League Rules

AVERAGE JOE SPORTS CLUB

FALL 2020 LEAGUES

RETURN TO PLAY PLAN

INDEX

1. ENTRY

2. OFF-FIELD/COURT

3. ON-FIELD/COURT

4. ONSITE CONVENERS

5. SPECTATORS

6. EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN

DISCLAIMER: All individuals participating in Average Joe Recreational Leagues do so with knowledge of the risk and potential exposure involved and agree to accept any and all inherent risks to their personal health.

NOTE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS: Average Joe Sports Club does not dictate when local municipalities decide to open or close their facilities for use by leagues, teams, and players during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teams and players should be aware of and respect their local restrictions in relation to recreation participation.

The purpose of this document is to outline plans, guidelines, and procedures in contemplation of a Return to Play, addressing the major areas of concern with respect to physical distancing and to provide a certain level of comfort to participants by outlining steps to be taken to help maximize their safety and well-being.

PLEASE NOTE: This document is comprised of suggestions and recommendations that have been developed for use by all members to help ensure the health and safety of our players as we return to play. This document will be revised on a regular basis as more details become available.

1. ENTRY

·        As per Average Joe Sports Club standard rules, only players who are listed on the team roster are permitted to arrive at a facility and play the game(s). Average Joe representatives will review every team roster to ensure that rosters are the appropriate size

·        On-site conveners will conduct check-ins and take attendance before every game. This will take place at designated areas inside the main facilities but outside the gymnasium or field

·        Check-ins will be mandatory for every member who wishes to gain access to the gym or field, and will consists of a series of screening questions

·        Face masks will be mandatory for all Average Joe members as they enter the facility, go through the screening, and while they get ready to play. Face masks will also be mandatory as players leave the facility

·        Members of Average Joe Sports Club who exhibit any illnesses or symptoms such as fever, cough, cold, shortness of breath, etc., will not be permitted to participate in or to watch league games

·        During the check in/arrival process individuals may be asked if they are experiencing any other symptoms (new or existing cough) to help decide if anyone should not enter the facility, and to ensure the safety of all individuals involved

·        Individuals that show signs of a fever or illness will be turned away before they enter the facility. There is also an expectation that any individual experiencing symptoms should take the initiative to stay home

·        Individuals that show signs of symptoms at any point while present at the facility will be asked to remove themselves from the park and asked to seek medical advice

·        Entry ways to facilities will be dependent on the type/location of the complex or playing field. All entry points will be clearly communicated to players through venue details on the Average Joe website and/or through email communications

·        Emphasis will be placed on providing safe travel areas to reduce contact between individuals entering and exiting the facility

·        Players will be asked to wait outside the entrance to the facilities, in a socially distanced line, and will not be allowed into the facility until the on-site convener has begun the check-in process

·        Players will be asked to leave all personal belongings at home or in their car, and will also be asked to change into their playing clothes/shoes/uniforms at home and/or in the car

·        Entry to concessions, washrooms, changerooms, food/picnic areas will be limited, and entry ways should be properly addressed to ensure 6-foot rule can be followed, or temporary closure of concession/washroom facilities may be required

·        The establishment of hand sanitization stations may be applicable for some complexes/facilities

·        Hand sanitizer may be distributed to teams/players upon entry. Teams may be advised of being required to bring their own supply of hand sanitizer to be able to participate

·        Frequent hand sanitization will be stressed for players in all league play and may be enforced as mandatory

·        All players must vacate the facility immediately after the game has ended and must leave in an orderly fashion while abiding by social distance regulations

·        At locations where there may be back-to-back games, the league will implement a time buffer between games, to ensure that there is no overlap of players coming/going

·        Conveners will use the buffer to disinfect any equipment provided by the league before anyone else arrives for the next games

2. OFF-FIELD/COURT

·        Concession areas will be off-limits to all Average Joe Members

·        Open washrooms will require consistent attention and many washroom facilities will remain closed during play to reduce possible contamination

·        Food/picnic areas will always be off limits. If open, eating surfaces will require consistent sanitization. Guidelines for these areas should be consistent with local guidelines/regulations

·        Playground areas will always be off limits. Guidelines for these areas should be consistent with local guidelines/regulations

·        There is to be no loitering of any kind either before or after the games, in or near the gym/park or parking areas at the facilities

3. ON-FIELD/COURT

·        There will likely always be a limit on the number of people in each facility, depending on the current regulations passed down from the provincial government

·        There will also be a limit on the number of people in each league, depending on the current regulations passed down from the provincial government

·        Hand sanitization should be done consistently throughout the game

·        Dugouts/stations/stands will be completely off limits to every Average Joe member at any facility. Members will be asked to bring their own foldable chairs, or to stand/sit on the sidelines. This will provide more space for the necessary social distancing

·        For coin tosses, one representative from each team should be allowed to meet at a safe distance to conduct a coin toss or to do rock, paper, scissors

·        It is recommended that there is the reduction of all equipment sharing if possible, and equipment can only be shared between teammates. When a piece of equipment is shared between teammates, it must be sanitized after each use

·        There is to be no body contact between opponents or teammates during league games

·        Individual Player’s Equipment must remain either with the individual or in the individual’s bag and cannot at any time be put in a common area, such as on the bench or sideline

·        Players should be reminded to reduce the amount of shared equipment and attempt to keep everyone’s equipment isolated and reduce coming into contact with the equipment of other players

·        Any equipment that is supplied by the league will be sanitized before and after every game

·        There should be no sharing of protective face masks or helmets at any time

·        Face masks for the purpose of reducing potential virus transmission will be a required when entering & exiting the facility

·        Players will need to maintain 6-foot distance when on the sidelines

·        No sunflower gum chewing or spitting of any kind

·        Sunflower seeds/chewing tobacco/gum will be handled with a zero tolerance policy, that may become enforceable through potential ejection from the game and/or removal from events

·        Game sheets can be discarded immediately after the game is over. A photo can be taken as a reference if needed

·        Pre-game/post-game huddles should not be conducted at any time

·        Post-game handshake will not be allowed or required following games at any level

·        Capacity of players on bench / dugout / sidelines will need to be consistent with government guidelines relating to number of individuals allowed to gather in a given area

·        Players may be required to sit behind the bench/dugout to help maintain safe distances between them

·        During the game, players entering and exiting the playing field should do so in an orderly fashion that allows a 6-foot distance to be maintained between players as much as possible

·        Any player not required to be on the field should not enter the playing surface (celebrations)

·        No high-fives or any other physical contact at anytime either before, after, or during the game, between teammates and/or opponents

·        If medical personnel are on hand, injured players should be dealt with primarily by these individuals, unless further assistance is requested

·        The number of individuals attending to an injured player should be limited to the number necessary based on the severity of the injury. First-aid and PPE kits might be provided wherever possible to help increase the safety of their interaction with the injured player

·        Call Challenges may be made as long as the challenge is made by a recognized captain in a controlled and orderly fashion, and the captains are able to remain at a safe distance in which neither is put at risk

4. ONSITE CONVENERS

·        Average Joe Sports Club runs self-officiated recreational sports leagues. One convener will be in place at each location to ensure that the above rules are being followed and enforced

·        On-site conveners will conduct check-ins and take attendance

·        Conveners will abide by the distancing guidelines set out by the Ontario government and local health officials, and their primary role will be to remind and all participants of the Return To Play rules when necessary

5. SPECTATORS

·        Spectators will not be allowed at any Average Joe League game, indoor or outdoor

·        Injured or sick players will not be permitted to attend the games as spectators

·        Team rosters will be monitored to ensure that team sizes are in line with regulations and spectators may not be listed on the team rosters in order to get access to the facilities

6.EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN

·        When a positive COVID-19 test is confirmed amongst an Average Joe Member(s) currently playing, Average Joe Sports Club will provide the following:

1.      Positive test confirmed with Average Joe Sports Club staff

2.      Team Captain of positive teammate to be contacted immediately to inform remaining teammates

3.      Team Captains from opposing teams in bubble notified

4.      Internal communication with convener/referee/staff and general manager

5.      All staff/players in bubble referred to Ontario Health Authority (Telehealth Ontario: +1 866-797-0000)

6.      Communication to Region/Town/City staff of emergency response plan in action

7.      Emergency resolved

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