COVID-19 Updates
Covid-19 Update re Arsenal Season on March 4, 2021
Hello Arsenal Parents / Coaches,
We've been holding off on writing this email until we could confirm whether this season was going to continue into March. As of the Mar 1 AHS update, the move into Step 2 did not include youth sports. Following this announcement, the EMSA league announced they are cancelling the remaining 2020-21 indoor soccer league games. Given these announcements, the Fort Saskatchewan Soccer executive committee, have made the decision to formally cancel the remainder of the Arsenal season.
We will begin the process of refunds late next week when we receive the league refunds. Refunds will be issued to the credit card used for registration. If this credit card is no longer active, please email Carol our sports coordinator at: info@fortsasksoccer.com by Monday, Mar 8 at noon. A refund cheque will be issued and mailed to you using the address from the RAMP system. At this time, we will be refunding fees for the unused pitch time for your team, any refunds received from the league and the fundraising fees to each player.
We want to thank you all for your patience this season during all the uncertainty. We also want to thank all the volunteer coaches and managers. Without you folks we would have never gotten a start on the season. Please note that an email will be sent out regarding equipment and jersey return shortly. This applies to coaches only.
On another note, 2021 outdoor soccer registration is now open until March 31st. Please see our website for more information on the upcoming outdoor season.
Fort Saskatchewan Soccer : Website by RAMP InterActive (fortsasksoccer.ca)
Covid-19 Update re Timbit Season on March 3, 2021
Good evening Parents / Coaches,
I've been holding off on writing this email until we could confirm whether this season was going to continue into March. As of the Alberta monthly update from AHS, the move into Step 2 did not include youth sports. As a Fort Saskatchewan Soccer board of directors, we have taken all information and made the decision to formally cancel the remainder of the Timbits season. We will begin the process of refunds shortly. Please ensure that the Credit Card used to enroll your children is still valid. If this is not the case, you must reach out to our sports coordinator, Carol, at the following email address:
info@fortsasksoccer.com. At this time we will be refunding, at minimum, the unused pitch time and fundraising fees to each player.
I want to thank you all for your patience this season during all the uncertainty. I also want to thank all the volunteer coaches. Without you folks we would have never gotten a start on the season. Please note that an email will be sent out in regard to gear return shortly. This applies to coaches only. Currently, we have opened up the 2021 Outdoor Timbits soccer season. Registration takes place through the month of March and will be closed on March 31st.
On a final note, It has been posted on the Fort Saskatchewan Soccer facebook page that we are looking for a new Timbits Director. I am formally stepping away from the Board of Directors to pursue other opportunities within our wonderful community here in Fort Saskatchewan. I want to thank all of you who have volunteered to help make Timbits soccer successful over the last few seasons. I also want to thank the parents for enrolling your children in the Timbits Program. It has been a wonderful experience getting to know (and coach) many of your kids. If anyone is interested in volunteering as the Timbits Director, please send me an email and we can chat about roles and responsibilities. I can provide training and documents to help you be successful.
Cheers,
Evan March
Timbits Program Director
Fort Saskatchewan Soccer
“You learn more from defeats than you do from victories.” - Sir Alex Ferguson
Covid-19 Update from EMSA on March 2, 2021
Dear EMSA Members,
The decision by the Government of Alberta to postpone Children's sports and Performance to Step 3 left EMSA no other option but to cancel the remaining 2020-2021 Indoor Soccer League games.
During its meeting last night, the EMSA Board of Directors also decided to continue to support and endorse all teams and players that decide to continue their training activities as long as they strictly observe existing AHS guidelines and ASA's 8&2 Return-to-Train rules.
Every EMSA Zone and Club Office is currently finalizing their refund strategies and will contact every team and parent as soon as possible.
In the coming week, as some of our players continue their indoor training programs, our Zones and Clubs offices will start planning the 2021 Outdoor season.
As soon as the remaining details are finalized, the Outdoor registration process will start March 15, 2021 (www.emsamain.com or contact your closest EMSA Zone/Club) and the respective club team tryout dates will be announced.
We thank all our members for their tremendous patience and support during these uncertain times. As uncertainty continues to make the planning process difficult, we reaffirm EMSA's commitment to find the right solution for our children to continue to enjoy The Beautiful Game. We have already started working with our facilities partners to ensure we are all prepared to return with a fun and competitive 2021 Outdoor season.
Sincerely,
Mario Charpentier
EMSA President
COVID - 19 Update Feb 9, 2021:
Given the current update from AHS and ASA, we are allowed to Return to Train on February 8. This comes with some restrictions such as a maximum of 10 people on the field, including coaches and participants must physically distance maintaining 3 meters apart at all times. The Fort Saskatchewan Soccer Executive Committee met last night via Zoom and we have looked at this from a few different angles. At this time and given the tight restrictions and our team rosters sizes, we would not be able to put a whole team on the field at the same time. We looked at the possibility of dividing the team in half and providing a 25 min technical session to each half. We felt while this would be a way to get players on the field, but it would not be fiscally responsible for us to do this at the time. We also felt for the younger age groups U3 to U7 while it made more sense fiscally to put these players on the field, we felt that to keep 3 meters apart would be virtually impossible. We decided that we will NOT be offering any Return to Train at this time.
With the declining Hospitalization numbers, we are still holding out hope that we can provide a bit of a season to the U3 to U9 teams in March. So no refunds will be given at this time to U3 to U9 players. Regarding our Arsenal players, I have sent an email to EMSA asking if there will be further penalties or fines for withdrawing teams for the 2020/2021 indoor season. Normally to withdraw a team from EMSA the fines are as high as $1800. We are hoping due to COVID-19 that this will be waived. Once we hear back from EMSA we will be able to make a decision about the fate of the rest of the indoor season. NOTE: If we withdraw a team from EMSA without a cancellation of the season, we will NOT be eligible to get any sort of refund returned to us for the cost of putting the teams in EMSA.
If ASA and EMSA cancel the rest of the season for both Timbits and Arsenal teams, the executive board will look at what we can reimburse each player for and how much. NOTE: We cannot reimburse each player for costs that Fort Saskatchewan Soccer has already paid out for operation of the Indoor season.
Update via RAMP Jan. 22, 2021
A per the AHS update on January 21, current restrictions will not be eased at this time. Practices and games will remain on hold until further notice from AHS.
We have an executive committee meeting next week and will be discussing our options for the season.
We will continue to send emails and post updates on the website as we receive information from the league and AHS.
Update via RAMP Jan. 11, 2021
Covid-19 update....
Due to the current provincial restrictions practices and games will be put on hold until January22,2021.
EMSA has issued a email stating that once the restrictions are lifted they will be pushing as many games through as possible until April 11,2021. There will be NO refunds issued at this time to parents wanting to withdrawal a Arsenal player.
As for Timbit parents a survey went out by the Timbit director and the feedback was most families want to extend the indoor season once the restrictions are lifted. At this point There will be NO refunds issued at this time to parents wanting to withdrawal a Timbit player.
We are truly hoping to see players on the field very soon!
Update from EMSA - Jan 8, 2021
Good Morning Everyone!
With the recent update yesterday from the Alberta Government extending the restrictions until at least the 21st of January the EMSA schedules are postponed. We will try again for a possible restart on January 22nd and run the season until April 11 at the latest.
Once we receive the go ahead from the government we will post schedules at that time and email everyone to let them know.
Update from EMSA Community league - Jan 5, 2021
There is a possibility that the current AHS restrictions may be lifted next week. Therefore, Round 2 schedules for Community are currently being worked on. We will be following the same format the we were playing prior to the shutdown. Please inform your team officials that the tentative date for Round 2 will be Jan 16- Feb 20.
As per the public information from AHS, the restrictions may be lifted after January 12th. If AHS extends the restrictions I will send an email out to everyone to let them know which games are cancelled. Please note though that EMSA will NOT be cancelling the indoor season. We will continue to work with the restrictions to try and play as many games as possible between now and April 11th.
Schedules for Community will be posted on the EMSA website later this week. I will send an email out to confirming they are ready. (Tentative & subject to change, will be confirmed once AHS announcement for restrictions is stated)
Player and Team Official cards will be required for all league games from this point forward. Please ensure your teams have cards or the electronic copies of them
Thanks and stay safe!
Jenna Davis
Community Program Director
emsa
Edmonton Minor Soccer Association
Update from EMSA league - Jan 4, 2021
To: All Club Directors
Zone Offices
Out of District Offices
Good Afternoon Everyone,
Happy 2021!
There is a possibility that the current AHS restrictions may be lifted next week. Therefore, Round 2 schedules for the Club League and the U7 Mini League are currently being worked on. We will be following the same format the we were playing prior to the shutdown.
As per the public information from AHS, the restrictions may be lifted after January 11th. Therefore round 2 is being scheduled from January 12th until April 11th. If AHS extends the restrictions I will send an email out to everyone to let them know which games are cancelled. Please note though that EMSA will NOT be cancelling the indoor season. We will continue to work with the restrictions to try and play as many games as possible between now and April 11th.
Schedules for Club and U7 Mini will be posted on the EMSA website later this week. I will send an email out to everyone once they are ready.
Player and Team Official cards will be required for all league games from this point forward. Please ensure your teams have cards or the electronic copies of them.
Thanks and take care!
Edmonton Minor Soccer Association
Update via RAMP Dec. 10, 2020
Indoor Team Sports Ban
As per Alberta Heath Services (AHS) COVID-19 update on December 8, the ban on indoor team sports has been extended. In accordance with Alberta's targeted health measures, all Fort Sask Soccer indoor activities will be suspended up to and including January 12, 2021. This includes all Timbit and Arsenal practices and games. We will keep you apprised of any updates as we receive them.
Covid-19 updates from the leagues are posted on our website under the 2021 Indoor Season tab.
For more information on the AHS announcement see https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx
Refunds
We have had some inquiries about refunds for the season. The EMSA league and our Timbit in-house league are looking at options for extending the season. We are hopeful that we can continue the season once the restrictions are lifted. At this time no refund will be available. If the season is cancelled by Alberta Soccer Association and AHS, we will look at pro rating refunds for expenses that have not been incurred and any refunds we get from the leagues at that time as per our policy.
Raffle Tickets
Our raffle draw date is Jan 20. We are looking at extending our raffle license and determining how to safely distribute the tickets to our team raffle volunteers and then to the parents. We will keep you posted.
We wish you a safe and healthy holiday season.
Update from EMSA league - Dec 9, 2020
From: Dragos Niculescu
Sent: Wednesday, December 9, 2020 10:56 AM
Subject: RE: COVID -19 Updates - December 8
Good morning,
As expected, in light of continuing increase in Covid19 spread, the Government of Alberta decided yesterday to implement stronger public health measures.
Full information here: https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx
The new restriction effectively shut down all sport and recreation province-wide until at least January 12, 2021.
As a result of this measures, EMSA is effectively suspending all organized soccer activities until January 12, 2021.
EMSA is encouraging all young soccer players in our program to do their best to stay active during these next 4 weeks and will work with coaching staff to help them provide virtual training and support for their teams during this period.
EMSA and our facility partners made a commitment to do everything possible to complete this 2020-2021 Indoor Season once the restrictions are lifted.
EMSA’s scheduling team is working on re-arranging the new January-to-April Schedule in order to give our teams as many games as possible for the remainder of the Indoor Season.
We trust that the new Government of Alberta restrictions, coupled with recent vaccine development will allow all of us to resume a much normal activity come 2021.
In the meantime, stay safe, take care of each other and try to enjoy this Modified Christmas Season.
Best wishes,
Dragos Niculescu
General Manager
Update from EMSA league - Nov 26, 2020
As per AHS, EMSA cannot have any league games until possibly December 16th. We will not be cancelling the rest of the season outright (there are some rumors floating around out there). We are still hoping to have as many games played of the season as possible when we are cleared to do so.
Update via RAMP Nov. 26, 2020
As per yesterday's Alberta Heath Services (AHS) COVID-19 update, the ban on indoor team sports has been extended a further three weeks. In accordance with Alberta's targeted health measures, all Fort Sask Soccer indoor activities will be suspended until Dec 18. This includes all Timbit and Arsenal practices and games. Indoor soccer activities will resume on Dec 19 if permitted. We will keep you apprised of any updates as we receive them.
For more information on todays announcement see https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx
Update via RAMP Nov 12, 2020
As per today's Alberta Heath Services (AHS) COVID-19 update, there is a ban on indoor group fitness classes and team sports from Nov 13-27. In accordance with Alberta's targeted health measures, all Fort Sask Soccer indoor activities will be suspended starting Nov 13 until Nov 27. This includes all Timbit and Arsenal practices and games. Indoor soccer activities will resume on Nov 28 if permitted. We will keep you apprised of any updates as we receive them.
Please note, all practices and EMSA games scheduled for tonight, Nov 12 will proceed as planned.
For more information on todays announcement see https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx
