Is the US the Only Ones Worried About Their Season? How to Keep the Game Going and Reduce Stress with BetterHelp

Is the US the Only Ones Worried About Their Season: How to Keep the game going and Reduce Stress with BetterHelp

Soccer seasons across the United States are either being postponed or cancelled this fall, thanks to COVID fears. Parents of players, and players themselves, are questioning whether they will have a 2020 season or if it will be yet another sport hindered by the worldwide pandemic.

Spring baseball and summer recreation activities came to a screeching halt in many towns and states across the nation. Now American Football, also called Soccer, maybe on the chopping block due to exposure issues of the novel virus.

Since many schools are modifying their programs, with some students attending classes completely online, some participating in a hybrid school year, and others having all in-person schooling, it is no wonder that the safety of sports is also being questioned.

Some people are wondering, is the US the only ones worried about their season, or are other countries grappling with the same challenging decisions?

Why are Sports Necessary?

Sports programs are an important element to the health of children all around the world. Organized sports offers lessons in teamwork, competition, physical fitness, and sportsmanship, just to name a few of the benefits.

High school students who play sports sometimes depend on these programs as a way to earn scholarships for their college education. If sports are cancelled, many wonder if they will be able to afford college at all.

These students upset by the cancelled season may become depressed, especially if their college ambitions are associated with being able to play the game.

What is happening with Professional Soccer in Other Countries?

The sports season in other countries has also been compromised due to COVID fear and regulations. Football or American Soccer in other countries and regions has been notably affected this year. In the Spring, the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) was scheduled to be played from June 4 to June 7.

However, it has been suspended with no new date for the Nations League Finals. Finding a feasible venue is at the top of the list for issues needing to be resolved.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also postponed their African Champions League playoffs, originally scheduled for May, until further notice due to COVID concerns and travel lockdowns in many countries.

The Euro 2020 tournaments, which is comprised of 24 teams, as well as the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), with 12 teams, has been postponed for one year and are now schedule to be played in 2021. 

Added to the list of postponed seasons or events include:

• FIFA
• The Asian Football Confederation
• Chinese Professional Leagues
• Japanese Professional Leagues
• Euro Women’s Championship
• Dutch Football League

What States in America Have Imposed Soccer Restrictions?

With students across the United States doing school is a variety of distant learning, hybrid learning, and in-person schooling, sports programs are seeing cancellations for the 2020 season. While some states have imposed postponing regulations on sports teams and play, other states have cancelled organized sports altogether.

While private soccer clubs fall under a different set of rules, school extracurricular programs are putting sports on the chopping block for fear of COVID transmission.

Some states have pushed back their soccer season slightly for 2020. Others have postponed their season until the Spring 2021 or cancelled it altogether. These states include: 

• California – postponed
• Colorado – postponed
• Connecticut Founders League (pre-schools) – cancelled
• Delaware – postponed
• Illinois – postponed
• Maryland – postponed
• Nevada – postponed with a shortened season
• New Mexico – postponed
• Oregon – postponed
• Washington – postponed

What Countries are Imposing Restriction on High School Soccer?

Many countries are grappling with the decision to postpone or cancel their high school soccer program. Since so many students depend on sports to get into college or with financial aid assistance, no one wants to cut the sports season short or cancel it, but the reality is that in some parts of the world, there is little choice.

France has postponed both their youth and adult soccer league seasons for 2020. Other countries are carefully weighing their options for all youth sports.

American football, and volleyball, are highly contentious battlegrounds. Since both these sports require players to be within close proximity to one another during practices, weight training, and gameplay, many decisions are being made at the local level versus the national or country level, based on current transmission rates and COVID data.

While the inconsistency of rules is frustrating, it is the best many governments are able to do; they do not want to see new spikes in COVID rates for being too lenient. For more information, click here.

What Should I Do If My Child Cannot Play?

Some families are struggling with the rules and restrictions when it comes to Soccer for the 2020 year. While it can be frustrating, authorities on the subject are attempting to make the best decision for the majority of teams.

If you find that your player is getting depressed because they cannot play a sport read more here about what you can do to help them manage their anger and frustration.