March 13, 2020

Dear Members:

Yesterday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services   (MDHHS)   and the health departments in Ingham, Kent, Montcalm, Oakland, St. Clair, and Washtenaw counties announced 10 adults tested presumptive positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This brings the state total of COVID-19 cases to 12.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered the closure of all K-12 school buildings, public, private, and boarding, to students starting Monday, March 16, 2020 through Sunday, April 5, 2020. In addition, the World Health Organization   (WHO)   has characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic.

Thus, effective immediately, the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) is suspending all of our soccer activities* and all MSYSA sanctioned tournaments and affiliated activities through Sunday, April 5, 2020.   With the increasing number of cases of the COVID-19 virus being reported in the State of Michigan and around the world, our main priority is the safety and well-being of our players, team officials, and referees.   Thus, this is not just a soccer decision, but a public health decision.

·       MSYSA State Cup

·       MSYSA Junior State Cup 

·       MSYSA Director's Academy

·       Michigan State Premier Soccer Program (MSPSP)

·       MSYSA Olympic Development Program (ODP)

·       MSYSA Olympic Development Program 101

·       MSYSA Coach Education Courses

 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently posted and disseminated   'Interim Recommendations for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Community Mitigation Strategies.'   PLEASE REVIEW.   The MDHHS interim recommendations for COVID-19 apply to all individual, organizational, and community levels. These apply to businesses, workplaces, schools, community organizations, health care institutions, and individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and health profiles. A few of the interim recommendations include avoiding large gatherings (e.g., greater than 100 people in shared space) or moving to smaller and staggered gatherings, following basic personal-hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus to others, and staying home when you are sick.

This is a rapidly evolving matter. The MSYSA Office Staff will continue to be available to you during this time, primarily through email. Future updates will be provided on our website and through our social media channels. For those seeking information on   US Youth Soccer   programming or   US Soccer   programming, please visit their respective websites and social media channels. Please share this information with teams, clubs, leagues, family, friends, and co-workers through your various communication platforms (e.g., websites, social media, email distributions, etc.).

Thank you for your understanding, flexibility, and patience during these unprecedented times.

Sincerely,

Thomas Faro

Executive Director

Michigan State Youth Soccer Association