DISCLAIMER: The information in this document is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content including text, graphics, images, and information, are provided for general information purposes only.
Oregon Premier Football Club’s #1 priority is to PLAY ON…SAFELY!
Our number one priority has been and will continue to be the health and safety of our players and their families. We want to stress to our families that there is no pressure to return until you are comfortable returning to the fields. We will work with any family concerned with “return to play” to ensure that their child has a soccer home WHEN they are comfortable returning to the field.
We have used resources from the following agencies and organizations in order to create a thorough return to play strategy:
CDC
US Youth Soccer
Oregon Youth Soccer Association
The United States Olympic Committee
Below is Oregon Premier Football Club’s phased approach to returning to play, based on the official phased approach to reopening Oregon businesses and modifying physical/social distancing from Governor Kate Brown.
We want to clearly communicate the policies and protocols that we will deploy in an effort to keep everyone healthy and as safe as possible as our players return to the field. We ask that all of our members follow these guidelines closely and diligently.
Clackamas County Phases
Clackamas County Entered Phase 1 on May 22, 2020
Some counties will be eligible to begin the limited reopening of additional business sectors beginning as early as May 15 if they have demonstrated they have met all prerequisites for reopening.
Clackamas County applied for Phase 1 approval on Tuesday May 19, 2020.
Counties must:
- Show a decline in COVID-19 or have fewer than 5 hospitalizations.
- Have sufficient COVID-19 testing and contact tracing capability.
- Establish plans for the isolation and quarantine of new cases.
- Have the hospital capacity to handle any surge in COVID-19 cases.
- Have enough personal protective equipment for health care workers.
Counties that meet all of the above criteria will be eligible to enter Phase 1 of reopening on May 15, pending approval of their application by the Governor after recommendations from the Oregon Health Authority.
In Phase 1, counties can begin the limited reopening of the following sectors under specific safety guidelines:
- Restaurants and bars for sit-down service.
- Personal care and services businesses, including barbers and salons.
- In-person gatherings of up to 25 people.
Counties must remain in Phase 1 for at least 21 days before becoming eligible to advance to Phase 2. If counties begin to see significant increases in COVID-19 cases or community spread, the Oregon Health Authority will work with local public health officials to evaluate what actions should be taken. Significant growth in COVID-19 spread could necessitate a county moving back from Phase 1 to a stay-home status. More details on Phases 2 and 3 are forthcoming.
After 21 days in Phase 1, counties continuing to meet the prerequisites may be able to enter Phase 2. Goal is to further expand gathering size, allow some office work, plus begin to allow visitation to congregate care. Specifics are still being worked out and will be based on data collected in Phase 1.
May include:
- Optional increased work in offices.
- In-person local gatherings up to 100 with physical distancing. (tentative & subject to change)
- Visitation to nursing homes. (limited)
Large gatherings and events are not possible until a reliable treatment or prevention is available. As a result, these are cancelled or significantly modified through at least September.
May include:
- Concerts, conventions, festivals, live-audience sports (tentative & subject to change)
Policies and Responsibilities
These are the specific responsibilities for the club, players, parents and coaches within the OPFC Return To Play plan.
We must all work together in order to get players back on the field.
- Create and distribute protocols, policies/responsibilities to all members.
- All resources will be available through the club’s web site.
- Have an effective communication plan for all aspects of return to play in place.
- Web site – Social Media – Team Snap – Email
- Maintain participant confidentiality regarding health status.
- Be accommodating to parents/players who may be uncomfortable with returning to play at this time.
- The club will follow CDC Guidelines when dealing with a player’s positive diagnosis of COVID-19.
- Train and educate all staff on protocols and requirements, including state and local regulations, CDC recommendations and other necessary safety information.
- Provide adequate field space for social distancing.
- Clearly mark spots six feet apart for each player to place their backpack and water bottle during training.
- Provide hand sanitizing stations and waste receptacles at fields for individual participant use.
- Develop a relationship and a dialogue with local health officials.
- Educate our players and families on healthy behavior while on the field.
Training Schedules
- We will consider time/day/frequency/length – when we schedule training sessions. We will keep the number of players in mind as we schedule fields and sessions.
- We will leave time between sessions and have a plan for entering and exiting the fields to minimize personal contact.
Training Activities
- We will consider the number of players on a field and/or half field.
- Leave time in between sessions to reduce physical contact as players enter and exit fields. (Please see field maps for player walking paths.)
- We will plan activities that minimize physical contact between players.
- We will plan activities that maintain social distancing requirements.
- We will clearly mark spots six feet apart for players to set their backpacks and water bottles.
- We recommend that your temperature be taken before soccer activities.
- Let your parent and or coach know if you are not feeling well.
- Wash hands thoroughly before and after training.
- Bring and use hand sanitizer with you at every training if possible.
- Do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment. Place gear on designated spots.
- Practice social distancing, place bags and equipment at least 6 feet apart.
- Wash and sanitize all equipment before and after every training.
- No group celebrations, high-5s, hugs, handshakes, fist-bumps, etc.
- Do not assist coaches with equipment before or after training.
- Show up no earlier than five minutes before your scheduled session.
- Do not gather in small groups before or after your session.
- Ensure your child is healthy, and check your child’s temperature before activities with others.
- Do not send you player to training if your child feels sick.
- Stay in car or adhere to social distance requirements, based on state and local health requirements.
- We recommend child’s training kit is washed after every training.
- We recommend equipment (cleats, ball, shin guards etc.) are sanitized before and after every training.
- Do not assist coaches with equipment before or after training.
- We recommend providing your child with personal sanitizing products.
- Educate your child about proper behavior for social distancing. (Stay at least six feet away from other players)
DROP OFF / PARKING / PICK UP
- Drop off players at the designated location at each field.
- Pick up your player at the designated pick up location. (Click Here to view field maps)
- Please do not park at the drop off or pick up spots. Keep traffic flowing.
- Please try to avoid carpools. (Keep extra masks in your car in case you have to take an unscheduled child home.)
- Do NOT arrive earlier than 5 minutes before your scheduled training time.
- Strive to ensure the health and safety of players.
- Inquire how the athletes are feeling. The coach will contact the player’s parents if a player becomes ill.
- Follow all state and local health protocols and guidelines.
- Ensure all athletes have their own personal equipment and store it properly (water bottle, bag etc.)
- Ensure coach is the only person to handle equipment (e.g. cones, ladders etc.)
- All training should comply with social distances per state guidelines.
- Wear a face mask when actively coaching near players.
- We will NOT use pinnies (bibs, training vests, etc.) at this time.
- Only staff should touch equipment, if possible.
- We will sanitize shared equipment at the field.
- Have a wastebasket available for masks and gloves.
- Recommend everyone to use hand sanitizer before attending and leaving sessions.
- We will communicate with partner facilities to confirm cleanliness.
Field Maps
Parents can find their player’s scheduled practice field, drop-off and pick-up locations when practice schedules are released in TeamSnap.
Athey Creek Middle School
2900 SW Borland Rd, Tualatin, OR 97062
- Enter the school driveway off Borland Road and follow the arrows for traffic flow. Parents stay in your car and let your child out of the car by the scheduled field for your child’s practice. Please do not park and wait or continue conversations when stopped. TRAFFIC MUST KEEP FLOWING. If you are going to stay and park your car, please drop your child off first and THEN go park your car.
- There are THREE fields at Athey Creek. Drop your child off next to the field where your child’s practice is scheduled. Players should EXIT the fields by the building for field one or on the service road between Athey Creek and the Wanker’s Corner Country Store for fields 2 and 3.
- Please remind your player that once they are on the field they need to walk DIRECTLY to their field and place all gear on their designated spot. Players should NOT gather in small groups and they should avoid all physical contact with other players.
- When leaving the field, players should stay six feet apart and exit the field at the designated exit. If a player must wait, please do so while staying six feet away from other players.
- When picking up your player please do so at the designated exit ONLY. Pick up your child and drive away as quickly as you can safely.
Hazelia Field
17800 SW Stafford Rd, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
- Enter the park driveway and follow the arrows for traffic flow. Parents stay in your car and let your child out of the car at the appropriate entrance. Please do not park and wait or continue conversation when stopped. Traffic must keep flowing. If you are going to stay and park your car, please drop your child off first at the designated entrance (middle gate) and THEN go park your car.
- There are THREE gates at Hazelia. Use the designated ENTRANCE (middle gate) and EXIT (end gates) for entering and leaving the field to avoid congestion and unnecessary physical contact by players.
- Please remind your player that once they are on the field they need to walk AROUND the field to their team’s area and place all gear on their designated spot. Players should NOT gather in small groups and they should avoid all physical contact with other players.
- When leaving the field, players should stay six feet apart and exit the field at the designated exit. If a player must wait, please do so while staying six feet away from other players.
- When picking up your player please do so at the designated field exit ONLY. Pick up your child and drive away as quickly as you can safely.
Horizon Christian High School
23370 SW Boones Ferry Rd, Tualatin, OR 97062
- Enter the church driveway from Lower Boones Ferry Road and follow the arrows for traffic flow. Parents stay in your car and let your child out of the car at the drop off area. Please do not park and wait or continue conversation when stopped. Traffic must keep flowing. If you are going to stay and park your car, please drop your child off first at the designated entrance and THEN go park your car.
- There is only ONE field entrance at Horizon. Use the the designated ENTRANCE up front. Players will exit the fields at the back of the field and walk along the service road to the designated pick up spot. Please try to avoid congestion and unneeded physical contact when entering and exiting the gate.
- Please remind your player that once they are on the field they need to walk AROUND the field to their team’s scheduled area and place all gear on their assigned cone. Players should NOT gather in small groups and they should avoid all physical contact with other players.
- When leaving the field, players should try to stay six feet apart and exit the field at the designated exit. Players should go DIRECTLY to the pick up area. If a player must wait, please do so while staying six feet away from other players.
- When picking up your player please do so at the designated pick up area ONLY. Exit the parking lot onto SW Norwood Drive.
Additional FAQs
Players come first, their physical and mental health are important to us. Being outside in the fresh air and with their team safely is our goal. We will be following federal, state, and local guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety.
We want to stress to our families that there is no pressure to return until you are comfortable returning to the fields. We will work with any family concerned with “return to play” to ensure that their child has a soccer home WHEN they are comfortable returning to the field.
All of our policies will be shared on our website, social media platforms, and emailed out to our members.
If a player or coach tests positive for Covid 19, we may suspend practices for that player’s team for two weeks
while all players self-quarantine. Our communication to the team will be daily to check on the welfare of our players
and to keep everyone updated. Once a two week quarantine passes, we may restart practices as outlined in this
document. We will work closely with medical experts and local governing bodies to handle any situation where we
have a player or coach test positive for Covid 19.
Coaches and sidelines observers will be asked to wear masks initially, but players will only need to wear their masks to and from the car/field.
Referees will follow the same protocol as players.
OPFC recommends that parents monitor and check temperatures prior to sending children to practice.
Because kids can be carriers, and will interact with other at-risk individuals, they may pass the virus on to others unknowingly. Additionally, just as we Honor the Game in soccer, which means following the rules even when you can get away without following them, we choose to partner with our Governor and local officials and follow all mandates to insure the safety of all in our community.
OPFC will follow CDC guidelines and USYS directives regarding the transmission of the virus.
Understanding that masks can inhibit a player’s ability to breathe during exercise, players will only be asked to wear masks to and from the field.
If any portion of the season is canceled due to COVID-19, all registered players will receive a refund for those months.
Promoting Behaviors that Reduce Spread
OPFC encourages behaviors that reduce the spread of COVID-19. Everyone should follow these guidelines as we return to play.
Staying Home when Appropriate
We are encouraging sick staff, families, and players to stay home. If any staff member or player is not feeling well and or has a high temperature we encourage you to stay at home. While we want everyone on the fields having fun we ask that any player or coach that may not be feeling well to stay at home!
- Individuals, including coaches, players, and families, should stay home if they have tested positive for or are showing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Individuals, including coaches, players, and families, who have recently had a close contact with a person with COVID-19 should also stay home and monitor their health.
Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette
Please wash your hands thoroughly before and after attending any soccer activity. Wash hands with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used. We will have hand sanitizer available at every field we use.
- We will not allow spitting and we encourage everyone to cover their coughs and sneezes with the inside of their elbow. Use hand sanitizer after you cough or sneeze.
Cloth Face Coverings
We will follow all requirements concerning face masks as set by Federal, State and County mandates. At this time we do not know what, if any, requirements will be mandated concerning face masks. We will update our recommendation, if we have any, when return to play happens.
As of now, our coaches will wear a face mask when actively coaching near players.
Cleaning and Disinfection
- Use of shared objects and equipment (e.g., soccer balls) will be limited, and cleaned between sessions.
- The club will ensure safe and correct use and storage of disinfectants, including storing products securely away from children. We will use products that meet EPA disinfection criteria.
Signs and Messages
The club will post signs in highly visible locations (e.g., at entrances and exits, and in restrooms) that promote everyday protective measures and describe how to stop the spread of germs such as by properly washing hands and covering youth coughs and sneezes.
Water Systems
We are requiring staff, and players to bring and use their own water bottles.
Modified Layouts and Social (Physical) Distancing
- The club will identify adult staff, members or volunteers to help maintain social distancing among youth, coaches, referees, and spectators (if state and local directives allow for spectators).
- We will make every effort to space players at least 6 feet apart on the field while participating in soccer activities.
- We will discourage unnecessary physical contact, such as high fives, handshakes, fist bumps, or hugs.
- We will create distance between players when explaining drills or the rules of the game.
- We will urge parents to limit the use of carpools or van pools. When riding in an automobile to a sports event, encourage players to ride to the sports event with persons living in their same household.
- If practices or competition facilities must be shared, we will increase the amount of time between practices and competitions to allow for one group to leave before another group enters the facility. If possible, we will allow time for cleaning and/or disinfecting.
Physical Barriers and Guides
- The club will provide physical guides, such as signs and cone/paint on playing fields, to make sure that coaches and players remain at least 6 feet apart.
How To Disinfect Clothes
In this section, we provide some basic guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19 while doing laundry. This information was gathered from medicalnewstoday.com
Doing Laundry At Home:
- Launder items with laundry soap or household detergent. Consider using a detergent that contains bleach. However, be sure to read the product description and guidelines to avoid potentially ruining certain clothing items. Consider soaking clothes in a solution containing quaternary ammonium
before washing them. - Choose the warmest available water setting. The WHO recommend water temperatures between 60–90°C (140–194°F). However, high temperatures can damage or shrink delicate clothing items, so remember to read the care labels.
- Dry clothing completely.
- Disinfect laundry baskets with 0.1% sodium hypochlorite or one of these household disinfectants, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have approved.
- Wear gloves when doing laundry. Wash the hands with warm water and soap immediately after removing the gloves. If gloves are not available, wash the hands immediately after handling dirty clothing and avoid touching the face.
Doing Laundry At A Laundromat:
Not everyone has a washing machine in their home. However, those who use laundry facilities can still follow the guidelines that we have listed above. In addition, consider the following precautions when doing laundry in a public place:
- Maintain a 6-foot (2-meter) distance from other people.
- Wear disposable gloves and avoid touching the face.
- Disinfect the surfaces of the washer and dryer.
- Fold the laundry at home.
- At home, immediately wash the hands before folding the laundry.
- Disinfect the laundry basket or consider using disposable laundry bags.