Contact:
Kira DeLanoy
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Springbrook
105 Campus Drive
Oneonta, New York 13820
Phone: 607-286-7171 Ext. 287
Email:
delanoyk@springbrookny.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 2021
Springbrook to Host Tryouts for Special Olympics Soccer Team
Oneonta, NY: The Springbrook Scorpions Special Olympics soccer team will once again host tryouts on August 4th and 5th from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, after canceling last season due to COVID-19 safety concerns and restrictions. The soccer tryouts and participation on the team are free and open to the public as long as all protocols are met. Tryouts will be held at The School at Springbrook’s soccer field on the organization’s main campus at 105 Campus Drive in Oneonta, NY.
Interested athletes do not need to receive services from Springbrook to participate. This opportunity is available to any athletes eight years of age and older who an agency or medical professional has identified as having an intellectual disability; or have a cognitive delay as determined by standardized measures; or have significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delays which require, or have required, specially-designed instruction.
Special Olympics New York has established a Return to Activities plan developed in close partnership with Special Olympics International and in compliance with federal and state guidelines. Currently, Special Olympics is in the Green Phase (low risk), which means:
Onsite Screening: If you have any signs of illness, you may not participate.
Masks: Strongly recommended for ALL participants; All unvaccinated individuals must wear masks at all times, except during rigorous exercise. Masks must be worn in the vans by everyone at all times. If you are vaccinated, and we do not have proof, you are considered unvaccinated. While at any Special Olympics event, you may be asked to wear a mask at any time.
Distancing: Take active measures to distance outside of sports activities.
Travel: All participants must be from a low transmission area or be vaccinated. If traveling by air or train, it is strongly recommended that a negative COVID-19 PCR test be obtained before attending the event. Individuals with positive results are instructed not to attend.
Accommodations: Up to 4 individuals may share a room if ALL individuals in the room are vaccinated. Max of 2 per room if one individual is unvaccinated. Otherwise, individuals sharing a room must live in the same household.
Athletes, coaches, and volunteers do not need to be screened before each practice but must be symptom-free (this is subject to change). It is recommended that everyone wear a mask, but it is mandatory for not fully vaccinated individuals. Those that are fully vaccinated need to provide coaches with proof of vaccination. The proof will come in the form of a copy of the vaccination card, a screenshot of the Excelsior pass, or a medical verification from their doctor. This proof needs to be submitted in conjunction with the individual’s medical forms listed below. Please note that these guidelines come from Special Olympics International, not Special Olympics New York, so they are not at liberty to change them. In addition, athletes will need to have an updated and current medical registration form on file, a signed COVID code of conduct/risk assessment form, and a signed COVID-19 waiver, all of which are attached. Please have all the forms filled out, signed by the appropriate people, and sent to Jonathan Philby at the below email address, or submit the documents on the first day of tryouts.
For more information regarding tryouts for the Springbrook Special Olympics Soccer Team, email Jonathan Philby at philbyj@springbrookny.org.
Forms can be found below:
