New Hampshire Soccer Association News
State of New Hampshire: Stay at Home 2.0 – Amateur & Youth Sports Guidelines
Governor’s Economic REOPENING TASK FORCE: COVID-19 Reopening Guidance The Govenor’s Economic Reopening Task Force has sent the New Hampshire Soccer Association the following guidance for getting their players back on the soccer field. Please review the attached guidance and be up-to-date the NHSA’s Return-to-Play Protocols.
NHSL Spring Season Cancelled
The NHSA board / NHSL Director has made the announcement to cancel the 2020 Spring season. The re-opening date is still set for June 1st. The State Association will be issuing a multi phased re-opening procedure for youth soccer activities ASAP. Again, no soccer related activities are permitted until after June 1st.
Please keep a look out for the re-opening procedures within the next couple of weeks. We are aware that there are questions about when tryouts, etc are going to be allowed. These answers will come soon.
Membership Updates: COVID-19 | April 14, 2020
To: All members and affiliates
From: Rusty Wightman, President
CC: Board of Directors and Staff
RE: Membership Update
I hope this message finds you well and you are able to find solace with family and friends. Our gratitude goes out to you all for your cooperation and understanding during these uncertain and trying times. Only by working together, following the guidelines set by local, state and national leaders, can we stop the spread and give our essential workers the rest they deserve and our players, coaches, fans, and referees the game they are longing for. Please know, as it relates to the game of soccer, the executive board and staff at New Hampshire Soccer has been, and will continue to, monitor and evaluate the situation on a constant basis.
At a board meeting on Monday, April 13, a vote was held and a decision made to further suspend all affiliated and sanctioned soccer activities statewide through May 31, 2020 due to the evolving COVID-19 situation. For our member organizations (towns, clubs and leagues) this includes, but is not limited to: all games, practices, clinics, training, tournaments, and in-person meetings. It is imperative that we all follow recommendations and mandates from the CDC, local and federal officials, USYS and US Soccer to help stop the spread the Corona Virus. New Hampshire Soccer will evaluate conditions on a continuing basis to determine when it is appropriate to reinstate our affiliated and sanctioned soccer activities. Further communications will be provided via email and on our website.
We realize this impacts many programs throughout the state. We continue to update our contingency plans as it relates to The New Hampshire Soccer League, The ODP program, our coaching education courses, referee recertification and grassroots courses, and all other programs and events scheduled. We know there are a lot of questions, we are working through the problems as they arise and trying to adjust and make the best of a situation that is constantly changing.
“You face adversity all the time. I accept what lies ahead and then I do my best. You can’t take things too seriously, and you can’t use things as an excuse or you’ll never get through.”
~Kristine Lilly
Thanks for all you do,
Rusty Wightman
President
New Hampshire Soccer Association
Membership Updates: COVID-19 | March 24, 2020
To: All members and affiliates
From: Rusty Wightman, President
CC: Board of Directors and Staff
RE: Membership Update
I hope all are getting through these uncertain times knowing that we WILL be out on the pitch again and we WILL beat this virus, TOGETHER .
In times like this I find it enlightening and invigorating witnessing people working together, for the common good of all. It is too easy to get caught up in the negative impact on our daily lives, but everywhere around us is love and compassion, giving and sharing, and the sense that when this is over we will be stronger. I know you all join me in lifting up all those that put themselves in harms way to serve those in need. In times of war we lift up our military soldiers, but we now have a different type of soldier serving us today. Our gratitude goes out to all nurses, doctors and medical staff. All the police, fire and emergency workers, the groceries, markets and gas stations that provide essential food, goods and some sense of “normal in our daily lives. Countless others, too many to mention. New Hampshire Soccer thanks you all for your sacrifice to help us through this challenging times.
I also need to thank my colleagues through out US Soccer, US Youth Soccer, US Adult Soccer and most of all the board and staff at NHSA. With the news and information changing by the second, we have all dedicated our time to making the best informed decisions possible as it relates to our beautiful game, while dealing with our own personal lives and issues.
At a special Executive Board meeting on Monday March 23, we decided to further suspend all affiliated and sanctioned soccer activities statewide through April 26, 2020 due to the evolving COVID-19 situation. For our member organizations (towns, clubs and leagues) this includes, but is not limited to: all games, practices, clinics, training, tournaments, and in-person meetings. It is imperative that we all follow recommendations and mandates from the CDC, local and federal officials, USYS and US Soccer to help stop the spread the Corona Virus. New Hampshire Soccer will evaluate conditions on a continuing basis to determine when it is appropriate to reinstate our affiliated and sanctioned soccer activities. Further communications will be provided via email and on our website. We will also be postponing the New Hampshire Day at the Revs event scheduled for June 6 until such time that a schedule can be redefined by the MLS. Then we will determine the safest time to bring us all together, when this is over we will have a reason to celebrate and you can be sure we will go all out on this one!
We realize this impacts many programs through out the state. We are currently working on contingency plans as it relates to The New Hampshire Soccer League, The ODP program, our coaching education courses, referee recertification and grass roots courses, and all other programs and events scheduled. We know there are a lot of questions, we are working through the problems as they arise and trying to adjust and make the best of a situation that is constantly changing.
Thanks for all you do,
Rusty Wightman
President
New Hampshire Soccer Association
soccernh.org
Virtual Laws of the Game Learning Opportunity for Coaches
NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE REFEREE COMMITTEE
The New Hampshire State Referee is offering virtual “in-person” classes online through Zoom at designated dates and times. While these were designed for referee recertification, they focus solely on the significant changes to the laws of the game for this year. With the cancellation of in-person classes we want to invite coaches to attend as well so everyone is the New Hampshire soccer community has an opportunity to receive the same information. This will offer you an opportunity to still see the presentation, hear explanations for the law changes, and interact with an instructor to answer any questions you may have. Virtual sessions will be offered on the following dates and times:
- Monday March 30 @ 7PM
- Sunday April 5 @ 8AM
- Tuesday April 14 @ 7PM
- Saturday April 18 @ 8AM
To sign up for one of these sessions, please complete this form:
We appreciation your flexibility, understanding and patience as we manage this situation to find solutions that work for both US Soccer requirements, the good of the game, and the health and safety of all involved. In dealing with this situation, we strongly recommend that you follow the advice, direction and guidance of your local health department. For more information on the current status across the country and measures you can take, go to:
Regards,
New Hampshire State Referee Committee
Referee@nhreferee.org
NHSA MONTHLY BOARD MEETING FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2024 POSTPONED – AUGUST MEETING 8/14/2024