To: Nebraska State Soccer Members
From: NSS Board of Directors
June 17, 2020
RE: Return to Play, Programming update
We hope that this letter finds all NSS members and family safe and well. As we are sure you are all aware, we all got the exciting news that Governor Ricketts will allow soccer to begin as a team sport again starting July 1st. With that in mind, we wanted to communicate to all of you on a variety of subjects and how this affects our programming this fall.
Return to Play
Starting July 1, all activities are back in play, this includes:
- All sanctioned leagues and tournament play (if your club runs a league)
- In-Person Team or Individual Practices/Trainings
- All tryouts, camps or clinics
- In-person organizational meetings or educational sessions
- Friendly games or scrimmages
While soccer is “back,” NSS strongly encourages all clubs and coaches to remain vigilant and follow all CDC and NSS Return to Play guidelines for maintaining a safe environment. Also keep in mind when returning to activity to start slow to avoid injury, and make sure to keep potentially high summer temperatures in mind when training.
You can find all RTP recommendations here.
Team Formation
The NSS Board of Directors adjusted the tryout policy due to the pandemic and this temporary policy is still in place. All clubs were given the opportunity to re-sign current members during June. The month of July is set aside for players wishing to move clubs to do so. We will send more information and reminders regarding this policy soon.
State Staff & Office
The state office will be open on July 1st, but with reduced hours and we strongly encourage you to contact staff before stopping by. Player Pass paper is available for pickup in the vestibule outside the office or can be mailed with proper notice.
NSS Sanctioned Leagues
NYSL and CYSL will resume league play this fall. Each league will communicate registration and Fall information directly.
NSS Hosted Tournaments
State Cup: Currently on as typically scheduled in October. Once venues are finalized dates and registration will be officially announced.
Presidents Cup: We are excited to host our first ever Nebraska President’s Cup! This event is a national program with state, regional and national levels. This is geared for Level 1 teams in NYSL Premier II and below.The event is scheduled for early Fall – information out soon! Contact Crystal with any questions!
Fall Challenge Cup: For level 2 teams, this event will take place October 3-4. Registration will be open soon.
Coaching Education
We will continue to work with US Soccer as to the best way to conduct courses. US Soccer cancelled all in-person courses (A, B, C) through the end of 2020. We will be updating our calendar with possible education options soon. The C and D license courses that were scheduled here in Nebraska have been cancelled.
As always, online grassroots courses (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11) are still available FREE to any registered NSS coach. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Olympic Development Program
We will begin 2020-2021 programming this fall. Information will be out soon. We are working with USYS/MLS to communicate details of the partnership and how that will impact ODP.
TOPSoccer
Regular TOPSoccer programming can begin July 1, 2020. Again, its suggested programs follow CDC, US Soccer and NSS Return to Play suggestions.
Sanctioned Tournaments
We will begin approving and posting the official Sanctioned NSS Tournaments for the fall of 2020 and spring of 2021 immediately. We will only be approving new or regularly scheduled tournaments and will not be approving make-up tournaments that were cancelled this Spring.
Referees
Referee certification courses are scheduled (and canceled) at the discretion of the Nebraska Referee Development Program; please refer to NRDP directly for information regarding their immediate plans. NSS is preemptively seeking guidance to address the nationwide referee shortage.
U.S. Youth Soccer Programming
All 2020 USYS Leagues Program and Conference activities will be starting up and those leagues have been in communication with all participants.
USYS National League/Midwest Conference applications are available for Fall, contact the state office for the registration link.
U.S. Soccer RTP
US Soccer has provided all states with great "Play On" Return to Play resources that we have linked to our website. We encourage everyone to follow those closely
Again, thank you to all of you for your patience as this past Spring. We are excited to begin soccer again and will continue to communicate any and all updates.
Nebraska State Soccer Board of Directors