The Catholic Youth Apostolates’s CYC Sports volleyball and soccer programs will return for games starting Sept 25.
However, at this time, CYC teams in the City of St. Louis will not play games yet due to city health regulations. Teams in the city are allowed to practice and have inter-squad scrimmages.
The decision to start elsewhere Sept. 25 follows an announcement in St. Louis County that set a framework for fall sports that minimizes the spread of COVID-19. CYC Sports return-to play-guidelines include one spectator per child playing, health screening at games and masks to be worn except while playing.
“This season will be unlike anything we have experienced,” Dan Fitzgerald and Laura Bailey of CYC Sports wrote on the CYC website. “Safety guidelines are in place in an effort to keep the playing environment safe for our athletes, coaches, officials, and parents.”
A checklist and updates for parents, coaches, officials and site directors will be posted on playcyc.org/returntoplay.
Last month, Fitzgerald, director of CYC sports, encouraged people “to hang with us. We know parents would like concrete answers, but this pandemic is not offering a detailed game plan.” He added that “Kids just want to play with their friends and parents want them to be safe and happy. We understand and we are making every effort to bring CYC sports to them this fall.”
The CYC Office has consulted extensively with local and state organizations, health care institutions, other local youth sports organizations, and put together a subcommittee to review the document in detail.
Among the points in the new guidelines:
• Practices are allowed, with no limit on the number of participants, but a limit of two coaches. St. Louis City-based teams are allowed to practice with a limit of 11 participants and two coaches.
• No tournament-style competitions are allowed, such as bracket-style play where multiple teams play back to back.
• Limited spectators are allowed — one parent or guardian per athlete is allowed to attend, as long as those spectators comply with all requirements for facial coverings and social distancing.
• Daily screenings are still required before any physical activity. Athletes should remain in their mask/face covering until they begin vigorous physical activity. As soon as activity has ended, athletes are to wear mask/face covering again. Any time the athlete is not actively engaged in physical activity they must be wearing a mask/face covering.
• Coaches must remain in mask/face coverings at all times.
• Every individual, including coaches, spectators, officials and athletes, must be screened every day before a practice or game.