Hello AYSO Hollywood Families,

We hope this email finds everyone safe & healthy. Under normal circumstances at this time of year, we would be getting ready to kick off our Fall Season, but, due to public health orders, we have been in a bit of a holding pattern. We are emailing everyone here with an update on the AYSO soccer season.

Just to summarize where we stand...when we shut down in March, AYSO went to work on a  “Return to Play’ strategy to prepare for the time when we could get our kids back on the field SAFELY under the guidance of our federal, state & local authorities. I think most of us were cautiously optimistic until the post-Memorial Day spike hit. Notwithstanding the setbacks, we had remained committed to get back to the field even if the season start was postponed. As many sports programs from high school & college have since cancelled, hopes are fading.

To update where we stand now...we have not received any word from LAUSD or the City of LA Parks & Recreation if and when we will be able to receive field permits. Additionally, State & LA County have issued guidelines on what would & would not be permitted should we get back on the field this Fall. At this time, we will outline what to expect from the Fall “season” should we be fortunate enough to get back out on the field before the end of the year. 

First of all and very key to point out...in compliance with public health, there will be no scrimmages or games...this rule applies at least until the end of this calendar year. Surely a disappointment for everyone, but we still are hopeful that we can start the process of getting back to “normal” with a soccer program.

We have consulted with some recommendations from AYSO national and would include these focus points

• Weekly skills training and conditioning.

• Players will be broken up into smaller stable groups (or “cohorts” as referred to by CA Public Health in their guidelines for schools, daycare & youth sports).

• Players will maintain social distancing on the field (greater distances for activities involving physical exertion).

• No sharing of equipment...players will need to bring their own ball & water bottle.

• All staff, volunteer and paid, as well as children and families will be required to wear a face covering at all times.

• Limited number of people will be allowed at the fields so as to maintain safe social distancing.

• Player drop-offs will involve safety check-in with temperature check.

• "Car line” pick-up for players at the end of each session pick-up

NOTE: For those of you who have already registered for our Fall 2020 program, we will maintain your registration as active and give you priority for if/when we can safely resume. If you end up deciding that you do not wish to participate this Fall, you can opt to apply towards our Spring 2021 season or request a refund. Also, any credits applied for players from the 2019 Spring League will be rolled over to 2021 Spring League (if those families choose not to participate in the Fall program).

We will update everyone as information becomes available. Should we get signs that permits will be issued & can give more concrete start dates, we will extend open registration so that everyone, who is interested, has an opportunity to participate. As always, we will need VOLUNTEERS to help run the program...training will be mandatory. Obviously, if things don’t change in the next month or two, we may have refocus on a return in Spring.

Thank you for your understanding. Our AYSO 78 Hollywood soccer has been a tradition since 1976 and, with family volunteerism at its core, we have a tremendous community which is so important these days. We all look forward to getting through this and appreciate your support..

Regards,

AYSO 78 Board