COVID-19 Information

For information on COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines for return to play, please click here to visit Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association's COVID-19 Resource page.  Christie DaRosa is WYSA's COVID-19 Safety Officer.  She may be reached by emailing covid@westfordyouthsoccer.com.

Westford Youth Soccer members,

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our webinar last Tuesday. During that session, as well as in talking with many of you individually, concerns were raised about keeping everyone safe during the upcoming Fall Season. As this is one of Westford Youth Soccer's primary concerns, the Board of Directors have made the decision to only offer only an in-town program for all age groups for just this upcoming Fall 020 soccer season. 

This new in-town program will consist of:

1. Weekly skills development practices.  These practice sessions will follow the CDC recommended 6-foot distancing guidelines.  Examples of skills covered will be dribbling/touch, passing, first touch/receiving, and shooting.
2. Saturday "human foosball" games.  WYSA will create teams at each age group and play a six to eight week schedule.  Players will be physically distanced at all times, again according to CDC recommended guidelines.  We believe this format will increase skills such as making accurate passes, developing a clean receiving touch, creating passing lanes, and seeing the field and making quick decisions. To see an example of what this looks like, visit https://youtu.be/5Ep-71I__Q8

We are making this change for a number of reasons. Just this week, the Westford Health Department alerted residents to rising Covid-19 positive case numbers in town and deemed youth sports games as a possible cause.  Case numbers across Massachusetts continue to rise as well.  We feel that this plan guarantees that we can offer a much needed extracurricular athletic program to the youth of Westford no matter if (1) the Governor steps Massachusetts back a phase, (2) soccer were to be reclassified as high risk again, or (3) the Middlesex Youth Soccer League season were to get cancelled two weeks in due to rising infections in its member towns.
 
This will not be a wasted season!  These practice sessions and human foosball games will be a perfect opportunity to enhance skills they may not always get to work on during a typical season, such as ball touch, positioning, making accurate passes, cleaning up first touch/receiving, seeing the field and making quick decisions.  We believe our players will become better players by developing and enhancing many of these core foundation skills.  They will also have fun.

It became clear to us, with our fall registrations at historically low numbers, that we needed to come up with a new program - a new direction - to invigorate our membership while keeping a clear focus on the health and safety of our players, volunteers, families and community, and to make sure we designed a program that would not be susceptible to cancellation due to rising infection numbers.  Our kids missing out on another season would be unacceptable!  We believe now, more than ever, that our kids need something to do.  As the largest youth organization in town, we can provide the kids the opportunity to enhance their skills, develop their game, interact with their friends safely, and have fun.  All while keeping their physical distance and limiting potential exposure and/or transmission of Covid-19.

This new program accomplishes WYSA's stated purpose, which is to "foster and promote the qualities of physical fitness, competitive spirit, team play, loyalty, and good sportsmanship".

Coaches and volunteers, as always, will be needed to help make this program a success.  We plan to hold training sessions as the season gets closer. Additionally, WYSA will hold a Town Hall Q&A session on Thursday, August 6th -- please see below for more information on this webinar.

regards,

Westford Youth Soccer Association Board of Directors
Stephen Jones, President

Fall 2020 Registration EXTENDED

FALL REGISTRATION:  Registration is open for the Fall 2020 Soccer season.  Click here to register.  

• Grades 3-8 - Sep 1, 2020 @ 11:59 pm (EST)  (New Extended Deadline)
• Grades K, 1 and 2 - Sep 1, 2020  @ 11:59 pm (EST) (New Extended Deadline)
• Grade 9-12 - Sep 1, 2020  @ 11:59 pm (EST)

​DEADLINE TO REQUEST REFUNDS EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 1st FOR THE FALL 2020 SEASON ONLY

General Information:

• To register on-line click here.                     
• If this is the first time you are registering, click here.           
• To determine which age group your child should register for click here.           

If you have questions about which age group your player should register for please contact the appropriate division director.  See Contacts page for contact info. 

Please note the deadline for requesting refunds for the Fall 2020 season is August 1, 2020.

PROGRAM NOTES:  

• Grade K - follows a clinic-style program.  Players and coaches meet on Saturdays for a practice followed by a game.  There is no practice during the week.
• Grade 1 and 2 - one weeknight practice per week with games on Saturday

Return to Play

Good evening Westford Soccer Families,

Since our last communication several weeks ago, we at Westford Youth Soccer are very optimistic with the Governor's recent announcements that we will once again be able to get onto the pitch in the very near future. However, even as fields begin to open up, we must remain aware that things don't automatically "return to normal". Both Massachusetts Youth Soccer as well as state and local health organizations have enacted new rules and regulations to ensure the safety of all participants, including both parents and players.

To ensure that we remain in compliance with these rules and regulations, the following rule is in effect:

WYSA has not authorized any soccer practices or get-togethers to take place. We as an organization need to set several compliance checks in place, and until that is ready there should be *no* organized practices or team activities  taking place at this time. If you are contacted by a coach from WYSA, please be aware that this is not sanctioned by either our board or Mass Youth Soccer, and is not covered by our liability insurance. Be assured that we are working as quickly as we can to ensure we can start activities both as soon as possible and as safely as possible.

If you are interested in recent activities for return to play as defined by the state, please visit https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/return-to-soccer-activities/ . We hope to pass along more information as well as potential summer activities as soon as possible.

Regards,

Westford Youth Soccer Association Board
Stephen Jones, President

Looking for WYSA Members to fill Open Board Positions!

WYSA is a volunteer organization and depends on our membership to keep our youth soccer program running.  We have several open board positions that we are looking to fill.  If you are interested in any of the positions please email Stephen Jones at President@westfordyouthsoccer.com.  Open positions include:

• Grade 2 Division Director - manage/create team rosters, recruit coaches, create game schedules, address concerns/issues from grade 2 program.
• Registrar - manage the WYSA website, setup registration programs, process drops and refund requests
• Equipment Coordinator - manage/order field equipment including goals, nets and flags.  Maintain inventory of soccer balls and coaches kits.  Manage contract with vendors for in-town and travel uniforms.
• Concessions Coordinator - coordinates volunteers to staff snack shack at Jack Walsh Field on Saturdays, maintains inventory of sale items including coffee, hot cocoa, water, candy and cold drinks.  Coordinate seasonal inspection with board of health.
• All positions include attendance at monthly board meetings

Not Receiving E-Mails from WYSA?

Most soccer communications (team assignment, game schedule, team notices, etc.) are sent by email through our website.  In order to make sure you receive these important emails please do the following:

• Make sure your Spam Filter allows emails from Notification@LeagueAthletics.com.  League Athletics has directions for most current email programs.  Click here for more information.   
• Periodically check your spam and junk mail folders to make sure important soccer communications haven't been marked as spam.    
• Check your account to make sure your email addresses are valid.   
• Make sure you haven't checked off the "No Email" option or unsubscribed to emails.  If you want to receive the emails click here for instructions or click on "Parents/Player" and then select "Parent Instructions for WYSA Web."  The instructions are at the bottom of the page.