Hello fellow Soccer parents/guardians. The SYSA board and our coaching staff are excited to officially have the season underway. Our U8, U10 and U12 teams got out for their first practices last week and our TOTS and U6 program join them tomorrow with their first sessions. A few notes and reminders as most of the age groups take the fields tomorrow but first a note on COVID protocols.
COVID Protocol
-Players who are ill or have COVID symptoms should stay home. Players, coaches, or spectators who have tested positive, traveled internationally or by cruise ship or on a school mandated quarantine are not permitted until their recommended quarantine period is over.
-Masks must be worn at all times by coaches, players, and spectators. I am sure there is a lot of disagreement on this topic but we are following Salem School and Town guidance on the matter and just want our kids to be able to play soccer so please set a good example for your child athlete and comply.
-No more than 2 spectators per athlete. There is no seating at either field so you must bring your own seating. Our participation numbers are higher than we have seen in years and we are trying limit the numbers on the fields.
-There are no bathrooms at the Woodbury fields for the U8 and U10 programs. There is a portable toilet at Morse for the TOT/U6 sessions.
-We will be posting the full COVID protocols on our website.
TOTS
-The TOTS are from 10am-1030am at the Morse Fields behind Soule Elementary. Please arrive by 945am so we can hand out uniforms and get organized. Bo Pham and Jubilee Oberlander (VP REC) will be on hand to help check players in and answer any questions. Players will receive an electric blue jersey with a letter on it. You should bring a size 3 ball and shin pads. The fields, which are on the further side to the right from the parking lot, will be marked with an A,B,C,D,E,or F and you should proceed to the field of your corresponding group letter communicated previously. If you are unclear of your group Bo and Jubilee can assist.
U6
-The U6 group is from 1045am-1145am at the Morse Fields behind Soule Elementary. The first 4 weeks of the U6 schedule is posted on www.salemsoccer.com. Please arrive by 1030 so we can get uniforms sorted for the first day. Please wait on the bigger field not in use until the TOT program concludes. Bo Pham and Jubilee Oberlander, VP REC, will be on hand to help check players in and answer any questions. NEW players will receive a jersey, socks, and shorts. You should bring a size 3 ball and shin pads. Your teams were already communicated and the field corresponding to your childs team is on the schedule. The fields will be marked with signs and will be on the further side to the right from the parking lot. If you are unclear of your team or if their is a mistake Bo and Jubilee can assist.
U8
-The U8's play at Woodbury each week and the first 4 weeks of the team schedule is posted on www.salemsoccer. com. The games are either at 10am, 11am, or 12pm. Please remember we have been asked to park at High School's rear parking lot which is accessed on a road behind the SHS CTE center across from Town Hall. Please arrive at least 20 min early to get uniforms sorted and meet with your teams. Ryan DeStefano and Shaun Delorey will be on hand to help check players in and answer questions. NEW players will receive a shirt, socks, and shorts. You should bring a size 3 ball and shin pads. Cleats are recommended but not required. They cannot be baseball cleats and no jewelry is allowed to be worn. Your teams were already communicated and the field corresponding to your childs team is on the schedule. The fields are behind the SHS varsity Lacrosse field adjacent to the Salem Soccer shed.
U10
-The U10's play at Woodbury each week and the first 4 weeks of the team schedule is posted on www.salemsoccer. com. The games are either at 11am or 12pm. Please remember we have been asked to park at High School's rear parking lot which is accessed on a road behind the SHS CTE center across from Town Hall. Please arrive at least 20 min early to get uniforms sorted and meet with your teams. Ryan DeStefano and Shaun Delorey will be on hand to help check players in and answer questions. NEW players will receive a shirt, socks, and shorts. You should bring a size 4 ball and shin pads. Cleats are recommended but not required. They cannot be baseball cleats and no jewelry is allowed to be worn. Your teams were already communicated and the field corresponding to your childs team is on the schedule. The fields are behind the SHS varsity Lacrosse field adjacent to the Salem Soccer shed.
U12
-Games will not start until weekend of 5/1. Rob Ahearn, VP Travel, is working the intertown schedule and can answer questions. Practices will continue with your coaches and trainers.
General Note
-There are always hiccups in day 1 so please be patient and work with us we will sort out any issues with uniforms, teams, etc.
-The REFs for U8-U12 are young adults trying to help us and who are trying to expand their knowledge of the sport through a passion of the game. Please do not argue with a refs call or give them a hard time. If you have an issue with how a game is called please bring it to the coach or myself and/or Jubilee.
-Your coaches are volunteers. Please support them and if you have an issue or concern that they cannot address you can approach myself or Jubilee.
