Soccer teams could be competing by end of June

By RYAN MCCRACKEN on June 17, 2020.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken

It’ll look a little different, but soccer is planning a return to the local pitches by the end of the month.

Medicine Hat Soccer Association executive director Robert Cavicchia says the Alberta Soccer Association recently announced it will be moving into Phase 2 of its return-to-play plan on June 19 following the provincial government’s decision to roll out Stage 2 of its relaunch strategy – meaning cohorts of up to 50 can return to the field for training and competition.

That’s right, competition.

“Because of the news from the government of Alberta that was released last week, (the ASA) is actually jumping us into Phase 2, which allows us to actually have games, small-sized games,” said Cavicchia, adding MHSA plans to open registration in the next week, with programs for ages U4 and up beginning as early as June 29.

“There are a ton of guidelines and protocols that we must follow in order for us to have our programming start and continue, so there’s going to be a lot of work. We’re under a bit of pressure to get it out, but we want to take our time because we want to make sure that we get it right and we don’t have to go backwards.”

Competition also means up to 100 spectators will be allowed to come out and watch. While social distancing measures will still be enforced, it will be one of the first chances for Hatters to witness some live team sports in more than three months.

“In order for us to continue and have people or spectators at the games, we need to make sure they’re all following the proper rules and social distancing while they’re out there,” said Cavicchia. “It’s going to take the whole community, a big effort from everybody, to make sure we continue moving forward with soccer and hopefully get into the final stage which allows us no restrictions.”

Cavicchia – who also coaches the Medicine Hat College Rattlers men’s and women’s teams – added games won’t feature full-sized 11-player teams, as 50-person cohorts would have to incorporate coaches, volunteers and referees as well. Instead, he expects team sizes to sit at around seven or eight per side, and competition to take place on smaller pitches. But a smaller team comes with its own developmental benefits, as Cavicchia points out.

“The biggest thing would be having less time. In a smaller space you have less time on the ball, so you have to make quicker decisions. That helps. When you get out to the big pitch and you have a little more time it will make you a lot more aware and a lot easier to make passes and make good decisions,” he said. “Also, fewer players on the field means more opportunity for you to touch the ball, that’s also going to help with development … and there will be quick changes on and off the field.”

A list of return-to-play guidelines for players, parents, coaches and volunteers to follow – including the use of specific entry and pick-up points, and sanitization stations at each pitch – will be released when registration opens.

“If everybody just follows those guidelines, which we’ll be releasing with our registration, hopefully by the end of this week, then we’ll be OK and we’ll be able to operate,” said Cavicchia. “We appreciate everyone in the community’s patience and the excitement around us getting back, but we just need to make sure that we do it the right way.”

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