Ontario Soccer, in consultation with Canada Soccer and governmental sport and public health advisors, continues to monitor the most recent developments surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Ontario Government announced last week that it is increasing the social gathering limits from 5 to 10 people and that it will be taking a regional approach, in their Stage 2 plan, for the re-opening of the economy.
Also included in this announcement was the directive that Outdoor Amateur Team Sports can begin “training” under Ontario Soccer Phase 1 in specific regions of the province. This directive took effect, Friday, June 12, 2020.
At the time, it announced the Public health unit regions which were allowed to move into Stage 2 as of Friday, June 12.
The Province of Ontario has now added to their Stage 2, seven (7) new Public Health Unit Regions as of June 19, 2020 shown in bold below (with applicable District Soccer Association inserted):
The following regions will remain in Stage 1 of the provincial plan until it is safe to move into Stage 2:
The above regions and District Soccer Associations have not been approved as of yet to commence with Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play “Phase 1 Training”.
Ontario Soccer is mirroring the Government of Ontario regional approach for the restart to sports this summer, with 31 Public Health Units now cleared to move to Stage 2 of the government’s plans.
Please be advised of the following critical sport specific steps that your organization must now take to begin Return to Play and the directives from Ontario Soccer, in alignment with Canada Soccer on soccer’s implementation plan.
Please be advised of the following critical sport specific steps that your organization must now take to begin Return to Play and the directives from Ontario Soccer, in alignment with Canada Soccer on soccer’s implementation plan.
The Canada Soccer Online Risk Assessment Tool was sent directly to Club and Ontario Registered Academy Administrators last week. If you believe your Club or Academy Administrator has not received the Online Risk Assessment Tool, please contact Patty Forbes, Director, Administrator.
The Ontario Soccer Return to Play Guide/Plan consists of a three-phase approach that includes:
Phase 1: Return to Training (modified training)
Conditions: All Phase 1 Return to Train conditions are met
Restrictions: No contact, no league, exhibition, festival or tournament games
Phase 2: Return to Training and Modified Games (enhanced training & modified games)
Conditions: All Phase 2 Return to Train conditions are met
Inter-squad and Intra-squad modified games permitted (only within the Club/Academy)
Restrictions: No league, exhibition, festival or tournament games
Phase 3: Return to Soccer (regular competition, games and training)
Conditions: Social distancing restrictions have been lifted
Restrictions: None
The phases outlined above apply equally to all recreational, competitive and high performance level soccer.
Note: Ontario Soccer will determine timelines for each Phase in alignment with the Province of Ontario provincial health authorities involving government orders, restrictions and guidelines. This will be communicated via future Action Bulletins when applicable.
Return to Play Education Webinars for Ontario Soccer membership will be scheduled starting the week of June 22, 2020. It will include a 30-minute presentation on the Return to Play Guide and 30 minutes for questions and answers. Please look for upcoming Information Bulletins with further details. Pre-registration will be required.
If your membership has further questions, please refer them to the latest bulletin, the COVID-19 Updates page, which has all the latest information from Ontario Soccer, as well as resources for your members to better inform themselves. As well, please consider placing a dedicated link to the COVID-19 Updates on the homepage on your website.
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If you have any questions, please contact Patty Forbes, Director of Administration.
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