Ontario Soccer announced today that it will be kicking off Phase 2 of its Return to Play plan, in approved parts of the province, starting this Friday. This comes as a result of the Government of Ontario’s recent announcement of its plan for Stage 3 for the regional re-opening of the economy, which will commence on Friday, July 17, 2020.
Ontario Soccer, after consultation with Government Ministry Authorities and Canada Soccer, has confirmed that the Ontario Soccer Return to Play Plan – Phase 2 will now commence for approved regions across the province.
“Ontario Soccer has been working closely with our National Governing Body and relevant Government Authorities to ensure that every possible precaution is being taken as we safely return our participants to the playing fields this summer and fall,” said Johnny Misley, Chief Executive Officer. “Our Return to Play plan includes a phased-in approach, along with protocols and recommendations for soccer organizations, coaches, match officials, parents and players. This next phase allows for modified competition within a Club or Academy to begin, which we know our athletes have been eagerly anticipating.”
The Ontario Soccer Return to Play – Phase 2 is outlined as follows:
Phase 2: Return to Training and Modified Games (enhanced training & modified games)
Conditions: All Phase 2 Return to Train conditions are met
Inter-squad modified games (only within the Club/Academy)
Restrictions: No league, exhibition, festival or tournament games
Ontario Soccer is determining the timelines for each Phase, in alignment with the Government of Ontario and regional health authorities, as well as any government orders, restrictions and guidelines.
The Ontario Soccer Return to Play Guide provides additional information on things such as: Equipment Safety, How to Provide a Safe and Clean Environment and Sample Training sessions that organizations can use as part of this new sporting landscape.
“As Ontario Soccer continues to Pitch In and Play ON! this summer, we want parents and families to feel assured that the Clubs and Academies in Ontario are taking the proper precautions and necessary steps to ensure the safety of all participants,” said Misley. “We look forward to seeing even more of our participants getting back to the sport they love this summer.”
The full Return to Play Guide can be found on the OntarioSoccer.net website.
Ontario Soccer is pleased to announce that Phase 2 of the Ontario Soccer Return to Play Plan will now commence for approved regions across the province.
According to the Government of Ontario, the following Public Health Unit regions can begin Phase 2 of Ontario Soccer’s Return to Play Plan:
- Algoma Public Health
- Brant County Health Unit
- Chatham-Kent Public Health
- Eastern Ontario Health Unit
- Grey Bruce Health Unit
- Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
- Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
- Huron Perth Public Health
- Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health
- Leeds Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit
- Middlesex-London Health Unit
- North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
- Northwestern Health Unit
- Ottawa Public Health
- Peterborough Public Health
- Porcupine Health Unit
- Public Health Sudbury & Districts
- Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services
- Renfrew County and District Health Unit
- Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit
- Southwestern Public Health
- Thunder Bay District Health Unit
- Timiskaming Health Unit
- Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
The following regions are not yet cleared to begin Phase 2 of the Ontario Soccer Return to Play Plan, as additional time is required by the Government of Ontario to assess and approved these Public Health Units:
- Durham Region Health Department
- Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
- Halton Region Public Health
- Hamilton Public Health Services
- Lambton Public Health
- Niagara Region Public Health
- Peel Public Health
- Toronto Public Health
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
- York Region Public Health
Districts, Clubs and Academies are responsible for determining which Public Health Unit their District boundaries reside.