MBA COVID-19 PREPARATION PLAN

UPDATED:  October 21, 2020

This Montgomery Basketball Association Preparation Plan has been prepared based on “Guidance for Sports Activities” published by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), relevant Executive Orders issued by the NJ State Governor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidance on Youth Sports, and in consultation with the Montgomery Township Health Department. As information and guidance changes, this Plan will also change. 

The State of NJ has categorized basketball as a medium risk contact sport.  Under an Executive Order issued on October 12, 2020, Governor Murphy allowed contact practices and games to resume in indoor settings.  All indoor practices and games are subject to the current indoor gathering limit, which currently limits attendance to 25% of room capacity or 25 persons maximum, whichever is less.  There is one exception to this rule:  if the number of individuals who are necessary for practice or games, such as athletes, coaches and referees, is more than 25, the practice or game may proceed if spectators and other unnecessary persons are prohibited.  Even if this exception applies, the number of individuals at the practice or game cannot exceed 25% room capacity, capped at 150 persons. 

MBA Points of Contact:
Laura Leacy Kyler, President

Laura Buckley, M.D., MBA Board Member

Steve Donahue, VP Travel

Amy Vannozzi, Sean Murray - Travel Directors

Travel teams

Tryout-outs for travel teams were completed outdoors at Van Horne Park in September.  Starting November 1, 2020, travel team practices will be held indoors, although we encourage teams to practice outdoors at the coach’s discretion as weather permits.  League games/tournaments are to be determined based on the above-referenced state rules and regulations. 

Recreation teams

We are currently exploring options for a winter recreation season and information will be provided as soon as it is available.  Timing for the start of the indoor winter season is still to be determined based on the above referenced state rules and regulations as well as indoor gym availability, but is unlikely to be before January 2021.  We hope to make a decision on rec basketball by the end of November. 

Health and Safety Protocols for Travel Tryouts and Practices

Social Distancing Guidelines/Face Coverings

• All MBA Board members, travel directors and volunteer coaches will help remind coaches/parents/players/spectators of social distancing guidelines and health and safety protocols. 
• Individuals should remain at least 6 feet apart from one another whenever possible.
• All coaches must wear cloth face coverings or disposable masks.
• Players are not required to wear a face covering when engaging in vigorous activity on the basketball court, but they are welcome to do so if that is their preference. When players are not engaged in activity on the basketball court (such as sitting on the sideline or bench, walking to or from the court) players should wear face coverings if they cannot maintain social distance. 
• All parents/guardians/adults who are dropping off or picking up players should wear a face covering if indoors and outdoors if they cannot maintain social distance.

Compliance with CDC/NJDOH Guidelines:

• All players/parents and coaches will be required to sign an acknowledgment that they have read and are familiar with CDC/NJDOH Guidelines on COVID-19. 
• All players/parents will be required to sign a COVID-19 acknowledgment and waiver form when they complete registration.  No player will be allowed to participate in practice until registration is completed.
• All players and coaches will be required to complete a same-day health questionnaire prior to participation in each practice/game.
• Any individual who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19 will not be permitted to participate in any MBA activity until such time as they are permitted to return to play pursuant to applicable CDC/NJDOH Guidelines.
• Any individual who has had close contact with a person with COVID-19 will not be allowed to participate in any MBA activity until such time as they are permitted to return to play pursuant to applicable CDC/NJDOH Guidelines.
• Any individual (including coaches, players, or parents/family members) who has traveled to a state subject to the Tri-State Travel Advisory List within 14 days of the tryout or practice will not be allowed to participate in any MBA activity for the duration of the required quarantine period.
• The MBA will cooperate with the Montgomery Township Health Department on contact tracing.

Upon arrival at practices/games

• Before arrival, please utilize good hygiene practices and wash hands
• Hand sanitizer will be offered to each player
• Each player should bring his/her own water bottle/drink to each practice.
• Each player should bring his/her own basketball to each practice. 

Conduct during practices/games

• In addition to NJDOH/CDC guidelines and this MBA Preparation Plan, all players, coaches, parents and spectators will abide by the rules/guidelines of each facility or gym where each practice or game is held.
• All coaches must wear face coverings when on the basketball court or addressing players
• No parents/spectators will be allowed at indoor practices.
• Players and coaches shall not share water bottles/drinks
• There shall be no handshakes, high-fives or team huddles
• Shared MBA basketballs will be wiped and sanitized in between practices