Plum Area Youth Soccer Club hosted a three-day tournament late last month with thousands of players and spectators - all while staying compliant with health department guidelines.

The 23rd annual Plum Kick-Off Classic took place Aug. 28-30 with 160 teams each with an average roster of 15 players.

Teams used 10 borough fields, five fields in Monroeville and seven in Murrysville to ensure proper social distancing and other covid-19 safety protocols to make it possible.

“We were looking to provide the kids an opportunity,” PAYSC President Fred Lucas said. “A lot of kids hadn’t played since October. They were shutdown all spring, all summer (due to the pandemic). This was their first chance to get back out at it.”

Lucas said he is unaware of anyone who has reported sick since the tournament. Parents were requested to do health screenings of their children prior to the games.

Mayor Harry Schlegel commended the soccer club for another successful tournament and presented Lucas with a Certificate of Achievement at the Sept. 14 Plum Council meeting.

“The hard work, dedication and team chemistry of the PAYS board, coaches, volunteers, parents and players have made this a premier soccer tournament, which showcases Plum as a stellar community and a wonderful place to live,” Schlegel said. “This tournament provides a venue for young athletes to demonstrate their talent, sportsmanship, athleticism and just have fun while competing and playing a game they enjoy.”

Some of the safety protocols for the tournament included limiting attendees to one parent/guardian per player with all spectators wearing masks and social distancing. There were roped-off entrances and exits and no concessions or other merchandise booths.

A 30-minute break was scheduled between games so teams could get on and off the fields with minimal contact, and closing ceremonies were shorter than normal.

Players were required to wear a mask or face covering and social distance when not actively participating.

Hand sanitizing stations were provided at all fields during the tournament.

Lucas said the club submitted a safety plan to the Allegheny County Health Department prior to the tournament but received no feedback.

“We spelled everything out for the county,” Lucas said. “If the county would have came to us and said, ‘Hey, listen, we don’t want you doing this.’ We wouldn’t have done it. We weren’t looking to fight city hall.”

Lucas lauded Monroeville Soccer Club, Murrysville Area Soccer Association and Plum Midget Football Association for their assistance with the tournament.

More than 200 teams participated in the event last year.

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