Flag Football families,

After much discussion and consideration, the Stewartville Youth Athletic Association (SYAA) is excited to provide a flag football season this year. To do so, we need everyone to help keep this a safe and healthy environment for all. We ask that families review and follow the following guidelines so SYAA can continue to provide opportunities for our youth to learn and play sports in Stewartville. Yes, the season may look and feel different, but it will take everyone’s effort and support to ensure that our youth have a chance to play the game. The health and safety of our athletes, and volunteers remain our highest priority.

We understand our community values flag football and our other sports as essential to our players' physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Our goal is to keep everyone in our community as safe as possible, so it is vitally important that everyone follows the guidelines agreed upon by our SYAA board at the August meeting. These guidelines and best practices are intended for use prior, during, and after our season. This document does not replace the advice or direction of medical professionals. The risk of infection still exists.

Parent Responsibilities:

• Ensure your child is healthy and check your child's temperature before arriving to practices and games. If your child has any symptoms consistent with possible COVID infection, they should not attend.
• If your child is sick, symptomatic or not well, stay home.
• Have a pair of gloves (football, batting or any other) for your player
• Arrive at the game or practice no more than 5 – 10 minutes ahead of time.
• Leave the field and area as soon as possible.
• Adhere to social distance requirements.
• Wearing a mask outside your car is suggested (remember MDH guidelines).
• Limit those attending to immediate family or household.
• Do not bring snacks to be handed out to the players/teams after games.
• Ensure the child's clothing is washed after each practice and game.
• Ensure all equipment (cleats, ball, flags, etc.) are sanitized before and after the each practice and game.
• Notify your coach and the SYAA board immediately if your child becomes ill for any reason.
• Do not assist your coach with the equipment before or after games.
• First aid kits are provided and parents are recommended and encouraged to assist the coaches with any injuries and take charge of bandaging during games or practices. Reminder most teams may only have one coach per team.
• Be sure your child has the necessary sanitizing products with them during the each practice and game.
• Be patient with the changes and efforts and help encourage others to follow the guidelines as well.

Player Responsibilities:

• Bring your own water bottles.
• No spitting.
• Mouth guards remain in the mouth as much as possible.
• No tackling or unnecessary contact.
  • 1st offense (Season) – Player is warned
  • 2nd offense (Season) – Asked to leave for the rest of the day
  • 3rd offense (Season) – The player will not be allowed to play for the rest of the season
• Gloves are to be worn during practices and games. These can be any type of gloves (preferred that they are not the latex or nitrile medical gloves)
• Wash hands thoroughly before and after games.
• Bring and use hand sanitizer for use each game. Hand sanitizer will also be available from SYAA.
• Wear masks before and immediately after each game and practice.
• Do not touch or share anyone else's equipment, water, flags (while not playing), etc.
• Practice social distancing. Place bags and equipment at least 6 feet apart.
• There will be no physical group celebrations, high-5s, hugs, handshakes, fist-bumps, etc.

Measures that SYAA is putting in place:

• Spraying and wiping the footballs with a disinfecting solution as much as possible.
• Wiping the flags during halftime and any other time (timeouts, breaks, etc.).
• No benches.
• Smaller teams.
• Any items left at the fields after games or practices will be discarded (no lost and found).
• Providing hand sanitizer for teams/players.
• Working to space fields in a safe manner.
• Increased time between games to allow for clearing of families and minimize contact.

Families, please review this with your players to help keep this a healthy season. We also ask that you remind players to cover their coughs and sneezes with the inside of the elbow and if they do not feel well to talk to a parent or guardian about it as soon as possible.

Anyone who is sick or who has been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 – including players, family members, coaches and spectators – should not attend practices or games. Be on the lookout for symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Call your doctor if you think you or a family member is sick. If someone does become ill during practice or a game, have plans in place to isolate and transport that person to their home or healthcare facility.

SYAA may cancel games or the season with little to no warning due to infections or guidance from the City of Stewartville or the Olmsted County Department of Public Health. The board will work to provide as much warning as possible in these cases.

SYAA is also allowing families to opt out prior to the first week of play. Families will receive a voucher/coupon code for a future registration if they choose to opt out. After the first week of games, the voucher/coupon code will not be provided if a family chooses to opt out. Please let the board know if you wish to opt out of the season.

We look forward to seeing you. Now, let’s play! Thank you,

SYAA Board and Flag Football Managers
[email protected]