Phase Update: Training Safety Protocols

With the announcement early October from Governor Inslee updating youth sports guidances, it has allowed for a safe return to full team training and games in low and moderate risk communities, including Whatcom County. We have updated our training protocols with the assistance of our governor, WSYSA, and Whatcom County Health professionals. Safety will remain our #1 priority as we navigate this these new additions to our soccer environments. We will begin light contact team trainings and games starting October 12. If you have any questions about our training protocols, please contact your age group directors.

ALL RELEVANT PHASE 2 SMALL GROUP TRAINING GUIDELINES WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT

Parent Guidelines

• Parents conduct symptom checks before training.
• Players do not attend if they do not feel well or a player’s temperature is high. It is recommended to do a temperature check at home.
• Do not drop players off early for training.
• Parents will continue to follow all drop off and pick up guidelines outlined in Phase 2.
• WFC Rangers recommends that restrooms be used for emergencies only.
• WFC Rangers Executive Director will be the point of contact for all case tracking.

Training Protocols

• Full team training can resume with light contact and 50 people per field.
• We will resume with 60-75 minute sessions depending on the age group.
• Coaches will continue to perform a wellness check before each training starts.
• Coaches will continue to wear masks at training.
• Coaches will sanitize their equipment daily.
• Bibs – Coaches can use bibs but must collect them daily and wash them. The bib can only be used by one player at training. You can also assign each player a bib they bring home and is part of their kit.
• Players will train on their designated fields only and will observe all entry and exit points for those fields.
• Players will continue to wear face masks to and from the fields.
• Players will continue to place their bags 6 feet apart for training and will only drink from their own water bottle.
• Coaches cannot have gatherings of players for team talks before or after training
• Players do not touch any equipment, only coaches will be allowed to touch equipment.
• There will be no mixing of players during this time. Players cannot train up until we reach Phase 4.

LIGHT CONTACT TRAINING

• No slide tackling
• No lines of players waiting for their chance to play
• No team huddles at the beginning or end of training
• Players can be closer than 6 feet but only if they are moving
• Maintain social distancing if players are not moving
• No throw ins- kick ins only
• No high fives, hugs or personal contact