RBSRA hopes that our Berks referee family is healthy and weathering the COVID-19 measures as best you can.
It's a difficult time. Please stay informed and safe.
It's a difficult time. Please stay informed and safe.
EPYSA MEMOS - November 21, 2020 and December 8, 2020
To: All Members, Affiliates and Families
From: Chris Branscome, Chief Executive Officer
CC: Board of Directors
Date: 21 November 2020
RE: COVID 19 Advisory- UPDATED Masking
The Pennsylvania Department of Health amended its masking order from November 17 regarding exemptions for athletes. Please read the order in its entirely as well as the FAQ’s on the website. The exemption addresses that an athlete may remove their mask during play if the mask causes a medical condition, including a respiratory condition that impedes breathing.
The amendments are in effect for all competitions tomorrow, Sunday November 22.
The Department of Health asks that everyone makes best efforts to wear face coverings during athletic activities. All coaches and substitutes must wear face coverings. Game officials should wear face coverings, but the exemptions may also apply, particularly to center referees.
Coaches and players should consult with their organization leadership to address any appropriate club policy.
To: All Members, Affiliates and Families
From: Chris Branscome, Chief Executive Officer
CC: Board of Directors
Date: 8 December 2020
RE: COVID 19 Advisory- Winter Season and Indoor events
As the fall outdoor season is completed for most and winding down for few, we must address the winter season. We’ve been fortunate to have a moderate November, but temperatures will be dropping. Outdoor play will be less tolerable. If you continue to play outdoors, please consult cold weather training recommendations from US Soccer.
Given the restrictions on indoor gatherings and the continued rise of infections, we will not be sanctioning any indoor tournaments until further notice. This applies to indoor soccer and futsal. The very nature of a tournament and the number of people gathering in a facility and waiting between games is far from ideal or safe conditions. To be clear, this applies to tournaments only. Unfortunately, for the first time in over 25 years, we will not be hosting the annual Indoor Cup.
Teams and clubs may still train indoors, but they must comply with Department of Health standards and orders, as well as the facility’s restrictions. Be aware that it is likely that the number of available facilities will be low. School districts and other public facilities and rec centers remain closed to the public or will not rent to outside organizations.
Private facilities that operate leagues may still be open. However, we do not, nor have we ever, sanctioned those facilities for their in-house leagues. Eastern Pennsylvania’s insurance policies do not cover your teams at unsanctioned events. You need to consult your local facility for their safety protocols and standards. Facilities we are in contact with are taking this quite seriously and are required to follow Department of Health guidelines.
Be advised that as of December 1, the state of Delaware is prohibiting out of state players from entering its tournaments and their players from attending out of state tournaments. The Delaware Youth Soccer Association is prohibiting games or travel across state lines. As of December 5, the state of New Jersey is prohibiting all indoor youth and adult sports activities until further notice.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health amended its travel order on November 25, that travel out if the state for 24 hours or less does not require quarantine or testing. Given the orders of our neighboring states, please give careful consideration before traveling. Please be aware that these orders guidelines may be amended at any time. We will continue to monitor and alert you as we become aware.
From: Chris Branscome, Chief Executive Officer
CC: Board of Directors
Date: 21 November 2020
RE: COVID 19 Advisory- UPDATED Masking
The Pennsylvania Department of Health amended its masking order from November 17 regarding exemptions for athletes. Please read the order in its entirely as well as the FAQ’s on the website. The exemption addresses that an athlete may remove their mask during play if the mask causes a medical condition, including a respiratory condition that impedes breathing.
- All alternatives should be exhausted before an individual is exempted
- If the sport, equipment, or exertion level does not allow for face covering to be worn safely then the athlete should not wear a face covering
- Proof of a condition or disability is not required
The amendments are in effect for all competitions tomorrow, Sunday November 22.
The Department of Health asks that everyone makes best efforts to wear face coverings during athletic activities. All coaches and substitutes must wear face coverings. Game officials should wear face coverings, but the exemptions may also apply, particularly to center referees.
Coaches and players should consult with their organization leadership to address any appropriate club policy.
To: All Members, Affiliates and Families
From: Chris Branscome, Chief Executive Officer
CC: Board of Directors
Date: 8 December 2020
RE: COVID 19 Advisory- Winter Season and Indoor events
As the fall outdoor season is completed for most and winding down for few, we must address the winter season. We’ve been fortunate to have a moderate November, but temperatures will be dropping. Outdoor play will be less tolerable. If you continue to play outdoors, please consult cold weather training recommendations from US Soccer.
Given the restrictions on indoor gatherings and the continued rise of infections, we will not be sanctioning any indoor tournaments until further notice. This applies to indoor soccer and futsal. The very nature of a tournament and the number of people gathering in a facility and waiting between games is far from ideal or safe conditions. To be clear, this applies to tournaments only. Unfortunately, for the first time in over 25 years, we will not be hosting the annual Indoor Cup.
Teams and clubs may still train indoors, but they must comply with Department of Health standards and orders, as well as the facility’s restrictions. Be aware that it is likely that the number of available facilities will be low. School districts and other public facilities and rec centers remain closed to the public or will not rent to outside organizations.
Private facilities that operate leagues may still be open. However, we do not, nor have we ever, sanctioned those facilities for their in-house leagues. Eastern Pennsylvania’s insurance policies do not cover your teams at unsanctioned events. You need to consult your local facility for their safety protocols and standards. Facilities we are in contact with are taking this quite seriously and are required to follow Department of Health guidelines.
Be advised that as of December 1, the state of Delaware is prohibiting out of state players from entering its tournaments and their players from attending out of state tournaments. The Delaware Youth Soccer Association is prohibiting games or travel across state lines. As of December 5, the state of New Jersey is prohibiting all indoor youth and adult sports activities until further notice.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health amended its travel order on November 25, that travel out if the state for 24 hours or less does not require quarantine or testing. Given the orders of our neighboring states, please give careful consideration before traveling. Please be aware that these orders guidelines may be amended at any time. We will continue to monitor and alert you as we become aware.
TIm Snyder is the assignor for the leagues that have teams in the Berks area. Tim uses GameOfficials for his assigning, so you will need to join his GameOfficials Group to work with him.
REFEREE OPTIONS
2020-2021 LAWS of the GAME INFORMATION
EPSARC and US Soccer have added some documents, including "simplified" comments regarding the new LOTG changes and clarifications, key Offside considerations, and analysis of Match Situations. Click the buttons, below, to read them.
YOUTH REFEREE PROFILES
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THIS COULD BE YOU!!!!!!!!
Do you recognize the guy on the left? This is Josh Encarnacion! Some of us have had a chance to officiate with him in PA games and tournaments. The Glenolden resident had the honor of being the Center Referee in the National finals game and is now an MLS Referee. He is third from the left in the below image taken just before his debut as the fourth official in the DC United v Toronto match. Josh is a great inspiration to young referees, as he began his journey not too long ago. He worked his way up through the Eastern PA mentoring program and became the Youth Referee of the Year in 2015. Josh is a graduate of West Chester University. Please reach out to your mentor, buddy, or RBSRA to find out more about RBSRA mentoring and/or the mentoring program that EPSARC offers. The sky is the limit...... |
SOME NOTES FROM THE ASSOCIATION
- RBJSL has switched their website and procedures back to their ORIGINAL website. Please save www.rbjsl.org to your preferences and stand by!!
- RBSRA highly recommends that all officials purchase a GREEN alternate jersey, to add to your yellow one. It's good to have a second color, if you are doing three-man games and tournaments. You will find that you'll use it more than a red or blue jersey and it will give a three-man crew the flexibility to use a second color that everyone has.