How Youth Soccer Has Changed During the Pandemic in New York
New York Soccer News: The youth soccer world has been impacted by the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and some changes are temporary and some will be permanent.
The Coronavirus COVID-19 has impacted youth sports all across America. In New York state, there 4 million children, according to the 2019 Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, and we know many of them love running around the pitch and playing soccer. The global pandemic has impacted youth soccer on many levels.
Read: CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 IMPACT ON SOCCER
The first way that youth soccer changed because of Covid-19 is the 2020 Spring Season was canceled. This was the first time in the five-decade history of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) that a season was canceled. Many of our friends died from Covid-19 including former ENYYSA President Steve LaRosa plus longtime referee assignors Nick Apostolides and Ron Clark last spring.
Soccer returned last summer with coaches, substitutes and some refs wearing masks. The opposing teams were on opposite sides of the field with post-game handshakes being discontinued although many teams walked toward their opponents after the game and applauded them instead.
Read: COME PLAY WITH ME! YOUTH SOCCER IS FOR ALL KIDS
Very little indoor soccer this winter because of concern regarding indoor transmission of the virus. The two sanctioned tournaments being played are at Coleman Day Camp in Merrick as it has invested in state-of-the-art ultraviolet air cleaners supported by HEPA filters that purifies the air in each of their buildings several times an hour.
One day, hopefully soon, the virus will be under control so mask-wearing will no longer be required. But some changes are probably here to stay.
Before the pandemic, our coach licensing and referee certification classes had added online learning and the online component has been expedited during the past year.
Meetings for clubs, leagues and referee associations are now being held over Zoom instead of in-person. Saving time and money plus being beneficial to the environment because of less travel, many groups will continue to host meetings over Zoom with some opting for in-person meetings on occasion after the pandemic is over as the personal touch remains important.
Eastern New York held two meetings each year, in February and August, at a central location, the DoubleTree Hilton in Nanuet. Our last meeting there was on Leap Day––February 29, 2020––and then things got really weird with the pandemic causing all of us to change our lives a couple of weeks after that.
While the number of infections, hospitalizations and deaths all remain way too high, these figures are down significantly since the start of 2021 and more people are being vaccinated. The volunteers of Eastern New York, like the rest of society, look forward to the day when we move on to a New and Better Normal.
Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association: With 100,000 youth soccer players–both boys and girls–and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) reaches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border.
