Thank you for your participation in the Lou Fusz Midwest Summer Invitational. Please read through this email in its entirety as it covers important information that your teams and families must know in order to participate and allow for the most safe, fun, and competitive environment for all of our players and teams.
First, we cannot overstate the importance of player safety during this event. This coming weekend is the first time teams will be getting back to playing competitive soccer in the state of Missouri, as well as across the majority of the country.
All eyes will be on us as St. Louis, as the state of Missouri, and as the youth soccer community. If we all work together in the spirit of the game and with the safety of all those involved as our highest priority, we can shine a positive light on this fight against the pandemic. We can be part of the solution showing that playing the 'beautiful game' can be done in a way that is socially responsible. Failure to execute the proper safety precautions this weekend, we potentially become the "straw that breaks the camel's back" tipping the scales in the direction of further delays to youth sports resumption this fall. We can either be part of the solution or part of the problem.
With everyone's help and attention we can bring soccer back to our lives and take a big step toward reaching 'normalcy'. Thank you in advance for your participation and cooperation. In addition to many procedures and efforts made behind, below is the list of Covid-19 safety guidelines pertaining to the weekend.
Precautionary Guidelines / Procedures
-All spectators are asked to wear a mask at all times while on site. This includes players and coaching staff while on the bench / post game. Masks do not need to be worn while on the field.
-All event staff will be wearing a mask at all times.
-Family members and friends are allowed on site to join us in supporting our young athletes provided they follow safety guidelines and procedures.
-Spectators must stay a minimum of 10 feet back from the field as well as 6 feet away from one another.
-Please maintain a 6 foot away from others policy throughout the park. Signage and staff will remind everyone of this throughout the event.
-No pets other than service animals allowed on site.
-No post game handshakes between teams / coaches. Sportsmanship is certainly encouraged in a socially distant fashion.
-Disinfectant spray and hand sanitizing spray will be provided at each team bench for each game. Coaches are asked to spray their team bench prior to their match kicking off and after their team has left the field. Additionally the provided hand sanitizing spray can be used by all players/coaching staff in the bench area.
-On each field an additional 10 minutes has been added between the end time of one match and the kick off time of the next match to allow teams/spectators to clear the area before the next group comes in. Please allow time and spacing for everyone to take their place in an orderly fashion.
-Teams must leave the benches immediately after the final whistle and may have their post game team talk away from the field while maintaining social distancing guidelines.
-Spectators must leave the field as quickly as possible following the final whistle and no spectators are allowed on the field between matches.
Additional information will be sent to all coaches and managers regarding game play and weather related rules.
Good luck to all teams. We are very happy to be part of your return to the field.
Thank you.
Tournament Committee
Lou Fusz Athletic