91原创 soccer players are back on the pitch.
After four months of enforced idleness, with only online training to break up the boredom, authorities began allowing practice sessions to be carried out beginning July 13.
Marcel Horn, president of , was jubilant.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so excited to be back live in the outdoors,鈥� Horn told the 91原创 Advance Times.
鈥淲here we had between 70-100 youth on any given Zoom session, it was a whole new level of excitement to see 40 players real-time per pitch at Willoughby, rotating out per the government approved safety plan,鈥� Horn commented.
He said the shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic was 鈥渂iggest test in our history鈥� for the club since it was established back in 1926.
鈥淲e had an action plan submitted in May and refreshed in June so we could be ready,鈥� Horn explained, with a stated goal of making the playing fields a 鈥渟afe haven for people to feel comfortable in.鈥�
Under Phase 1, a 鈥渞eturn to modified training,鈥� photos released by the club show multiple precautions, including disinfecting balls, taking player temperatures before a training session and maintaining a distance between players at practices.
鈥淲e take it very seriously,鈥� Horn said.
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While it鈥檚 not known 鈥渨hat fall programming will look like at this time,鈥� Horn announced the club is taking deposits.
鈥淲e have an obligation to assemble our team rosters and prepare for league play should phase 2 and 3 get the green light,鈥� Horn elaborated.
鈥淪occer requires a large amount of advance preparation for equipment, coaching and facilities coordination and as such, preregistration is required 鈥�
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Players with the club are also back on the field.
According to the club website, restrictions include staggered training times between groups 鈥渢o create a safe entry and exit strategy to avoid an overlap of players on the field.鈥�
Players are being told to wash their hands with disinfectant soap and water for at least 20 seconds before leaving home; to bring their own water bottle and hand sanitizer; and 鈥渁rrive in your cleats鈥� by changing into soccer apparel at home.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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