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. After careful thought and planning, we are excited to let you know that we plan to resume youth sports while following CDC considerations to protect players, families, and our community.

The health and safety of our athletes, coaches, referees, and volunteers remain our highest priority. Below, you will find a summary of actions we are taking to help ensure we are lowering COVID-19 risk as much as possible while also allowing our athletes to play. We are:

• Intensifying cleaning and disinfection of all equipment by providing training on properly sanitizing equipment used by players including balls, cones, and other training equipment. Cleaning supplies will be provided to coaches and we encourage you to clean personal equipment such as goalie gloves and launder uniforms between uses. Players in divisions U8 and older will be provided with pinnies (scrimage vests) for personal use.

• Reducing physical closeness or contact between players when possible by eliminating contact sportsmanship celebrations such as hi-fives and huddles, eliminating post-game snacks and requiring 6' spacing on sidelines. Curriculum will focus on individual skills practiced while distanced whenever possible.

• Promoting healthy hygiene practices. Players, parents, and volunteers will be required to bring hand sanitizer and use it frequently. Children are encouraged to properly cover coughs and sneezes and dispose of tissues, water bottles, and other trash responsibly.

• Requiring that coaches, youth sports staff, officials, parents, and spectators wear a cloth face covering while spectating. . Players are not required to wear a mask while playing or recovering from activity. As a reminder, cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children younger than 2 years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance.

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 or games. 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 someone does get sick during practice or at a game, we have plans in place to isolate and transport that person to their home or healthcare facility. If you have a specific question about this plan or COVID-19, please contact Jennifer McLennan, our COVID Safety Director for more information. You can also find more information about COVID-19 at www.cdc.gov.