Team Turnpike, LLC Return to Play

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 Team Turnpike (TPK) and Garden State ELITE (GSE) Stages of Return to Play and Action Plan:

 

Covid-19 Questionnaire, otherwise known as the “admittance ticket“: HERE

As it is deemed safe to do more things, we are committed to making sure that all of our players can begin playing again in a safe environment. We have reviewed a number of return-to-play guidelines across various sports governing bodies and have put together a return-to-play strategy that exceeds the recommended standards of the CDC.  The stages and timing of return to play will be based on state and local guidelines. At this time New Jersey is allowing groups of 25 to participate in physical activity. We are moving intelligently and deliberately to observe safety standards for our families. 

 

As we return to the field, things are going to be different for a while. In order to maintain the health and safety of all players, common processes and drills during practices will be changed. It is very important that we stick to these guidelines to mitigate the risk of possible transmission. We ask all families to read these guidelines so that they are informed and prepared. 

 

We will be taking a staged approach to our return-to-play so that we allow players and parents to be safe as we get acclimated to the new normal. Social distancing will be a major priority during all phases and will be strictly enforced by our coaches.  Even as we head to gameplay, social distancing and hygiene standards will be mandated in all situations on and off the field.  We will host a virtual meeting to review the guidelines with all of our families before we resume play.  This is to ensure that when players and parents arrive for their first practices, we will all know the procedures and be comfortable and confident in our health and safety together. 

 

 

 

 

Staged Approach Return to Play

Stage 1: Train at Home (Virtual Training)

 

• Focus on individual development
• Use the TPK and GSE Stay Fresh fitness and lacrosse workouts to stay in shape and work on your skills

 

 

 

Stage 2: Socially Distanced Training

 

Social Distancing:

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends physical distancing of six-feet between people and the wearing of personal protective masks as fundamental interventions that prevent the spread of COVID-19. These interventions have become widely adopted and Team Turnpike and Garden State ELITE Lacrosse will follow these guidelines during our Stage 2 Return to Play. (usl.org) Our socially distanced training will follow the general understanding that young players huddled together for instruction or groups of non-participating players socializing on the sidelines represent greater infection risks and are examples of traditional practice plans that must be eliminated. Therefore, our model will follow strict procedures without exception. 

 

SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES FOR TRAINING

 

• Players will be kept 6 feet apart from the time they arrive through pick-up. This includes all on field training.
• Masks/face coverings are to be worn at drop-off, any off-field instruction, and pick-up. The exception to wearing a mask/face covering is when players are on the field training. Coaches and other personnel present at training will follow these same mask/face covering guidelines unless engaging in high intensity aerobic or anaerobic workouts . 
• Training is limited to non-contact activities, i.e. individual skills, fitness, etc.
• No physical contact including huddles, high fives, etc. 
• Parents/caregivers must follow government social distancing guidelines and are asked to stay in their vehicles when comfortable. Do not gather near fields.
• Teams entering fields for training should wait until all players from previous practice have left. 

 

Equipment:

 

• Players will arrive with all personal equipment ready to play.  
• Player’s water (label) and equipment (label) must not be shared and will be kept at least 6 feet apart to ensure breaks are also properly distanced. 
• Hand sanitizer will be available for players, coaches, and staff to use before, during, and after practice. (Cintas sanitizer stations with 70%-80% alcohol are located on each field see map for locations)
• Balls will be cleaned prior to and at the conclusion of practice.  
• It is recommended that players disinfect their own equipment at the conclusion of every practice

 

 

Stage 3: Return to Contact and Competition

 

• Return to contact – intra squad scrimmages
• Increased intensity and competitiveness in drills
• Limited closeness and contact allowed
• Game – specific drills 
• Full competition resumption with teams from varied geographic areas

 

 

 

Stage 4: Return to Normal

 

• Return to Normal Large and Small Group Training Sessions. 
• Mixing of Teams and Players Can Occur Normally. 
• Huddles will be limited.

 

 

 

 

Team Turnpike/Garden State Elite Action Plan 1

 

At home on your practice day: 

 

While at home BEFORE EACH TPK/GSE PRACTICE, athletes, coaches, and staff must complete the Athlete Admittance Ticket to Return to Play. (an online version is being worked on to streamline the process) This screening tool will evaluate the player’s answers to questions and instruct the player to proceed to the facility for practice or to stay home.  

 

1. All information submitted through the Team Turnpike/Garden State ELITE COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire will be evaluated by the Team Turnpike/Garden State ELITE Health and Safety Team. In the event that a team member screens as “high risk” for exposure to COVID-19, the information submitted will be used for contact tracing within the program, possible modification of the team’s training schedule, and notification of all potential exposures within the club. 
2. If a player tests positive for COVID-19 or is given the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, the player will not be permitted to attend practices. 
3. Players who have tested positive for COVID-19 must submit a medical clearance letter from a qualified medical healthcare provider to the Team Turnpike/Garden State ELITE Health and Safety Team permitting them to return to play.
   

 

 

Team Turnpike/Garden State Elite Action Plan 2 

 

Arrival at Apex:

 

Arrive 20 minutes early to go through the Apex car screen check.  Visitors will be asked screening questions pertaining to symptoms, current health status, and the health of those you live with.  

 

1. Only TPK/GSE players, coaches, & staff are permitted on the Apex fields during their scheduled practice times. 
2. We request that all family members & pets remain in their vehicles at all times. 
3. Players must remain in their vehicle until motioned to check in. No congregating in groups will be permitted at Apex. 
4. If a family has multiple children that are members of TPK/GSE — and those children have different practice times — we request that the non-practicing players remain in their car until their practice time begins. 
5. Players are not permitted to eat on the Apex Fields unless in their own vehicle. 
6. Players must show their coaches their TPK/GSE COVID Screening Admittance Ticket before the beginning of each practice. CLICK HERE for Screening Admittance Ticket
7. Players that fail to show their coach their Admittance Ticket upon arriving at Apex will not be permitted to attend practice
8. When motioned to leave your cars please head to the main tent for further screening. 

 

What will fitness training and practice look like: 

 

1. Players are advised to sanitize their hands prior to arrival at their training session; players are responsible for bringing their own hand sanitizer to practice. (Cintas hand sanitizer stations with 70%-80% alcohol are located on each field.)  See field map 
2. Coaches are advised to sanitize their hands prior to and in between each training session; coaches are responsible for bringing their own hand sanitizer to practice. (Cintas hand sanitizer stations with 70%-80% alcohol are located on each field.)  See field map
3. Training sessions will be 75-120 mins in duration. 
4. Training groups are limited to 25 players per ⅓ of the field. 
5. Players will be positioned at a distance of at least 6 feet apart at ALL TIMES during the session.  Cones will be set up to keep players 6ft apart in drill lines. 
6. A strict NO CONTACT policy will be enforced during training sessions: coach will give one warning for a player who keeps getting too close to another player, second warning the player will need to sit out for 5 minutes, third infraction the player will be asked to leave the session.
7. No pinnies or shared equipment will be permitted during training sessions.  We will be minimizing equipment sharing and we will not permit athletes to share food, beverages, water bottles (label your water bottle with a piece tape and your name on it), towels, pinnies, gloves, helmets or any other sports equipment that is involved in direct bodily contact.
8. TPK/GSE coaches, players, and staff must wear masks while at Apex.  Face coverings should not be worn by staff or athletes when engaging in high intensity aerobic or anaerobic workouts, or where doing so would inhibit the individual’s health. 
9. The club reserves the right to remove a player from training should he/ she appear sick (e.g. coughing, febrile, generally appearing unwell).

 

 

 

Team Turnpike/Garden State ELITE COVID Alert Response Action Plan 3 

 

SCENARIO 1: Did not fill out or bring the Athlete Admittance Ticket
-If the ticket is not submitted, the athlete will not be admitted to practice and sent home
SCENARIO 2: Player answered Yes to any questions on the Athlete Admittance Ticket
-The player is required to STAY HOME from practice until symptom free.
-If you can provide (on Athlete Admittance Ticket) additional information if symptoms present are better explained by another legitimate condition (e.g. exercise induced muscle soreness, diagnosed seasonal allergies) you will be allowed to practice/compete.  

 

SCENARIO 3: Player has shown symptoms of illness during practice

 

1.  Player will immediately be removed from the field and escorted to a segregated tent
2.  Parent/guardian will be contacted to pick-up the player immediately.  
3. Player will be advised to see a medical professional. 
4. A medical professional will determine if COVID 19 test is necessary. 
5. Player may return to play after letter of medical clearance from healthcare provider is reviewed by TPK/GSE Health and Safety Team

 

SCENARIO 4: COVID-POSITIVE PLAYER or COACH

 

In the case that a player or coach tests positive for COVID OR is given clinical diagnosis of COVID by healthcare provider: 

 

1. Alert TPK/GSE Health and Safety Team Girls: Info@GardeStateElite.com Boys: Info@TeamTurnpike.com immediately with the date of your positive test 
2. Coach will be alerted 
3. Team members be alerted 
4. TPK/GSE Health and Safety team will contact the local and state health officials and follow all local and state protocols.
5. Those most at risk will be advised to self-quarantine, monitor symptoms and return to play only when safe and appropriate. (cdc.gov)
6. Player may return to play after letter of medical clearance from healthcare provider is reviewed by TPK/GSE Health and Safety Team.

 

 

 SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR ALL STAGES

 

The following CDC recommendations will be followed, regardless of the Return to Play stage: 

 

-Stay at home if you (or a member of your immediate household) are feeling sick or experiencing the following COVID-19 symptoms: People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: 

 

• Cough 
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
• Fever of 100.3 degrees F/37.9 degrees C 
• Chills 
• Muscle pain 
• Sore throat 
• New loss of taste or smell 
• (additional less common symptoms can be found at cdc.gov) 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and equipment (including balls, mouthguards, sticks, water bottles, helmets, eyewear, pads, uniform). 
• No sharing of equipment, water bottles, towels. 
• Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (sing “Happy Birthday” twice) or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 
• Have sanitizing options available, including, but not limited to hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. 
• If capability exists, temperature of participants should be taken using an infrared thermometer. Anyone with a temperature of 100.3 degrees or more should be sent home and evaluated by a licensed medical professional before being cleared to participate. 
• Arrive dressed and ready to train. 
• Minimize use of changing rooms, bathrooms, communal areas. 
• Eat off-site. Bring your own water bottle (name labeled on it). 
• Any tasks that can be done at home, should be done at home (recovery sessions, online meetings). 
• Any tasks that can be done at home, should be done at home (recovery sessions, online meetings).
• Cover your mouth and nose with elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing.
  • Follow the public health guidance of the host location for the lacrosse activity, when determining what necessary return to play and risk mitigation plan to follow.

 

RESOURCES:

 

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
• State of New Jersey Department of Health: www.nj.gov
• US Lacrosse: www.uslacrosse.org
• Return to Play, Social Distancing, and Equipment: HERE
• Arrival Procedures for Apex: HERE
• How to do the Admittance Form (ticket): HERE
  

 

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