By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
June 30, 2020-The big question throughout the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), from players, coaches, referees, spectators and the media, is when will organized soccer reboot?
July 6 is the date to start training for all areas in at least Phase 3 and that should entail all of New York State by then. US Soccer guidelines allow for small group training with a maximum of nine players and one coach who maintain social distancing.
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July 27, full team training is allowed but still maintain social distancing. Allow three weeks for coronavirus tracking purposes.
August 17 is the reboot date for games while considering only local and single day competitions. Large events would have to be approved by the local government.
“After a tumultuous spring that has seen over 30,000 New Yorkers die from the virus, we are very happy that the number of illnesses and deaths here have decreased substantially and allow us to restart organized soccer,” commented ENYYSA President Richard Christiano. “We're very excited that kids will be able to be kids once again in enjoying the world’s most popular sport.”
Of course, for any organized soccer to be played from July 6 on is dependent on the necessary field permits being issued. The dates above that Eastern New York leagues, clubs and teams will be following adhere to the guidelines of both New York State and US Soccer.
With approximately 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with nine leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.