DUSL will begin to play games this month in accordance with State, County, and City guidelines. The requirements for "Return to Play" involve actions from local soccer clubs, teams, coaches, players, and spectators. These guidelines vary, depending on the requirements of each individual city. Below are the guidelines for spectators that wish to attend matches in the city of Dublin.

• All spectators are required to wear face masks
• All spectators are required to maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet while watching games
• Spectator groups should only be comprised of immediate household members. Do not combine your seating area with members of other households
• DUSL will require that Dublin spectators sit on the same side of the field as their coach and team. This means the opposing team and their parents will sit on the opposite side of the field from the Dublin team and spectators. SEE SEATING CHART ABOVE
• At Fallon Sports Park Dublin teams and Dublin spectators will sit on the inside portion of the fields. Opposing teams will sit in the area closest to the sidewalks.

While we understand these guidelines are not convenient, they are required for us to have a safe transition to playing games. We hope that these restrictions will ease over the next couple months. 

DUSL Members, we now have recreational games. 

DUSL has offered games to all recreational players, and for those players that elected to take advantage of this opportunity, they will begin playing games this weekend. It’s the first weekend this 2020/2021 soccer season, that both competitive and recreational teams are playing the same weekend. Games will be played at Fallon Sports Park with referees, spectators and coaches on the sidelines.

Having watched a couple weeks of competitive games, it is extremely fulfilling to see the players back on the pitch. The joy that you see in players as they go head-to-head with opponents, is wonderful. We hope that you can come out to watch the matches this weekend. 

As a reminder to all members, spectator rules that comply to county and city guidelines are listed below and can also be found on the DUSL website. 

This Friday, DUSL will host its first soccer matches since the 2020 state shutdown.

2009Boys

2010Boys

2011Boys

Each of these teams will play West Coast Soccer on Friday at Fallon Sports Park starting at 4:30pm. 

DUSL wants to welcome our players back to the pitch!

Just in time for the 2020/2021 season, on Friday afternoon California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that youth sports would be permitted to begin playing games....

While the guidelines for the "Return to Play" have been released, we do expect these guidelines to be fluid and will change weekly. Due to the  accessibility to vaccinations improving each week, the state health department has determined that "Return to Play" should be allowed. 

NorCal has developed "Return to Play Events"  that will allow teams to play matches starting April 1. 

DUSL has been preparing for this event, and we are working with NorCal, Dublin Referees Association, and the City of Dublin to ensure a smooth transition back to playing games.

Your coaches will be given all the necessary information for the "Return to Play" on upcoming Zoom Calls. Club Members can direct any inquiries directly to their coaches. In addition DUSL will host a TownHall Meeting on Saturday February 27 to cascade as much information as possible. 

DUSL intends to enroll all competitive teams in the NorCal "Return to Play" events, as well as establish games for all recreational teams to play. We hope to have more details by Mid March.

Below is an excerpt from the official release from the state Governor and the "California Department of Public Health".

General Guidance for Youth and Adult Sports Participants, Coaches, and Support Staff 

It should be noted that local health departments and school districts may have stricter rules and should be consulted to confirm what is allowed.

General Requirements for All Sports:

Irrespective of setting (outdoor or indoor) case rate or sport played, the following general guidance requirements must be adhered to at all times:

• Face coverings to be worn when not participating in the activity (e.g., on the sidelines).
• Face coverings to be worn by coaches, support staff and observers at all times, and in compliance with the CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings.
• Observers maintain at least 6 feet from non-household members.
• No sharing of drink bottles and other personal items and equipment.
• Mixing with other households prior to and post any practice or competition must strictly adhere to current gathering guidance.
• Limit indoor sports activities (practice, conditioning) to comply with capacity limits (which shall include all athletes, coaches, and observers) indicated in current CDPH Gym & Fitness Center Guidance Capacity.
• Associated indoor activities for the team (e.g., dinners, film study) are prohibited if engaged in competition given evidence that transmission is more likely to occur in these indoor higher risk settings.
• Teams must not participate in out-of-state games and tournaments; several multistate outbreaks have been reported around the nation, including California residents. 

Limitations on Observers

• Limit observation of youth sports (age 18 years and under) to immediate household members, and for the strict purpose of age appropriate supervision.  This includes observation of practice and competition.  Limit number of observers to ensure physical distance can be maintained, reduce potential crowding, and maintain indoor and outdoor capacity limits. 
• Consider Video streaming of games so that they can be watched "live" from home
• For adult sports, spectators are not permitted at this time.

Limitations for Inter-Team Competitions and Tournaments

• Inter-team competitions, meets, races, or similar events are permitted to occur only if (a) both teams are located in the same county and the sport is authorized in the Tables below; or (b) teams are located in immediately bordering counties and the sport is authorized in both counties in the Tables below.  
  • The county-based authorizations outlined in the Table below apply to the locations/counties in which the teams, schools, clubs, leagues, and similar organizations are functionally based (e.g., where the players reside, where facilities are located, etc.). 
  • Local Health Departments to be notified of any cross county competitions within their jurisdiction and reserve the right under their own discretion to deny the competition at any time in their jurisdiction.  Teams participating in cross county competitions will follow the more stringent rules if the participating teams are coming from counties that may be at different case rate thresholds.  
• Teams adhere to current CDPH Travel Advisory recommendations when determining travel for competition in neighboring counties.  
• No tournaments or events that involve more than two teams to occur. Exceptions may be made, with authorization from the local health department where the event is being held and each of the local health departments where teams originate from, for sports where individual competitors from multiple teams are routine such as: track and field; cross-country; golf; skiing/snowboarding; tennis; swimming/diving/surfing; biking and equestrian events. 
• Only one competition, per team, per day maximum to be played. 

Permitted Youth and Recreational Adult Sports by Case Rate Threshold

• Physical conditioning, practice, skill-building, and training that can be conducted outdoors, with 6 feet of physical distancing, and within stable cohorts are authorized regardless of case rate or sport. Such activities may be conducted indoors consistent with restrictions by Tier in the Gym & Fitness Center Guidance Capacity.

Other General Guidance

Below are other general guidance that are strongly encouraged as part of any participation in sport.  Depending on risk level (high or moderate) and county case rates, these general guidance may be required for play of outdoor sports in less restrictive tiers, as specified below.

Face Coverings

• Face coverings worn by participants during practice, conditioning and during competition, even during heavy exertion as tolerated.  See the American Academy of Pediatrics Interim Guidance on Return to Sports [1] for specific exceptions where the face covering may become a hazard. 

Physical Distancing

• Maintain at least six feet of distance between sport participants and others to the maximum extent possible, including when on the sidelines. 
• Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between coaches and participants and facilitate physical distancing between participants to the maximum extent possible (e.g., staggered starts instead of mass starts for races).

Informed Consent

• Due to the nature and risk of transmission while participating in Outdoor High-Contact and Moderate-Contact sports, provide information regarding risk to all parents/guardians of minors participating in such sports, and have each parent sign an informed consent indicating their understanding and acknowledgement of the risks indicated herein.

Testing

• Unless required as noted below, regular and postseason antigen or PCR testing of sports participants and coaches weekly while participating in Outdoor High-Contact sports is strongly encouraged.  If competing, testing performed with test results made available within 24 hours of play.

Hygiene and Equipment Sanitation

• When equipment is shared during an activity, participants perform hand hygiene (wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer) before play, during breaks, at half time, and after the conclusion of the activity.
  • Balls or other objects or equipment can be touched by multiple players during practice and play if the above hand hygiene practices are followed.

Limitations on Mixing by Participants

• Limit participation by athletes and coaches during practice and competition to one team, and refrain from participating with more than one team over the same season or time period. For larger teams, limit mixing by establishing stable smaller training groups for drills and conditioning. 
• Review practice or game footage virtually, to the greatest extent possible.  If not feasible, then it should be conducted outdoors, with all participants wearing face coverings and following appropriate physical distancing measures.

Indoor Venue Capacity Limitations

• Ventilation in indoor venues (gyms or other fitness centers) increased to the maximum extent possible.

Travel Considerations

• Bus/van travel for members of a team may pose a greater risk. To mitigate COVID-19 transmission risk during bus/van travel, employ universal masking, physical distancing and windows to remain open the full duration of the trip unless not feasible.  
• Plan for proper communication of all travel rules, protocols and expectations to everyone in the travel party. When feasible, teams should aim to travel and play the same day to avoid overnight stays.
• Travel by private car limited to only those within the immediate household.

Returning to Sports After Infection

• No one with symptoms of COVID-19 or who is in isolation or quarantine for COVID-19 is permitted to attend practices or competitions. 
• Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should consult their physician for testing and notify their coach, athletic trainer and/or school administrator of their symptoms and test results.
• Youths recovering from COVID-19 will have different paths to return to sports based on the severity of their illness.  See the American Academy of Pediatrics Interim Guidance on Return to Sports [1] for additional guidance for more serious infections.

Vaccination of Eligible Households 

• Sports participants, including coaches and support staff, are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated once eligible as vaccines will protect residents and reduce the likelihood of transmission from infected persons to others. 
   

Table: Youth and Adult Recreational Sports* Permitted by Current Tier of County

*Play in Less Restrictive Tiers: Outdoor High-Contact Sports

Outdoor high-contact sports (orange tier) can be played in the purple or red tier with an adjusted case rate equal to or less than 14 per 100,000 under the following conditions:

Implement and strictly adhere to the following additional general guidance:

• Informed Consent
• Testing – antigen or PCR (regular and postseason antigen or PCR testing of sports participants and coaches weekly.  If competing, testing performed with test results made available within 24 hours of play)

Note: The testing requirement above shall only apply in the following situations:

• For football, rugby and water polo as these are high contact sports that are likely to be played unmasked, with close, face to face contact exceeding 15 minutes.
• When adjusted case rates for the county are between 14-7 per 100,000.
• For sport participants 13 years of age or above as evidence shows that younger children do not seem to be major sources of transmission—either to each other or to adults.
• *If more than 50% of a team's participants are less than the age of 13 (and are not required to test per the above), then the entire team is exempted from the testing requirement.  Coaches, however, will still be required to meet the testing requirement.

Additional general guidance that should be implemented to the greatest extent possible and are strongly encouraged

• Face Coverings (during play)
• Physical Distancing (during play)
• Testing – antigen or PCR
• Hygiene and Sanitation
• Limitations on mixing by participants
• Travel Considerations

*Play in Less Restrictive Tiers: Outdoor Moderate-Contact Sports

Outdoor moderate-contact sports (red tier) can be played in the purple tier with an adjusted case rate equal to or less than 14 per 100,000 under the following conditions:

Implement and strictly adhere to the following additional general guidance:

• Informed Consent

Additional general guidance that should be implemented to the greatest extent possible and are strongly encouraged

• Face Coverings (during play)
• Physical Distancing (during play)
• Hygiene and Sanitation
• Limitations on mixing by participants
• Travel Considerations

If competition for high- and moderate-contact sports is permitted to resume in a county pursuant to this updated guidance, competition is not required to cease if the county's adjusted case rate exceeds the 14 per 100,000 threshold. 

DUSL will soon be ending the Winter break and we are looking forward to seeing all players back on the field. Starting week #1 in February, DUSL will have all fields available for returning players and our coaches are ready to resume sessions.

In preparation for the restart all players should be resuming personal training and conditioning. On the training tab of our DUSL website are hundreds of videos, outlining self training and conditioning drills that players can utilize now before we restart our season.

In the coming weeks, coaches will be reaching out to players and teams with details, so be on the look out for these communications from your coaches. 

DUSL will be bringing the United Kingdom coaches back for the 2021 season. DUSL has come to an agreement with UKI to return coaches Amy, Rhys, and Matt for the  2021 season. these fantastic coaches will spearhead key camps, and events as well as coach their assigned competitive teams. 

Welcome back coaches!

DUSL would like to thank Al Albarran and Brandon Flickner for their tireless work and efforts during their time as DUSL board members. Both members have stepped away from the board of directors but will continue to serve the club in other capacities as we enter the 2021 season. 

Thank you Al and Brandon

All Players that want to be considered for 2020/2021 Competitive or Select Teams must Register for Player Placements

There is a $50 player placement deposit that will be applied to your Competitive or Select Team Registration fee when you are assigned to a team and asked to register for the program.

https://www.gotsport.com/asp/application/reg/?ProgramID=88419

Registration is now open for the 2020 Recreation League and Jr Shamrock. Register your player today by following the steps listed below. This is for the NON-COMPETITIVE recreational level players. 

Recreation and Jr Shamrock Registration Process

We are working to improve the volunteer deposit process this year and we have adjusted our registration process. There will be a few steps to the registration process this year.

Step 1– Register for Dublin United Soccer League and pay the Volunteer deposit. A $150 volunteer deposit is required per DUSL family. The new process will allow you to register using your family account and the system will only charge you one deposit per family. It will allow you to opt out for the volunteer deposit for additional children for any program. During the initial registration, you will be required to upload a picture of your player. This will be used for any required player credentials and allows us to keep updated pictures for all players every year.

https://www.gotsport.com/asp/application/reg/?ProgramID=87979

After your initial Dublin United Soccer League Registration, you will receive an email with additional instructions; 

DUSL requires that you upload you player birth certificate or passport to GotSocccer. This will assist us with verifying player ages for team placement and any required player credentials. This is the most secure way for us to collect the required proof of birth.

Step 2- Then you will need to register for your desired program. The email will contain links to the Recreation Program or the Jr Shamrock program depending on the age of your player. You will not be able to register for these programs until the initial registration is completed for each player.

Recreation Program – Birth Year 2012-2002

https://www.gotsport.com/asp/application/reg/?ProgramID=88417

Jr Shamrock Program – Birth Year 2016-2013

https://www.gotsport.com/asp/application/reg/?ProgramID=88418

Step 3– During registration you must agree to the new 2020 Family Parent Player Agreement. The actual agreement can be found on the website on the following page;

https://www.dublinsoccer.org/admin

If you are interested in ordering protective headbands for your player, please visit the Force Field website

http://www.forcefieldheadbands.com

COVID-19 Update - Alameda County

http://www.acphd.org/2019-ncov.aspx

California State COVID-19 Updates

https://covid19.ca.gov

COVID-19 Update - CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html