Soccer holds an important role in a child’s development, teaching valuable lessons and improving physical fitness. As the pandemic has disrupted every aspect of our daily lives, some questions come to mind including — is it safe for children to play soccer?
We the DC Way team believe that with the appropriate safety precautions children may participate in soccer programs. Our club has taken our players’ safety and well-being very seriously throughout this time. Since we began operating in June after the quarantine, we have had no player who tested positive for COVID-19 (as a result of our programs). But how did DC Way accomplish this? From the start, we have implemented several new protocols for children, coaches, and parents to stay safe. We continue to train our employees about the new procedures and order cleaning, first aid, and sanitation supplies to better serve your family.
Following the CDC’s and other local health authorities’ safety guidelines, we are currently making changes to our soccer programs and implementing extra precautions to exceed all mandated safety procedures. We have evaluated locations to identify the areas that will allow us to safely control the environment. More specifically, our team applies the following strategies below to create a safer environment and experience.
Players, coaches, and parents must wear a mask at all times. We practice social distancing of at least six feet as outlined by the CDC and local recommendations. All players fill out a questionnaire for COVID-19 symptoms and do a blood oxygenation check with a pulse oximeter before entering the field. We are taking temperatures of everyone, including staff, parents, and players, before entering the field.
During practice, we prioritize good hand hygiene — we wash our hands every 15-20 minutes and use hand sanitizer frequently. Sharing any equipment, water, or food is not allowed. Each player is responsible for bringing their own equipment such as a water bottle or soccer balls. We also avoid common actions such as celebratory hugs, shaking hands, and high fives. After each session, we clean and disinfect common surfaces and used equipment, including any balls we provide.
It is crucial to our club to stay safe and mindful of our community while playing soccer as we continue to adhere to strict guidelines. Thank you again for your support and loyalty. Our team is looking forward to providing you and your children with the best learning experience in all of Capitol Hill!