Wells Parks & Recreation 2021 Season Information

Programs / Teams offered: - Sticklets & Little Laxers – grades Kindergarten, 1 & 2 – Learn to play in house program.

- Travel Teams – grades 3/4 and 5/6 – Will play inter team games and against local teams

*All participants make a team; no experience needed. Wells Rec. lacrosse teams are designed to teach players the game of lacrosse and be a first step to playing on the Jr High and HS teams.

Season: - First practices for Travel teams will be (weather depending) the week of April 5; days & times will vary for each team.

- First games for travel teams will be the weekend of May 1/2

- Last games for travel teams will be the weekend of June 12/13

- Outside preseason strength and conditioning for grades 3-6 for first few weeks of practice.

- Remember you can get a head start on the season by grabbing your lacrosse stick and practicing cradling, ground pick-ups and throwing and catching.

- Travel teams will participate in Stateline and/or Maine Youth Lacrosse leagues. Games will be against York County teams only.

- All Rec coaches are volunteers. Head coaches are US Lacrosse certified coaches.

Covid-19 procedures: - Wells Parks & Recreation will be following CDC, State, and local government and school Covid-19 guidelines.

- CDC Community Sports Guidelines states: Sports activities present multiple challenges in the effective use of primary prevention strategies. These challenges include:

• Risk of exposure to the virus due to close physical proximity during sports activities through participation in the sport activity itself, group seating, and group travel. • Increased risk during intense and sustained physical contact whether purposeful or accidental. • Increased projection of respiratory particles during cardiovascular activities, yelling or shouting as part of play, or common sneezing or coughing. This increase in projection of droplets can be up to 14 feet, well exceeding the typical physical distancing recommendation of 6 feet between individuals. • While face coverings may not be compatible with some activities, experience in different states with fall sports shows that they can be safely and effectively worn during competition. As such, face coverings are required for all individuals at practices and competitions at all times, including players, coaches, staff, and officials while engaging in practice or competition.

- Face masks will be worn by everyone, at all times while at the Wells Rec. Park facilities. This includes players on the field and bench area, coaches, officials, and spectators.

- Athletes will place their water bottles and personal items at their own designated spot, socially distant from others. Only here will players be able to remove their mask to take a drink of water. NO food will be consumed at this spot, NO sharing of water bottles or food.

- Players will come fully equipped to participate; do not bring big bags or change on the field. Bring / wear only what you need to play. Players can leave their extra equipment with parents.

- Spectators must maintain 6 feet physical distance between themselves and other spectators and players. Household members only in each space, if you do not live with them do not sit with them!

- Players, coaches, officials, and fans should stay home if they are feeling ill, have a fever, or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.

- COVID-19 screening questions may be asked to everyone before entering the Rec Park. Hand sanitizers will be available at each entrance and on the playing fields.

- The number of persons allowed on the field at a time is limited. This amount includes all players, coaches, officials, and supervising staff; field access may be restricted to fans. Information on this amount will be communicated closer to the event.

From the DOE & MPA relating to a COVID case at school and how it relates to sports: (5) Evaluation of sports-related activities

• If a COVID-19 case plays a sport in the “Higher Risk” or “Moderate Risk” category while infectious, the entire sports team, including the coach and game officials that are in the play area, are considered close contacts. 2 Support staff of a team (i.e., officials, referees, athletic trainers) will be assessed independently depending on the nature of the activity, setup, mitigation strategies in place by the school nurse or other staff and the case investigator.

▪ If, during the period of infectiousness, a COVID-19 positive case plays against another team, the other team will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for close contacts

• Those deemed to be close contacts may not play sports during their period of quarantine.

- If you go away for April vacation outside or New England, just like school you will need to quarantine for 10-14 days before returning to play.

Equipment: - For players at the Sticklets & Little Laxers level (grades Kindergarten 1 & 2) - a stick, , and eye protection are needed. Players can purchase their own equipment or use the Rec equipment (not including ). All borrowed equipment will be sanitized after each use.

- Girls travel level (grades 3-6) – players will need a girl’s lacrosse stick, goggles or eye protection, mouthguard, cleats. are optional, must be a girl’s NOT a boy’s helmet. All equipment must meet current safety regulations.

- Boys travel level (grades 3-6) – players will need a boy’s lacrosse stick, helmet, shoulder , elbow pads, gloves, cleats, a cup is highly recommended and required if player is a goalie. All equipment must meet current safety regulations.

- Goalies – Travel levels only – players who wish to play goalie can either purchase their own equipment or borrow the Rec equipment. Goalies need all the boy’s equipment, a chest pad, throat guard, padded shorts/pants, and a goalie stick. Shin guards are required for girls but only recommended for boys.

- US Lacrosse equipment guide: https://www.uslacrosse.org/safety/equipment/player-equipment

- If you cannot afford equipment please contact the Rec Dept at 646-5826.