Update on covid-19
March 25, 2020
Dear ECYSA Town Organizations,
During this unprecedented time and uncertain circumstances, we at ECYSA want to stay connected to you and support your organizations in any way that we can. As such I want to provide this update.
ECYSA is involved in ongoing communication with MA Youth Soccer and representatives of the other affiliated leagues across the Commonwealth, and MA Youth Soccer is likewise engaged with local and state health authorities, US Soccer, US Youth Soccer and the other affiliated state organizations across the country.
All of you should have received MA Youth Soccer’s latest notification that they have extended the moratorium on soccer activities through May 4th. This means that no in person meetings practices etc. should be taking place even if they fall below the federal guidelines of 10 or less people. MA Youth Soccer has also extended the deadline for payment of the spring fees.
The ECYSA Board is working on a number of scenarios that would allow us to have a full schedule if the ban is lifted as of the end of April. We are also formulating additional plans for an abbreviated season if we are allowed on the fields later in May. We understand that since many of our towns play on fields controlled by their local school system and that extended school and or facility closures may also impact our ability to play games. With MA schools now closed until May 4th, it is likely that our first games could be scheduled on the weekend of May 9th and 10th.
Many of you may be concerned about the financial strain this situation is putting on your organization and your families. Prior to the shutdown ECYSA had invested significant resources in the formulation of the spring season but ECYSA is committed to supporting each of our organizations through this time and if we are not able to play soccer this spring, we will credit or refund 100% of your team fees. If we can play a partial season, then the appropriate referee fees etc. will be returned to towns in full for games not played as is our normal practice. We hope that this assurance will allow you to assure your members as well.
Even though you are not able to put coaches and players on fields at this time, we hope you will encourage your players to stay active and continue to work on their skills. As a way to help keep your players engaged in the game of soccer ECYSA has begun to post resources on the ECYSA Facebook page (#ECYSASTAYHOME and #ECYSA2020). We will also remind all of our members about the resources being provided by MA Youth Soccer and US Youth Soccer (www.usyouthsoccer.org).
The weather is getting warmer and the sun is shining longer each and every day. We encourage you to stay in touch with your families and to engage your players in soccer activities in any way you can. We are hopeful that we will find our way back to the soccer fields this spring. In the meantime, please let us know if you have any questions or if we can assist you in any way.
Stay Healthy,
Dean Sidell
President, ECYSA
Important Dates/notes for Spring 2020
- Friday, March 13, 2020 Submit roster changes to have up-to-date rosters available at the coach's meetings
- CANCELED North Shore coaches meeting at the Black Swan Country Club - 7:00PM [was Wed., March 18, 2020]
- CANCELED Northeast coaches meeting at the Black Swan Country Club - 7:00PM [was Tue., March 24, 2020]
- TBD Spring season starts (G4-G8) [originally scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 2020]
- TBD Spring season starts for (G11-GPG)
- TBD Last date for transfers is the Wednesday before your team's third scheduled game
- TBD Roster Freeze Date for MTOC
- June 13 G4 Jamboree - Kennedy Fields, 83 Pine Street, Peabody
- June 14 - 21, 2020 ECYSA Championship Tournament
- June 26 - 28, 2020 Massachusetts Tournament of Champions
