Spring Sports Are Back!

We're very encouraged by the constant flow of good news we're receiving.  Here are some of the highlights:

• Covid cases continue to rapidly decline. Nevada Health & Human Services Officials are reporting that our cases today are at the lowest levels since mid-September and should be much lower by April.  This is great news!
• The new Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine is expected to be FDA approved on Friday. 
• NIAA (the governing body of all high school sports across Nevada) announced last week that they will be playing sports soon across the state.
• CCSD Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara announced this afternoon that they will begin allowing schools to participate in athletics. 
• NCSAA received board approval and Nevada Department of Business approval in late January to run a Spring Season.

We are so excited for all of our student-athletes across Nevada who will be able to play sports again this Spring.  We wanted to reach out to ask any schools who may have previously decided not to play this Spring to reconsider.  We'd love to still have you join our Spring Season.  You still have plenty of time.  For reference we do not start playing games for another 45 days.  Furthermore, we won't have our first cross country meet for another 54 days.  We have plenty of time to put together a game plan for your school to have tryouts and play.  We're here to help!  

In addition, we want to make sure our staff is available to you and your staff to answer any questions you may have regarding returning to play, our protocols, or rules.  We'd be happy to do a zoom call with any school, staff, coaches, etc.  We're happy to go through everything start to finish.  We've done this already with about 20 schools. 
We kindly ask that you forward this to any appropriate administrators and staff members that were not included on this email.

TENTATIVE SOCCER & VOLLEYBALL DATES
Feb. 1 - March 18 Individualized Virtual Meetings with each school 
March 18  NCSAA Team Registration Deadline
March 26  National Sports ID & Roster Deadline
March 27  NCSAA Soccer & Volleyball Game Schedules Released
April 10  First Game
May 17-18 Makeup Games (for any games possibly cancelled due to covid/weather)
May 18 - 21 NCSAA Soccer (under the lights) & Volleyball Playoffs
May 22 Soccer Championship Games

UPDATED SOCCER & VOLLEYBALL FEE STRUCTURE
Schools will be charged $575 for all soccer and volleyball teams.  In the event we are forced to cancel the season for Covid-19 NCSAA will charge schools $125 for the first week and $90 for each game of the regular season thereafter.  NCSAA will credit host schools for actual games played as opposed to an hourly rate.  Those schools who have a credit on their account for Spring 2020 will automatically be applied to your Spring 2021 invoice.  Spring 21 Invoices will be emailed out towards the end of the Spring Season.  No money will be collected for Soccer, Volleyball, or Cross Country until later in the season to allow schools to get their monies together during this tough economic period.

REGISTERING YOUR SCHOOL FOR SOCCER & VOLLEYBALL
Registration will be open in early February (we will make an announcement). Each school will submit 1 online form for all of their teams.  You may change your mind, add, or drop teams as many times as you need up until the deadline without charge.  However, once the deadline passes your teams will appear on the game schedule and you will be billed the full amount -- even if you drop a team.  You don't have to submit names when registering your team -- just how many teams you will have.  It would be advantageous for you to have had all of your tryouts prior to March 19th though -- as the season will start a few weeks later. 

You can register on our webpage at https://www.ncsaasports.com/

NATIONAL SPORTS ID CHANGES
Every NCSAA Student-Athlete needs a verified National Sports ID to compete in any or all sports/activities including but not limited to Soccer, Cross Country, and Track.  Under the circumstances, we will NOT require a sports physical for the 2020-2021 School Year.  We will return to physicals next school year.  Returning players with a National Sports ID account from the 2019-2020 School Year will just need to update any outdated information in the system, sign the new waiver, and renew their fee.  New players will have to These changes should make it extremely easy for returning players to get re-verified quickly.
1.      Headshot Photo – Similar to a Driver’s License or Student ID Photo.  This should be a close-up, clearly lit photo that shows the student-athlete’s entire face and hair looking directly at the camera.  No hats. No sunglasses.  This can be a recent school photo or one simply taken from your cell phone.
2.      Scan of Birth Certificate, State ID, or Passport
3.      Proof of Grade – This can be your most recent report card, most recent School ID, school schedule showing your child’s grade, screen shot of Online Account (i.e. Infinite Campus) proving grade level, etc.
4.      E-Sign NCSAA Participant Waivers
5.      Pay $10 National Sports ID fee per student-athlete

Soccer Divisions Offered:
Elementary Recreational (Grades K-1)
Elementary Recreational (Grades 1-2)
Elementary Recreational (Grades 3-5)
Elementary Boy's Competitive (Grades 3-5)
Elementary Girl's Competitive (Grades 3-5)
Middle School Boy's JV (Grades 6-7)  [No 8th Graders]
Middle School Girl's JV (Grades 6-7)  [No 8th Graders]
Middle School Boy's Varsity (Grades 6-8) [1 Varsity Team Max]
Middle School Girl's Varsity (Grades 6-8) [1 Varsity Team Max]

Volleyball Divisions Offered:
Elementary Coed Recreational (Grades 3-5)
Elementary Girl's Competitive (Grades 3-5)
Middle School Girl's JV (Grades 6-7) [No 8th Graders]
Middle School Girl's Varsity (Grades 6-8) [1 Varsity Team Max]

Cross Country Divisions & Distance:
Grades 3-4: 1 Mile
Grades 5-6: 1.5 Miles
Grades 6-7: 1.5 Miles

NCSAA has prepared health and safety guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA Soccer Federation Chief Medical Officer & Northwestern University medical physician Dr. George Chiampas, and other Federal government agencies. The knowledge surrounding COVID-19 is constantly changing and circumstances may warrant for changes throughout the season. Until COVID-19 is either eradicated, a vaccine is distributed, or a cure is found, there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of infection and as a result NCSAA strongly encourages all participants to follow these recommendations as safety precautions. The information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  We will have a testing protocol for coaches that will be announced once we get closer to the season.
 
Before Taking Part in Activities:
• All Coaches and Game Officials must have a negative COVID-19 (NV State Law)
• Be symptom free for at least 14 days prior to any activity.
• Stay home if you are sick or do not feel well.
• Be aware of and disclose any potential contacts with affected individuals.
• Wash and sanitize your hands often.
• Ensure all equipment (cleats, ball, shin guards, practice bid/pinnies etc.) are sanitized before and after games/practice.
• Do not touch your face, eyes or mouth with unclean hands.
• Practice social distancing regularly.
• Wear a face mask to reduce exposure to airborne particles.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow if you cough or sneeze.
• Parents and Coaches should assess level of risk based on individual players on the team who may be at higher risk
for severe illness, such as children who may have asthma, diabetes, or other health problems.
• Schools are encouraged to conduct a daily temperature check of the player for low grade fever (>100.4°F) before playing.
• If a coach or student-athlete has tested positive for COVID-19, written confirmation of COVID-19 negative status and clearance
from your physician must be provided to the school and NCSAA for return to full participation in sport & activity.
 
During Games:
• All Coaches & Sideline staff must wear a mask at all times
• All players must wear a mask until game time.  They are not required to wear a mask while playing.  They are required to wear it prior to and after the game.  
• Refrain from attending any activity if displaying any COVID-19 symptoms.
• Schools are encouraged to conduct a daily temperature check of the player for low grade fever (>100.4°F) before playing.
• NCSAA reserves the right to not allow spectators to attend games.
• Comply with all permissible regulations approved for the venue.
• Wash and sanitize your hands often.
• Do not touch your face, eyes or mouth with unclean hands.
• Refrain from having physical contact with other participants and attendees (no high fives, hugs, fist bumps, etc).
• Practice social distancing as often as possible.
• Participants will need to wear a face mask while at the venue prior to and after each game.
• Face coverings should be worn by coaches, youth sports staff, officials, parents, and spectators at all times. NCSAA reserves the right to ask those not complying to leave the premises immediately.  Babies and children younger than 2 years old are not expected to wear a mask.  Those with issues that may prevent you from wearing a mask are asked to refrain from attending for yours and others safety.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow if you cough or sneeze.
• Properly dispose of your personal drinking cups, bottles, or utensils used in the trash cans.
• No sharing of water bottles, drinks, towels, cell phones, cleats, socks, shin guards, etc.
• Place equipment, bags, etc. at least 6 feet apart
• Each team will be responsible for sanitizing their game ball at each break when possible.
• Each team will be responsible for having their own hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. NCSAA and the Host Venue will not be providing these at the game site.
There will be no post-game handshakes.
• Teams and spectators will need to remain outside of the area of the game field until their game time.  If the game prior to yours is running late, you should remain as far away as possible.  NCSAA will try their best to spread out game times to avoid this when possible.
• Spectators (if permitted) will be expected to social distance. Those not living in the same household should remain at least 6 feet apart from each other and at least 6 feet from any side or end lines.
• Spectators should assess level of risk when deciding to attend a game or practice. Those who may be at higher risk for severe illness based on age or other health problems should refrain from attending.
• We strongly encourage all participants to wear gloves.  This will be at the discretion of each student-athlete and their parents.
• Nonessential visitors, spectators, volunteers. Limit any nonessential visitors, spectators, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations.