2/24/2021

--------- Send by email on 5/24/2021 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WSC families -- 

Thank you for participating in our spring league.  I would like to especially thank our volunteer coaches.  You are the most important people in making this league run well. The season could not have happened without you. 

Here are a few more tidbits of information as we look forward to fall soccer.

Covid 

I consider our Covid program to have been largely successful.  Masking and distancing rules were mostly followed by players, coaches and spectators.  There were 11 cases in the league of a player being either positive or exposed,  but as far as we know, no one was infected by playing soccer. 

We don't know what the COVID rules will look like for fall.  At this point we simply wait and see what changes will be made by OHA and THPRD.

Fall Registration

Registration is now open for Fall 2021 recreational soccer on our website at www.westsidesoccerclub.com.  Any changes we made to game rules, team sizes, etc. we expect to return to normal for this fall's league.  As I said above, covid rules for fall are not yet known.

Volunteer opportunities

We depend greatly on volunteers to do what is needed so that kids can play soccer.  The Westside board is currently in need of several new volunteers.  Open positions are:

  • Director of coaching -- Serves as a resource to new coaches.  Plans twice yearly coaching clinics.  Helps resolve any issues with coaches in the club.  Someone who has already been a coach in the club would be best for this role.
  • Equipment manager -- Orders new equipment as needed.  Distributes equipment bags to new coaches and provides replacement items as needed.
  • Kinder girls, Kinder boys, 2nd grade girls, 4th grade girls and 5th grade boys age group coordinators -- Form the teams and recruit coaches for your age group.  Time commitment is small and mostly happens within a 2-3 week window prior to each season.  In this role you "move up" a grade each year so that you are organizing the same group of players and coaches as they get older.

Primary thing we are looking for in people to fill these positions is that you can work well with other people.  Please contact me directly if you are interested in any of these roles.  If you want to volunteer on the board, but aren't interested in these specific roles, please contact me.  Applicants must be approved by a vote of the full board.

Photos for website

We are looking for recent photos of kids in Westside uniforms to put on our website.  Please send to me if you have one that you think is good.  By submitting, you are giving permission for the photo to appear on the website.

Thanks for playing soccer and have a great summer. 

Westside Soccer Board

 

---------- Sent via email on 5/20/2021 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spring Rec Soccer Coaches and Families --

THPRD has just made the following announcement on their webpage:

ALERT: Face Covering Update for Outdoors:  Effective immediately, face coverings are not required to be worn OUTDOORS on THPRD property.  Face coverings are also not required by THPRD to be worn when playing or viewing outdoor sports. However, user groups are authorized to set greater restrictions for their participants.  Per state guidance, face coverings are still strongly recommended for unvaccinated or vulnerable populations.   At this time, we are not making any changes to our INDOOR policy.  We expect to be able to announce changes soon as we work through details.

What this means for the WSC spring soccer league:

  • Face coverings are no longer required for players and referees on the field.  Anyone who wants to wear a face covering is welcome to do so.  Per the THPRD message, face coverings are still strongly recommended for unvaccinated individuals (which is virtually all of our players), but each family gets to chose for themselves.
  • Face coverings are not required for spectators, but OHA says that you should wear a mask and maintain distance between households unless everyone in a group of people is fully vaccinated.  (Here is the exact text from OHA: "OHA strongly recommends that individuals who are unvaccinated or who are at risk for severe COVID-19 disease continue to wear a mask, face covering or face shield when in outdoor crowded areas and in outdoor large gatherings of individuals and maintain physical distancing.")
  • Westside soccer strongly encourages coaches and players on the sidelines to wear a face covering.  Coaches, remember that you are in the presence of unvaccinated players on the sidelines.

Coaches and Covid Monitors --  The pre-practice and pre-game health checks are still required.  In fact, they are even more important now that players are allowed to not wear a mask when they are on the field.  Please pay extra attention to making sure that everyone is healthy before they take the field.

Covid monitors are still required.  Coaches, please make sure that your Covid monitor at the field is aware of these changes. 

My request to everyone this Saturday is to be respectful of other people, keep your distance from other households unless you know they are vaccinated, and cheer for the kids playing soccer.

Thanks.  -- Westside Soccer Board

----------- Sent via email on 5/2/2021 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WSC spring soccer families --

We are now through 5 weeks of the season.  Teams will have 2 or 3 games left at this point.  I have been to many fields and see lots of kids having a great time playing soccer.   That's the good news.

The bad news is that we are seeing too much inappropriate behavior.  So far this season, there have been 4 games where the kid's enjoyment of playing soccer was significantly affected by the actions of the parents and coaches.

  • A 6th grade game where the referee terminated the match early due to repeated loud complaints from parents and coaches.  At a prior game, it was reported that parents were shouting obscenities at the opposing players. 
  • A 4th grade game where the referee terminated the match early due to repeated loud complaints from parents and coaches.
  • A 3rd grade game where the coaches were arguing with each other across the field and had a postgame confrontation in the parking lot.
  • A 2nd grade game that was ended early by the referee because of verbal abuse from coaches.  

I know that most parents and coaches use positive comments and are respectful to referees.  We need ALL parents and coaches to use positive comments and be respectful to referees.  The referees will never be perfect, but they will do the job to the best of their ability. 

COVID stuff

We are doing well.  I see very good compliance to the masking and social distancing requirements at the fields I have been to.  Please keep it up.

Every team is required to provide a COVID monitor for every practice and every game.  I met one coach this weekend who thought the league was providing COVID monitors.  That was true only for the 1st week of the season.  Teams need to provide an asst coach or parent to be the COVID monitor.

Coaches -- Remember that no one should start playing soccer until the COVID monitor is identified and the health checks are complete.  

As I'm sure everyone knows, the case rates in Washington County are much higher now than they were 2 months ago.  It is possible that Washington County will be put back into "Extreme High Risk," and there may be some changes to league policies for spectators.  I'll let you know if that happens.

Thanks for reading and have fun with soccer. 

----------- Sent Via email 4/20/2021 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Westside Soccer Coaches and families --

We have now played 3 games for most teams (2 games for micro soccer) and the season is going well so far.

Just so everyone knows, there have been Covid issues within the league.  Some players have been exposed to Covid positive adults and some players have tested positive themselves.  We have dealt with those issues in accordance with the quarantine rules that were set up before the season.  Any family that was affected has already been notified.

My point in mentioning the Covid issues is that no one should let their guard down.  Our season depends on following the health and safety protocols closely at the soccer field and being as cautious as we can be in our personal affairs.

 

Parents: 

This past Saturday was our first game with spectators.  WSC board members visited several of the fields and we generally found good compliance with the masking and distancing requirements.  Please continue to wear your mask and spectate at games so you are at least 6 feet distant from other households.

Washington County may go to high risk on April 23, but we expect the 2 spectator per player limit to stay in place for the rest of the season.  I'll let you know if anything changes.

 

Covid Monitors:

We continue to require that every team has a covid monitor for every practice and every game.  Please continue your good work.  Most people are happy to comply if you approach them about masking or spacing.  

I know that the Covid Monitor checklist has a lot of items on it, but in the end there are 2 things we care about the most.  Masking and distancing between households.

 

Coaches:

Please continue to do the Health check forms at the start of every practice and game (or have your covid monitor do it) and send it to the covid19@westsidesoccerclub.com email right away.  Allowing only healthy people at soccer is our first line of defense.

Using cones on the sidelines is a great way to keep your players spaced apart when they are not playing.  If you need extra cones to accomplish this spacing, let me know.  

Hot days will be a little tougher on the players because of wearing a mask.  If your team needs a hydration break, please ask the referee.  The referees have also received email telling them to have hydration breaks on hot days.

There have been schedule changes for a few teams.  You will have been notified by Keith, but please also check your schedule on the THJSL website.

 

That's it for now.  Have fun at your practices and games and stay safe.

Karl Meyer

WSC president

------------ Sent via email on 4/13/2021 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Westside Soccer families --

The WSC spring recreational soccer league is now allowing 2 spectators per participant.  This policy applies to games for all clubs in THJSL.   For WSC teams, spectators at practice are allowed.

As we implement this new policy, starting Tuesday  April 13, the 4 pillars of our safety program remain unchanged:

1. Only completely healthy individuals attend soccer events.  Stay home if you are sick.

2. Everyone wears a face covering at all times, with no exceptions. 

3. Maintain social distance of at least 6 feet from people outside your household.  This rule applies as you walk to the field, as you watch the practice/game and as you return to your car.

4. Obey the spectator policy, which is now 2 spectators per player.   Spectators may only be in the designated area, away from the players and coaches.

There are also two new items that we need to observe:

5. Where portable restrooms are provided, participants (players, coaches, referees) must use the participant restroom and spectators must use the spectator restroom.  If there is only 1 restroom, then it is for the participants only.

6. THPRD has provided maps that show the spectator path to the field, the location of the spectator area, and the path away from the field.  Please use this link to find the map for your field.  http://schedules.compumetics.com/Spring2021/FieldUsageIndex.html

COVID monitors and THPRD staff will be at fields helping people to understand the requirements.  Please make their job easy by complying with all the above requirements.  Always wear your face covering and make the spacing from other households very obvious.

Parent volunteers as COVID monitors are critical to our success.  If you are able to volunteer, please notify your team’s head coach.

Two important things to know about the new policy:

1. This policy applies to THPRD fields only.  For games at Cook Park in Tigard, there are no restrictions on spectators outside the fence surrounding the fields.  I encourage everyone to wear a face covering and social distance, but COVID monitors will not be enforcing rules outside the fence.  Consult with the COVID monitor from the Tigard team to understand if spectators are allowed inside the fence.

2. The policy can change at any time.  If Washington County returns to high risk, the policy may change.

I would like everyone to take the attitude that their own child getting to play soccer depends on you following all the COVID rules.  Please wear a mask and social distance from other households.  Your own child’s season depends on it.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.  --  Westside Soccer Board

 

------------ Sent via email on 4/2/2021 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Westside soccer Parents --

Grade 2-Grade 8 games start on Saturday 4/3.  Here are some important reminders prior to the first game.

COVID safety is everyone's #1 priority.  Remember the key points of our COVID safety program:

  1. Only healthy players and coaches should attend games.  Please keep your child home if they are not feeling well.
  2. Everyone wear face coverings at all times.  Please send your child to the game with a properly fitting face covering and a backup.
  3. Everyone maintains 6 feet of space when not playing soccer.  Please wait for everyone from the previous game to clear out before the players and coaches enter the field area.
  4. Follow the no spectator policy.  Parents must stay at their car.
    • In case of an injury that requires a parent's attention, the coach can call the parent's cell phone and the parent may enter the field.
    • Parents please make sure the coach knows of any important medical conditions for your child.

COVID monitors -- Some of you will be called on to be a COVID monitor at your child's game.  Please follow the instructions on the COVID monitor checklist.

 

One more thing.  I know the kids love post game snacks, but we need to ask you to not do them this season.  Players can bring their own snacks if needed.

Following these rules is how we keep our community healthy and how we keep our league running this spring.  Please do your part to support the kids by following all the COVID protocols.  Have a great season.

Karl Meyer

President, WSC

------------ Send via email on 4/2/2021 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Westside coaches --

G2-G8 games start on Saturday 4/3.  Here are a few important pieces of information prior to the first game.

1. COVID safety is everyone's #1 priority.  We have been doing a good job so far this week in practices, let's keep it up.

  • Everyone wear face coverings at all times
  • Keep people spaced apart when not playing soccer.  Using cones to mark where players put their gear works great.
  • Follow the no spectator policy.  Parents must stay at their car.
  • Fill out the health check form and email to covid19@westsidesoccerclub.com.  Please make sure to include the name of the covid monitor.  That name was not included in many of the forms from practice.
  • Please NO team post-game snacks

2. COVID monitors -- If we do not have a COVID Monitor then the game cannot be played A few games will have a referee that will act as COVID monitor.  Most will not.  If you do not have a referee COVID monitor, then proceed as follows.

  • Find a parent volunteer to be a COVID Monitor for the game. Preferably you have a parent who has already done this task at practice.  Please send email to your parents today and arrange ahead of time for a parent COVID monitor since you will probably need it.
  • If a parent cannot be found, then one of the coaches will take over the COVID Monitor responsibilities.  If a coach is covid monitor, they must be released from all coaching responsibilities.  You cannot be both a coach and a COVID monitor.
  • If no parent or coach is willing, then the game referee becomes the COVID monitor. One of the coaches will have to be the referee for the game.  (For 2nd grade games, there is no assigned game referee, so this option does not exist.)

As always, please be very respectful of referees.  Just like the players haven't played soccer in more than a year, many of the referees are new or have not refereed in more than a year.  

That's it.  If you have any issues, please use the emergency phone numbers on the COVID monitor sheet.

Karl Meyer

President, WSC

------------  Sent via email 3/25/2021  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Westside Soccer families and coaches:

It's been a long wait, but our spring season starts for G2-G8 with practices on Monday 3/29, and then the GK and G1 kids 1 week later.

For the upcoming 2021 spring soccer season, our #1 priority is to take all reasonable precautions to keep everyone safe and healthy.  In this message, I will describe in more detail our 4 primary methods of achieving that goal.  We will rely on COVID monitors at every game and practice to make sure we are following these rules.

1. Only HEALTHY individuals attend soccer practices and games.

  • Players, coaches, COVID monitors and referees are expected to stay home if they are not feeling well.
  • If any player becomes ill during a practice or game, the coach should immediately call the parent to pick the player up.
  • All participants should take their temperature at home before the practice or game. Stay home if the temperature is 100.4 or greater.
  • Head coaches will ask assistant coaches and players 5 screening questions at the start of every practice and game. Anyone who answers YES to any of the questions may not participate.  The player does not need to know their temperature.  They just need to say YES or NO to the question of having a fever.  The questions are:
    • Are you currently sick?
    • Any fever of 100.4 or greater in the last 8 hours?
    • Do you have a new or worsening cough?
    • Do you have shortness of breath?
    • Have you had close contact with anyone who has COVID-19?

2. Everyone wears a properly fitting face covering at all times.

  • OHA defines a face covering as “a cloth, polypropylene, paper or other face covering that covers the nose and the mouth and that rests snugly above the nose, below the mouth, and on the sides of the face.”
  • Players, Coaches, Referees and COVID monitors must wear their face covering at all times. Players may remove only briefly to drink water. Referees will require players to sub out of the game if their face covering is repeatedly coming off their nose or mouth during play.  Players seen pulling their face covering off their face will be subject to verbal warnings and then cautions.
  • Parents please send your child to the practice or game with 2-3 face coverings so that they have backups if needed.
  • Coaches are responsible for making sure that their players have a secure face covering. Referees will warn or caution coaches who pull their face covering off during a game.
  • Referees are strongly encouraged to use electronic whistles. Referees who use traditional whistles may pull their face covering down briefly to blow the whistle. 
  • COVID monitors at the field are tasked with making sure that everyone is wearing a face covering.

3. Players, coaches and referees follow social distancing requirement of staying 6 feet apart from other people when not playing in the practice or game.

  • Players arriving at field place gear on sideline at least 6 feet apart. There will be no team bench so players should bring their own camp chair if they want a place to sit.
  • No gathering in groups before/during/after the practice or game.
  • Stay off the field until prior teams have left. At the end of your practice or game, leave the field quickly if another group is waiting.
  • Coaches stay 6 feet from others at all times. Exception when attending to an injured player.

4. Obey THPRD no spectator policy and field limit of 75 people.

  • Players, coaches, referees and COVID monitors are the only people allowed at the field.
  • All parents who stay at the game or practice site must remain AT THEIR CAR. Only exception is if the coach calls the parent to attend to a sick or injured player. (At some locations you may be able to see the game while sitting inside or standing next to your car.  This is allowed, but please wear a face covering and maintain 6 feet of space from the people parked near you.)
  • Covid monitor is the person who will enforce the no spectator rule.
  • If parents attempt to enter the field area to see the practice or game, the Covid monitor will ask them to return to their car. If the parent persists, the practice or game will be stopped until they comply.  If they refuse to comply, the practice or game will be terminated.

I know that everyone is disappointed that spectators are not allowed.  This decision comes from THPRD and we have to comply with it to be able to use the fields.

If you have a positive COVID test within your household, or your player has close contact with a Covid positive person, please notify Westside Soccer Club immediately at COVID19@westsidesoccerclub.com.  We may need to cancel games or practices.  Your privacy will be respected.

If you have a non-urgent COVID issue you want to report to the club, please send an email to COVID19@westsidesoccerclub.com.

If you observe an urgent COVID issue at a practice or game, please contact the Covid Monitor at the field.  If they are unable to resolve the issue, they have an emergency contact number.

Thanks very much for playing soccer this spring.  Have a great season and stay well.

Karl Meyer

President, Westside Soccer

------------  Sent via email 3/11/2021  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello Westside Soccer Families --

Thank you for registering for the spring 2021 season.  We are all happy to be getting back to playing soccer, although this season will be a bit different.  Below is quite a bit of information about our Spring season.  Please read it carefully.

COVID health and safety

Keeping our families, players, coaches and referees healthy is the #1 priority this season.  We all must follow the COVID rules or we risk infecting people and shutting down the league.

The 4 pillars of our safety plan are:

  1. Only healthy people attend soccer events.
  2. Everyone wears a face covering at all times.
  3. Maintain 6 feet separation except when playing soccer.
  4. Respect the no spectator policy and the THPRD limits for number of people at a field. (THPRD may change spectator policy based on Wash Co. risk level.  We will know by April 3.)

There must be a COVID monitor at every practice and every game.  Some of you may be asked to fill this role for practices.  For games, there will be a referee who will serve as Covid monitor.  The Covid monitor will enforce the Covid rules at the game or practice site.

We will take violations of the COVID protocols very seriously.  Teams or individuals may be subject to 14 day suspensions or removal from the league for not following the rules.

If you have concerns about leaving your child at the field without you personally being present, then I encourage you to become a coach.  We allow up to 4 coaches per team for practices, 3 coaches per team for games.

I will send out an additional detailed note on COVID procedures prior to the first practice.  You can also see the COVID-19 page on our website for more detail.

 

Team Rosters

Almost all teams now have an approved head coach.  Rosters have been released to those coaches and they should be in touch with families.

 

Practices

G2 - G8: Practices begin the week of March 29.  They are scheduled Monday through Thursday at either 5 pm or 6:45 pm.  Each team will have 1 practice per week.  Your coach will communicate the practice schedule and location to you.

GK-G1: practices begin one week later

 

Games

Games for G2-G8 begin on Saturday April 3 and go through Saturday May 22.

Games for GK andG1 begin on Saturday April 10 and go through Saturday May 22.  The game schedules will be at www.thjsl.org when they are released.

 

Uniforms

Grade-K and Grade-1 jerseys are provided by the coach.  Grade-2 through Grade-8 wear the Red/Blue Uniform kit that can be purchased at Tursi's.  See our website for their address.

If you are planning to use your old uniform (which is totally OK), please make sure you have your kids try it on well ahead of the first game.  It's been 1.5 years since we had games.

Please also make sure your child has a soccer ball and shin guards.

 

Communications

We are using a new registration and communication platform starting this season called Demosphere/TeamNet.  TeamNet is a tool that coaches and parents can use to communicate with each other.

On your computer, go to www.teamnet.org.  Use the same email and password as when you register.  It will only contain information after the teams are released.

On your phone, download the demosphere app.  It is free.  Use the same email and password as when you register.

Jewelry Policy

Jewelry--No earrings, piercings, watches, rings, necklaces, bracelets, wristbands, or hard casts may be worn during practice or game play. Hair bands, if used, must be elastic. Other articles that may be considered by the referee or coach to endanger either the wearer or other players must also be removed. Religious/medical bracelets and necklaces are not considered "jewelry" but must be taped to the body to the satisfaction of the referee. Failure to obey the referee will automatically disqualify the player from participation until the referee determines the hazard has been resolved. FIFA Law 4--The Player's Equipment states under safety: "A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself/herself or another player (including any kind of jewelry)."

That's it for now.  See you on the field!

Karl Meyer

President, Westside Soccer Club

-----------  Sent via email 2/24/2021  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear WSC Families,

We have confirmation from THPRD that fields will be ready for us to start practice for Spring Season!

The deadline for regular registration is tomorrow, Thursday, February 25. When regular registration closes, the system will be shut down to allow us to apply registration fees to those who have registered.

Fees will be applied on Friday, February 26. At that time, you will receive a system generated message to alert you to the fee and will contain a link to submit payment. You will also be able to make payment through the regular registration link on our website. Please submit payment no later than Thursday, March 4. If payment is not received by March 4, those registrations may be subject to a late fee and team placement will be on a space available basis only. Note: our office hours are Monday and Thursday, 10 am - 2pm. Voicemails and emails received during these hours will be returned that same day, but messages received after hours will have a delayed response. If you have questions during the checkout process, please email the office at westsidesoccerinfo@gmail.com.

As we get ready to apply registration fees to accounts and begin accepting payments, we wanted to update you on how the season is currently looking. Please note that some details may change, but we believe this is most likely the way the season will run:

· Practices begin March 29

· Games begin April 3

· Each team will have one practice per week and one Saturday game for 7 weeks, with the season ending for most on May 15, and final games (for those with a bye week) on May 22

· To accommodate COVID restrictions and reduced registration sizes, some grades will need to be combined, and some teams will play with fewer players on the field:

Grade Level

Game Format

Max Team Size

Referee Information

GK/G1

3v3

6

Coaches Ref

G2

4v4

6

Coaches Ref

G3

7v7

12

Center Ref Only

G4

7v7

12

Center Ref Only

G5

9v9

16

Center Ref Only

G6

9v9

16

Center Ref Only

G7/G8 (combined)

9v9

16

Center Ref Only

*bold indicates a change from normal

It is important to note that all of this, especially the start and end dates of the season, depend on fields being prepared for play. This may result in a delay to the start of the season. If the season start is delayed, there is no guarantee we will be able to extend the season to the full 7 weeks.

Please note that once payment is submitted, our regular refund policy applies. You may cancel your registration prior to submitting payment for no penalty.

Other things to note about the season:

· All players/coaches/refs must wear face coverings at all times while on the field/sidelines.

· Parents/spectators are NOT allowed per current THPRD rules.

· Return to Play guidelines and restrictions will be posted prior to the start of the season. All players, parents, coaches, and club representatives will be expected to adhere to posted guidelines and restrictions.

· All practices and games will have a COVID monitor. The COVID monitor will ensure all COVID guidelines are followed and have the power to shut down a practice or game if requirements are not met.

Thank you for reading. We hope to see you on the field soon!

WSC Board