Eastern Ontario soccer association plans staged return when COVID-19 restrictions ease
Posted May 21, 2020 08:36:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association has put a plan together for a gradual return to play once COVID-19 restrictions are eased in the province.
Following the guidance of Canada Soccer and Ontario Soccer, President Ralph Ehlebracht says the plan will include non-competitive team training in its first stage. The second stage will limit competition to just local teams, while the final stage would see normal matches resume.
Ehlebracht feels optimistic that recreational soccer will return in some capacity this summer.
“I am hopeful that we are going to able to get back on the field and at least train,” the association president says. “Whether we can move into a competitions based formula, we'll see.”
Ehelbracht adds that while some parents are eager to have their kids return to the sport, others are taking a more “wait and see” approach.
The Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association has over fifty clubs in Ottawa, with upwards of 35,000 players, the majority of which are under 18-years-old.
