COVID-19: Updated Youth Sports Resources

7/24/2020

The path to reopening youth sports programs around the country has been filled with questions, concerns and debates about what’s best for kids, as organizations navigate our new normal.

Many states are full speed ahead, having greenlighted the resumption of sports, of course accompanied by new safety measures in place to help protect athletes, coaches and spectators. Meanwhile, youth sports programs in other states remain in lockdown, awaiting the OK from state officials, such as in Massachusetts where thousands of parents have signed a petition in support of resuming youth sports.    

The National Alliance for Youth Sports recommends that all groups follow the guidelines set by the CDC while making programming decisions, as well as your state’s public health department.

Below are links to important information provided by the CDC. Plus, thanks to the help of our dedicated Certified Youth Sports Administrators (CYSA) from around the country, you’ll find additional resources below that they have shared that you can review and utilize to assist with programming decisions in your respective communities.  

CDC: Checklist for Coaches

CDC:Toolkit for Youth Sports

CDC: Playing Youth Sports

CDC: Suggestions for Youth and Summer Camps

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Guidelines for Parks and Recreation Facilities

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Guidance for Administrators in Parks and Recreational Facilities

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Considerations for Youth Sports

National Council of Youth Sports: Return to Play Considerations

USA Football: Return to Youth Football 2020

USA Softball: Back to the Ballpark Recommendations

United States Specialty Sports Association: POST COVID-19 Return-to-Play Guidelines, Procedures and Recommendations

United States Tennis Association: Playing Tennis Safely

California Dept. of Public Health: Youth Sports Questions and Answers

Minnesota Department of Health: Frequently Asked Questions About Organized Youth Sports

Minnesota Department of Health: Sports Guidance for Youth and Adults

St. Louis County (Mo.) Public Health: Youth Sports Guidelines

Texas: Minimum Standard Health Protocols

Reopening New York: Sports and Recreation Guidelines

Illinois: Youth and Recreational Sports Guidelines

Maryland: Best Practices for Youth Sports

Alabama Public Health: Guidelines for Adult and Youth Athletic Activities

U.S. Soccer: Return to Play

Sports – United Against COVID-19

State Health Department Websites

World Health Organization

PLAY Sports Coalition - Return to Play Guidelines

National Federation of State High School Associations: Reopening Guidelines

National Recreation and Park Association

COVID-19 CDC Health Safety Resources

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