The following is an open letter from the executive of the Ramara Soccer Club:
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Dear soccer players, families, local businesses, coaches, volunteers and referees:
We have missed you and hope you are all staying safe and healthy! The Ramara Soccer Club (RSC) has been working hard to find a way to have a safe, fun and organized soccer season for you this year. We know what a big part we are of a lot of family’s summer routines.
By this time, we would have (normally) already hosted six walk-in registrations, our uniform order would have been placed and we would be well underway with planning and preparing for the season.
We have had many long discussions, and have attended several meetings with the Huronia District Soccer Association and Ontario Soccer. As you are likely aware, the Provincial Government and Public Health Units have released public health measures, protocols and advice pertaining to outdoor gatherings, sports and recreation.
Ontario Soccer has also released a ‘Return to Play’ document that all clubs must implement if they are to have any sort of season. The RSC understands this will be another year of disappointing news for our community of players and families, local businesses that have been assisting us for years by making our soccer season a success.
Unfortunately, at this time we will not be able to have a 2021 soccer season. It is the responsible decision to keep everyone safe, especially considering the recently implemented 28-day stay-at-home order. The health and safety of our community is our biggest priority.
It was an almost impossible task for our small group of dedicated volunteers to implement the required protocols and guidelines. We do not feel we would be able to provide a viable season without experiencing volunteer burn out.
The protocols and restrictions, while well crafted to keep all soccer participants safe, were just too challenging for our small volunteer-run club to successfully implement and manage throughout the season.
Please know this was a difficult decision for us; after careful consideration and ongoing discussions of the required public health and Ontario Soccer protocols we are just not able to work something out. We did not want to try to offer a season and risk it not being safe or organized. We pride ourselves in providing the best soccer experience for our soccer community.
If there are any players or sponsors that had left their registrations with us for a 2021 season, if you would like a refund of your fees, please reach out to us at [email protected]. You are also welcome to leave your registration and/or sponsor fees with us; we will honour them for the 2022 season. Feel free to reach out to us to discuss options.
Thank you again for your loyalty and for supporting the Ramara Soccer Club for all these years. We are hoping to see you on the field next year when it is safe to do so. Please consider volunteering your time in any way possible.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and of course our website, we will post any updates or news there.
Click on this link explaining the protocols from Ontario Soccer.
