Overview:

Acton Boxborough Youth Soccer is planning a spring program using the guidelines set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Youth Soccer (MYSA), Boston Area Youth Soccer (BAYS) and the Towns of Acton and Boxborough.  THE GUIDANCE FROM THE STATE AND MYSA HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO EVOLVE.  WE WILL KEEP THIS PAGE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION AS WE RECEIVE IT.

In accordance with COVID-19 order no.65 issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and effective March 1, 2021 by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), soccer remains classified as a Moderate risk sport 

The information provided below is based on the most recent guidelines provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the return to Phase III, Step 2 as of March 2, 2021.

Mass Youth Soccer requires all adults involved in soccer activities to read, understand and conduct themselves in accordance with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association COVID-19 Return to Soccer Activities Guidelines. 

The following rules, guidelines and changes are a summary of the detailed guidelines provided by the EEA and MYSA regarding playing soccer this fall. Please review and familiarize with these guidelines.

Top 10 Things to Know:

1. Ensure player health.
   • Take temperature daily.
     
   • Do not send child to soccer activities if they have any symptoms.
     
   • Notify your coach if child becomes sick.
     
2. Notify ABYS of positive COVID tests or close contacts.
   • If a coach or player is diagnosed with COVID-19 or notified that they are a close contact, please notify ABYS Risk Officer Yana Gaber
3. Players should practice proper hygiene.
   • Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
     
   • Have your own hand sanitizer.
     
   • Sanitize hands and equipment before and after activities.
     
   • No shared equipment.
     
4. Facial Coverings/Masks
   
   • Players required to wear face coverings before, during, and after games and practices.
   • Players can take mask breaks when they are 6 feet from other players
     
   • Not required for individuals that are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition or disability.
5. Coaches and spectators must wear facial coverings at ALL times
6. Spectator Limits
   
   • As long as the field allows for 6 feet of distance, there is limit of 2 adult spectators (parent/guardian/chaperone) plus siblings per player.
     
7. All teams must have a volunteer COVID-19 Safety Coordinator
   
   • Coordinator may be one of the assistant coaches.
     
   • Preference is for a non-coach parent from the team to volunteer
     
8. Social distancing
   
   • Spectators must maintain a distance of 6 feet at all times.
   • Coaches must maintain a distance of 6 feet from players at all times.
   • Players must maintain a distance of 6 feet when not on the playing field.
9. No touching, hand-shakes, fist-bumps etc.
   
10. Rules and guidelines may change throughout the season.

1. No spectators should attend practices for Grade 3 and above.
   
2. No snacks should be shared by teams.
3. We are increasing time between games to minimize the foot traffic entering and exiting fields.  Please leave fields promptly when activities are over.
4. We will have only one practice time slot per day to minimize foot traffic of teams entering and existing practices at the same time.
5. Field entrances and exits to be marked.
6. Micros, Kinders, and 1st grade will not have weeknight practices.  All sessions will be held on weekends. 

Q: What is the process for submitting a medical exception for a player who cannot wear a mask during play?
A: Please obtain a note from the player's doctor stating that the player cannot wear a mask during play.  This note should not specify any additional medical information such as the reason for not being able to wear a mask.  Provide a copy of the note to the player's coach.

Q: Do spectators have to wear masks if they are spaced 6 feet apart?
A: Yes, per guidelines from the State and MYSA, all spectators must wear masks at all times.

Q: What is the role of the team COVID-19 Coordinator?
A: The team COVID-19 Coordinator role is to assist the Coach in ensuring that the team and spectators are compliant with Massachusetts Youth Soccer’s Return to Soccer Activity Guidelines during practice sessions and games.