March 23, 2020
Dear Members:
Please be advised that Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, has announced an Executive Order on temporary restrictions on the use of places of public accommodation (
No. 2020-20
) and a ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ Executive Order (
No. 2020-21
). These orders are intended to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), protect public health, and provide essential protections to the most vulnerable. The orders are in effect for the next three (3) weeks. In addition, all Michigan K-12 school buildings, public, private, and boarding, are now closed to students through April 13, 2020.
As such, the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) has suspended all of our soccer activities*, all MSYSA sanctioned tournaments, and all MSYSA affiliated activities through Monday, April 13, 2020. ‘MSYSA affiliated activities’ includes scheduled games, team practice/training sessions, or sponsored activities that are under the direct supervision of a team official; or sanctioned local or national tournaments as a member of a contestant team (e.g., any activity that MSYSA sanctions and insures).
*MSYSA (
state-run
) soccer activities suspended through Monday, April 13, 2020 include:
·
MSYSA State Cup
·
MSYSA Junior State Cup
·
MSYSA Director’s Academy
·
Michigan State Premier Soccer Program (MSPSP)
·
MSYSA Olympic Development Program (ODP)
·
MSYSA Olympic Development Program 101
·
MSYSA Coach Education Courses
What’s the path forward with respect to the spring soccer season?
The answer is not known at this time. It’s difficult to predict when things will return to ‘normal’. However, MSYSA will work with our direct member organizations (e.g., clubs & leagues) on delaying spring registration payments until April 25, 2020. With respect to MSYSA-run programs, MSYSA events, and MSYSA-run tournaments, MSYSA will provide the next update on or around April 1, 2020. MSYSA’s refund policies will be communicated, if/when there are cancellations. We encourage our affiliated clubs and leagues to do the same and we encourage parents/families to be patient and understanding during these unprecedented times.
When can teams/clubs, train, practice, scrimmage, play matches, etc.?
MSYSA will not affiliate, sanction, or insure soccer activities until it is deemed safe to return. For now, the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) has suspended all of our soccer activities*, all MSYSA sanctioned tournaments, and all MSYSA affiliated activities through Monday, April 13, 2020 (see above).
At this time, MSYSA does not know if US Youth Soccer’s Midwest Regional Championships or US Youth Soccer’s National Championships will be postponed. US Youth Soccer is planning to provide an update to State Associations on or around April 1, 2020.
MSYSA intends on conducting a teleconference call with club leaders, league presidents, and league delegates in the near future to provide an update and answer questions (this information will be communicated directly with those individuals).
Our main priority is the safety and well-being of our players, team officials, and referees. Governor Whitmer’s actions are aggressive because stopping the spread of COVID-19 is important. Thus, please do your part to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Future updates will be provided on our website and through our social media channels.
Sincerely,
Thomas Faro
Executive Director
