SYSI Mandates Full Vaccination of Players Age 18 and Older & All Team Personnel

Good Afternoon Soccer Families, Players Age 18+ and Team Personnel,

Saskatoon Youth Soccer Inc. (SYSI) and its Associations have legal obligations to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect the health and safety of their participants, workers, volunteers, athletes, and stakeholders.

SYSI Vaccine Mandate:

• Mandate for Players Aged 18+ and All Team Personnel: On September 28, 2021, the SYSI Board of Directors approved a Proof of Vaccination Policy that requires all SYSI players who are 18 years of age as well as all Team Personnel (head coaches, assistant coaches, junior coaches, trainers, instructors, technical directors, gender reps, managers, and so on) to be fully vaccinated (i.e.: including the 14-day period after receiving their completed dose) by Tuesday October 12, 2021, or earlier. Players who are turning 18 during the season must be fully vaccinated (i.e.: including the 14-day period after receiving their completed dose) on or before turning 18 in order to continue playing. In order to alleviate additional administration on volunteers and to lessen the burden on the provincial testing system, SYSI has decided not to accept negative testing as an option for those who are not vaccinated.
  
  
• Mandate for SYSI/Zone Staff & Directors: On October 13, 2021, in alignment with SSA recommended policy, the SYSI Board approved a mandate for all SYSI staff and directors and our member Zone staff and directors to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or a negative Covid-19 test to participate in any in-person activity, organized and under the authority of the SYSI or our member Zones, including but not limited to camps, clinics, games, practices, try-out events, evaluations, promotional events, tournaments, competitions, and championships, in-person education sessions and meetings; effective November 15, 2021.
  
  
• Players Aged 17 and Under Exempt: On October 13, 2021, the SYSI Board determined that no further mandates [for players aged 12 to 17] are warranted at this time, due to current protocols our organization and league have implemented thus far. SYSI will be monitoring the situation on a regular basis and strongly recommend all athletes aged 12 to 17 become vaccinated as soon as possible.
  
  
• Spectators Aged 18+: Effective Friday October 22, Saskatoon Soccer Centre Inc. (SSCI) will be requiring spectators aged 18 and older to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative test along with a piece of government issued photo ID in order to access the Saskatoon Sports Centre (150 Nelson Road) and Saskatoon Kinsmen Henk Ruys Soccer Centre (219 Primrose Drive). Please allow for extra time prior to games or practices for this verification to occur. Parents and spectators are reminded they are not permitted to be on the field level for safety and security reasons. Only registered team personnel and players are permitted on the fields or through the field entrance doors. 
  
  
  

Accommodation for Vaccine Exemption:

If a person is unable to receive a vaccination due to a medical condition or other grounds protected by applicable provincial human rights legislation, the participants may seek approval from SYSI to attend without proof of vaccination through the below process:

1. Requests must be submitting in writing to executivedirector@saskatoonyouthsoccer.ca a minimum of two weeks before the start of the sanctioned activity.
2. The request must include documentation supporting the participant's position that they are exempted from receiving a COVID vaccination.
3. This process is a shared responsibility. All parties should cooperatively engage in the process, share information, including answering reasonable questions or provide information about relevant restrictions or limitations, and consider potential solutions.
4. SYSI may grant or refuse the request to attend a sanctioned activity without proof of vaccination. SYSI may also grant the request with conditions, such as masking, testing and social distancing.
5. The decision of SYSI is final.                                                       

Acceptable Documentation:
Acceptable documents serving as evidence of COVID-19 vaccination include:

• Individual COVID-19 vaccination record available through eHealth Saskatchewan’s individual MySaskHealthRecord accounts.
• Individual COVID-19 vaccination QR code available through eHealth Saskatchewan’s individual MySaskHealthRecord accounts.
• Immunization wallet card received at the time of vaccination from the Saskatchewan Health Authority or other Provincial health authority.
• COVID-19 immunization records from Saskatchewan (or other Provincial) Public Health.

Verification & Record Keeping:
Zones and Community Associations are to verify vaccination documentation for all team personnel and any players who are 18 years of age or who will be turning 18 years of age during the season. Once a vaccination status has been verified there is no further need for retention of such records.

Mask Mandate:
By mandating a proof of vaccination policy on youth players aged 18 and older this will result in our ability to remove the mask mandate on such players aged 18 and older while actively engaged on the pitch. Players who are unable to provide the proof of full vaccination will not be eligible to play until they do so. The mask mandate remains in effect for all Team Personnel at all times and all players while on the sidelines/bench regardless of providing proof of full vaccination.

Compliance:
Individuals who make false attestations about, or provide false documents related to, being vaccinated may be subject to disciplinary actions, up to and including permanent expulsion from SYSI.

The SYSI Board of Directors have implemented this policy in support of our continued efforts to provide a safe environment for our participants and we feel this policy will minimize the spread of COVID-19 which will help mitigate further restrictions and keep everyone on the pitch this season.

Please see below updated measures which will be in place for the indoor season.

1. Wellness & Hygiene
   • All participants self-monitor for symptoms, stay home if sick and seek a COVID-19 test. The Know Your Risk checklistcan help you with that personal assessment. People who are fully vaccinated are no longer considered a close contact.
   • All persons entering the facilities are to practice good hand hygiene before and after soccer activities and/or spectating. Wash your hands often or utilize hand sanitizer and exercise good cough and sneeze etiquette.
   • Sanitizer stations are available throughout the facilities. Everyone is encouraged to also bring their own for personal use.

2. Vaccinations
   • All SYSI Team Personnel including head coaches, assistant coaches, junior coaches, trainers, instructors, technical directors, gender reps, managers, and so on, in all U5 to U19 age groups are mandated by SYSI to provide proof of full vaccination prior to participate by October 12, 2021 (no negative test option). - updated Sept 29, 2021
   • Players age 18 or older playing within the SYSI League is mandated by SYSI to be fully vaccinated to participate by October 12, 2021 (no negative test option). - updated Sept 29, 2021
   • All SYSI staff and directors and our member Zone staff and directors to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or a negative Covid-19 test to participate in any in-person activity, organized and under the authority of the SYSI or our member Zones, including but not limited to camps, clinics, games, practices, try-out events, evaluations, promotional events, tournaments, competitions, and championships, in-person education sessions and meetings; effective November 15, 2021. - updated Oct 13, 2021.
   • Fully vaccinated participants are not considered close contacts and do not need to self-isolate unless they experience symptoms. - updated Sept 29, 2021
   • We strongly encourage all eligible players, referees, volunteers, parents, and spectators to be fully vaccinated as a show of care and concern for others.

3. Masks
   • Masks are required for all persons entering the soccer facilities for the exception of players or referees while on the pitch; masks remain an option during activity. All patrons must provide their own masks or purchase one at Guest Services for $1.
   • Team personnel within SYSI leagues will be required to wear a mask on-field.
   • All players will be required to wear a mask while on the sidelines or bench while not actively engaged in activity on field. - updated Sept 29, 2021

4. Social Distancing 
   • Teams will be encouraged to social distance on the sidelines and during breaks in play, are not to shake hands or give high-fives, and are not to share water bottles.
   • Physical distancing is encouraged within all areas of the facilities including, but not limited to, seating areas, main foyer, and mezzanine levels.

5. Facility Measures
   • Mask mandate to be adhered to by all entering facilities.
   • A vaccine mandate for spectators aged 18+ will required to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative test along with a piece of government issued photo ID in order to access the  Saskatoon Sports Centre and Saskatoon Kinsmen Henk Ruys Soccer Centre, effective Friday October 22, 2021.
   • Additional cleaning will occur in public and high traffic areas, washrooms, and mezzanine areas.
   • Saskatoon Soccer Centre Inc. (SSCI) is committed to providing a healthy sports environment. Our indoor facilities are equipped with mechanical ventilation systems designed to provide fresh air throughout the buildings.
   • Sanitizer stations are available throughout the facilities. Everyone is encouraged to also bring their own for personal use.
   • Dressing Rooms - Designated dressing rooms and showers are available no more than 30 minutes before game time. Absolutely no changing on the fields or in public areas. Please vacate dressing rooms post game within 20 minutes, or at the request of the SSCI Service Team.

We will continue to monitor the status of COVID-19 in our city, as well as the available options pertaining to your safety. The SYSI office remains closed to the public. We remain committed to our members and will continue to be available by phone and by email. We appreciate your understanding during this challenging period. Any questions can be directed to the SYSI at info@saskatoonyouthsoccer.ca or 306-975-3413 or you may contact your Zone or Community Association.

Sincerely,
Saskatoon Youth Soccer Inc.