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Saskatchewan Soccer Association reveals Return to Soccer Plan

Four phases to see gradual and safe reintroduction of sport in the province
Girls soccer VCI AEP 1
Plans are underway for soccer to return to fields in the province as soon as the go-ahead is given.
Whether COVID-19 likes it or not, the day is coming when hundreds of youngsters from all over the city will be descending on local soccer fields, ready to once again take up one of the most popular sports in the province.

And the Saskatchewan Soccer Association has begun to pave the way.

The SSA announced their Return to Soccer Plan on Wednesday, marking one of the first steps in seeing games back on local pitches all over Moose Jaw.

As with every sport, everything revolves around the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, of which we’re currently in Phase 3 and seeing athletic training facilities open up as well as parks and beaches.

That means Phase 1 of the SSA’s Return to Soccer could be taking place in the near future, if not immediately – social distancing measures of two metres must remain in place, with no contact allowed; technical-based activities that don’t require opposition and allow coaches to maintain physical distancing can be used, such as ball mastery, passing and receiving on the ground between players and other events that always maintain six feet of distance.

Phase 2 continues the Return to Train format, where social distancing measures are relaxed enough to allow one vs. one and three vs. three activities. Recommendations include keeping players in groups together as opposed to mixing in order to prevent transmission by asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers.

Phase 3 for the SSA marks the first Return to Play and increased contact, requiring Phase 4 of Re-Open Saskatchewan to be fully underway. It will allow small game formats up to seven vs. seven, with the recommendation of keeping things in house and avoiding tournament-style play that will involve many groups of outside players.

Phase 4 is the removal of all social distancing measures and a return to full play.

Be sure to click here for a look at the comprehensive 17-page Saskatchewan Soccer Association Return to Soccer document, which lays out a wide range of scenarios and plans for coaches, players and parents.

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