Message from NHSC Club Mike Sapsara:

I cannot tell you how excited I am that the beginning of the Fall 2020 season is upon us! The Board of Directors has worked very hard to adopt policies and procedures that will allow our players to return to the field more safely. We have been in consistent communication with our state soccer association (PA West), the North Hills School District and Ross Township and at this time, I can confidently say that we are just about ready for the season to begin!

I know that these have been challenging times for everyone to say the least. We’ve all had to make difficult choices for the safety of ourselves and our families. This upcoming soccer season presents its own challenges and the NHSC Board of Directors has had to make difficult choices in order to maximize the safety of our players and afford us the opportunity to have a season.

Below are a number of the measures that we are taking to prioritize player/family safety:

• Spectators - Spectators will be limited to one person per player at practices. Two spectators per player at games if the roster size is 15 or less and one spectator per player at games if the roster size is more than 15. Your child’s coach will let you know how many spectators are permitted. All spectators are required to wear masks and maintain social distancing of six feet or more. Fields will be set up for social distancing areas for players and will be set up as best as possible for social distancing for spectators.
• Contact Tracing - NHSC will be using the GameChanger app to record attendance for all practices and games. Players are required to confirm their attendance prior to arriving at each practice/game. Upon arrival, attendance will be confirmed at check in. This will be an adjustment and more information will be forthcoming from your coach and/or age group commissioner.
• Health Screening Questions - Prior to each practice/game, each player will be asked to answer two health questions. This will more than likely be done at check in. However, we are exploring an alternative method that could occur prior to arrival.
• Coaches and administrators will be required to wear masks at all times.
• Coaches will be provided with a supply of masks for those players that may forget to bring one to the field.
• Players are required to wear masks when coming to and from the field and while not participating in games (substitutes). Masks are not required while participating in play, however they can be worn if a player or his/her parents prefer. Players will be required to be socially distant during water breaks at practices and while on the sidelines during games. Coaches will provide socially distanced areas for all players for practices and games.
• Field Marshall - We are asking for parent volunteers to help assist the coaches at the fields to check players and spectators in and enforce policies. You will receive more information about this opportunity from your coach and/or age group commissioner
• Liability Waivers - Upon registration, the NHSC club waiver was completed. PA West also requires a waiver to be completed for each individual player. The waiver is linked here. Please complete this and bring it to your first practice and your coach/commissioner will collect it.

We understand that these choices may not be popular and may present challenges for our families but we make them in order to meet our number one priority, the safety of our players and families. We ask for your cooperation in adhering to these measures so as to not risk our players and families safety and jeopardize a season that we all so desperately want to happen.

Should regulations in our school district or county change, the Board of Directors will make revisions to this policy accordingly. Any changes made will be communicated to our members immediately. For more information on NHSC’s return to play policy, please visit our website.

We are committed to returning to the field as safely as possible so that our players can enjoy this beautiful game. We hope that everyone has a safe, fun and enjoyable experience this season!