CARSTAIRS - The return of team play during Stage 2 of the provincial reopening plan is very welcome news for local soccer players, coaches and volunteers alike, says Kristina Jacques.
The second-year president of Carstairs Minor Soccer Association (CMSA), Jacques says while skills training and practicing that started with Stage 1 were helpful, getting back to playing games is what everyone has really been looking forward to.
“We are back at it and the kids are all back on the fields,” said Jacques, who coaches U-7. “We’ve even got some sunshine. We are definitely pleased that the kids can be outside and be active.
“They are really missing that focus and direction that they get on a sports team. There are rules to follow and you have to respect your teammates. I know they get that in school, but these are skills they learn on the field.”
There are currently about 50 players registered with CMSA, from age five to 15. Games and practices are Monday to Thursday evenings at Tiny Lafleur Park.
Right now the local teams will be sticking close to home, she said.
“We haven’t organized anything with other teams,” she said. “We’ve been talking about some house league games with smaller groups for now, like four-on-four. The U-11 may be able to play eight-on-eight because we have two teams.”
The teams are mixed boys and girls this season, she said.
“We kept them mixed so we would have teams to play each other,” she said. “We thought that would be the best way to do that.”
Big Country Soccer, which oversees teams in Carstairs, Didsbury, Olds and elsewhere in the district, usually organizes games between towns, she said.
“We haven’t heard from them yet,” she said Friday. “They haven’t indicated if there are going to be year-end districts or tournaments. We are waiting for the information to trickle down.”
CMSA is always looking for volunteers, she said.
Minor soccer teams in other towns in the district have also started game play under Stage 2.
The Alberta Soccer Association issued guidelines on June 10 for competition and training under Stage 2, executive director Richard Adams told The Albertan.
Hygiene guidelines include no spitting, clearing of nasal passages, and a strong recommendation to limit handshakes, high-fives and chest bumps.
As well pre-game and post-game handshakes should be replaced by a walk by, socially distanced between the teams.
Masks are mandatory when not on the field of play if two-metre distancing cannot be maintained. Players may remove masks during active training and play but are encouraged to wear masks until they enter the field of play as well as entering and exiting the field and facility.
Coaches may remove masked while actively coaching if they maintain two-metre physical distancing from players, but must wear a mask if entering physical distancing space for brief interactions.
Physical distancing must be maintained at all times between all participants when not actively on the field of play.
All shared equipment must be cleaned and sanitized before and after each group training session or game.
Tournaments are allowed in Stage 2 for players 12 and over.
