Greater Seattle Soccer League center badge

Greater Seattle Soccer League | Return to Play Guidelines

The purpose of this document is to provide our members with guidance for game day procedures to be followed once games can resume.

For the 2022 league games, the GSSL will comply with the current guidelines required by the Washington State Governor and the Washington State Department of Health at all times by all players, coaches, referees, and participants. Players, managers, coaches, and referees actively participating in a game are not required to wear a mask (but may choose to do so). The GSSL is committed to following the current guidelines as COVID requirements may improve or retract.

No more than 150 people attending per field or area of play – which includes players, coaches, officials/referees, and spectators.

*Outdoor sports spectators subject to the COVID19 Spectator Event Guidance.

All participants should limit exposure to others when traveling to and from GSSL games. Participants are encouraged to travel in separate vehicles if not in the same household, if possible.

GSSL Responsibilities

  • Create and distribute Return to Play Guidelines to team managers, captains, players, and referees. Provide updates as appropriate changes are made to the Return to Play guidance.
  • Be empathetic to individuals that may be uncomfortable returning to play
  • Train and educate staff and volunteers on Return to Play Guidelines
  • Maintain an action plan in case a participant tests positive for COVID-19
    • Notify the local public health department if a participant tests positive for COVID-19
    • Notify field owners/coordinators (if required) if a participant tests positive for COVID-19
  • Collaborate with field coordinators to ensure rental times allow for safe entry and exit of the field
  • Require all participants to sign and submit additional liability disclaimer with COVID-19 language before allowing a return to play
  • Require all teams to provide a roster of all participants for every game and keep such records on file for no less than 28 days - for records and contact tracing.

Team Manager/Captain Responsibilities

  • Follow and Enforce Return to Play Guidelines with players
  • Monitor personal health and stay home if feeling sick or if in close contact with someone with COVID-19
  • Encourage players to perform daily wellness checks and inquire about how players are feeling. Send players home if they are feeling sick or express symptoms of Coronavirus
  • Ensure all players on the team have signed and submitted the additional liability disclaimer before returning to play
  • Provide a roster of every participant for each game to assist with contact tracing in the event of a possible COVID exposure
  • Do not arrive more than 15 minutes prior to scheduled game time. Do not enter the playfield until the start of the reservation, and no equipment can be brought to the field until the start of the reservation. Waiting on the sidelines prior to the start of the reservation is not allowed.
  • Unvaccinated participants are encouraged to wear a mask and maintain a distance of 6 feet from others when not engaged in sporting activities
  • Wash hands thoroughly before and after games or use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol-based
  • No post-game celebrations that require physical contact (high fives, handshakes, knuckles, etc.)
  • Ensure the team leaves the field immediately following the game conclusion
  • Notify the GSSL immediately if any player on the team tests positive for COVID-19 after participating in a GSSL-sanctioned game

Player Responsibilities

  • Adhere to all Return to Play Guidelines and encourage teammates to do the same
  • Only attend games if you are comfortable returning to play – participation is NOT mandatory
  • Perform daily wellness checks and refrain from participating if feeling sick or if in close contact with someone with COVID-19. Players with underlying health conditions should seek authorization from their medical provider before returning to play.
  • Sign and submit the updated liability disclaimer before participation
  • Do not arrive more than 15 minutes prior to scheduled game time. Do not enter the playfield until the start of the reservation, and no equipment can be brought to the field until the start of the reservation. Waiting on the sidelines prior to the start of the reservation is not allowed.
  • Unvaccinated participants are encouraged to wear a mask and maintain a distance of 6 feet from others when not engaged in sporting activities
  • Wash hands before and after games or use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol-based
  • Wash and sanitize equipment before and after games
  • Notify the GSSL immediately if you test positive for COVID-19 after participating in a GSSL-sanctioned game

Referee Responsibilities

  • Adhere to all GSSL Return to Play Guidance
  • Sign and submit updated liability disclaimer
  • If referees are feeling sick or have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 - they need to contact the GSSL Referee Assignor, Enisa Grcic, to be removed from the game assignment
  • Perform daily wellness checks
  • Unvaccinated participants are encouraged to wear a mask and maintain a distance of 6 feet from others when not engaged in sporting activities
  • Wash hands before and after games or use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol-based
  • Wash and sanitize equipment before and after games
  • Notify the GSSL immediately if you test positive for COVID-19 after participating in a GSSL-sanctioned game
  • Enforce modified rule formats if required for different phases
  • Referees have the option to terminate a game if Return to Play Guidelines are not being followed

GSSL COVID-19 Action Plan - Procedures for potential and confirmed COVID-19 exposure

  • If a participant becomes ill following a GSSL game, the team manager or the player needs to notify the GSSL office.
  • For HIPAA reasons, information only includes the participant's team and the date/time of symptom onset.
  • GSSL notifies the opponent and game official who may have been exposed * only providing necessary information (participant team and date/time of symptom onset).
  • Quarantined games are canceled or postponed, with no forfeit penalty.

RTP Plan updated 7/6/2022