form.
• Supply your child with hand sanitizer for each training session. 
• We have designated areas of entry and exit onto fields.
• At the end of the training session, the children will be released slowly from their field maintaining 6ft distance from each other. 

• Wash hands thoroughly before and after training.
• Bring and use hand sanitizer at every training.
• When you enter the complex go straight to your training field.
• Bring your ball and water bottle to the field. 
• Do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment, water, snack, or bag.
• Practice social distancing, by placing your equipment, ball and water bottle aside your training space, keeping 6 ft from others. 
• Maintain physical distance from your teammates (air high fives are awesome but no high 5’s, hugs, handshake, piggy backs etc.)
• At the end of training return to your parent/guardian immediately.

• Prior to training check your temperature. Do not participate if you have a fever (≥100.4 degrees F) or are displaying symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
• Ensure you have disinfection spray or hand sanitizer. 
• More than 9 players? Develop two training groups (i.e back to back with a 15 minute break between) and keep the players in the same training group to reduce the risk of transmission.
• Ideally, all training exercises would be designed where players are at least 6ft from each other with limited physical contact.
• As players enter the training field - organize players immediately to maintain social distancing protocol. 
• Ask players prior to the beginning of training if anyone feels ill - send them back to their parent/guardian immediately. 
• Ensure all players have their individual equipment (ball, water, bag, etc) and set up a space for each player to have their equipment at least 6 ft from each other.
• The Coach is the only person to handle cones, discs, etc. no pinnies required during this initial phase. 
• At the conclusion of training dismiss the players one at a time to ensure social distancing.
• Disinfect equipment (cones & disks) between sessions.

Any individual (player, coach, staff or parent/guardian) who has tested positive for COVID-19 must be symptom free after 14 days and cleared by a medical personnel before participating in any activities with Gates Youth Soccer. For example activities include practices, scrimmages, friendly matches, tournaments, team bonding exercises, or gatherings. This is not an exhaustive list.  

Any asymptomatic player, coach or staff member who has been exposed to an individual with a suspected or diagnosed case of COVID-19 will be restricted from participation for at least 14 days and monitored for any symptoms consistent with infection before being allowed to participate in any activities with Gates Youth Soccer.

Any individual that tests positive or has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 has a duty to report to the Club. Report to either Vice President - Misty Bobzin, or Travel Soccer Program Director - Peter Urban, or the club President - Mike Branciforte.

If asymptomatic after 14 days since last exposure, the player, coach or staff member can return to participation. In this case, exposure means any one of the following:

• Caring for a person with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. 
• Living in the same household as an individual with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. 
• Being within 6 feet of an individual with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection for around 10 minutes or more. 
• OR: coming in direct contact with secretions from an individual with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection (being coughed on, sneezed on or sharing a water bottle or other item).
• Any staff, player, coach or parent/guardian reporting or demonstrating symptoms of illness at any point will be prohibited from participating in any activities with Gates Youth Soccer and must seek guidance from his or her physician before returning to training. 

• No tents or pop-up shelters are permitted. Personal umbrella-type shelters should not be shared.
• Only come to the event premises immediately preceding a match. Teams and spectators are not to congregate
• Vacate the event premises immediately following a match. Teams and spectators are not to congregate
• Complex fields are only available for scheduled activities that have been approved by the facility management.
• Designate entry and exit areas for players, coaches and staff to ensure the flow of people is organized and limited in number. See field Map.
• The main building will be open however the number of individuals in the building may be limited to prevent crowding. 
• Outdoor  concessions will be under the management of the facility, and limited and monitored for crowding by the facility staff.
• Indoor and outdoor bathrooms will be open as needed. 1 individual at a time. Facility staff will disinfect and clean the bathrooms regularly and in accordance with CDC disinfection guidelines.

• No tents or pop-up shelters are permitted. Personal umbrella-type shelters should not be shared.
• Only come to the event premises immediately preceding a match. Teams and spectators are not to congregate
• Vacate the event premises immediately following a match. Teams and spectators are not to congregate
• Complex fields are only available for scheduled activities that have been approved by the facility management.
• Designate entry and exit areas for players, coaches and staff to ensure the flow of people is organized and limited in number. See field Map.
• Outdoor  concessions will be under the management of the facility, and limited and monitored for crowding by the facility staff.
• Bathrooms will be open as needed. 1 individual at a time. Facility staff will disinfect and clean the bathrooms regularly and in accordance with CDC disinfection guidelines.

• Provide a safe environment for all.
• Promote a a plan that encourages social distancing and adheres to recommended guidelines.
• Provide disinfectant solutions for coaches and players to use. 
• Develop a reporting plan and subsequent action plan.
• Continue to engage with local and state authorities and adhere to any and all guidelines recommended.