Frequently Asked Questions
What costs does the $180 fee cover?
When will games be played? How long are games?
How will teams be made?
Where and when will practices be held?
What are the current COVID protocols for ForeKicks
How many cases COVID cases has ForeKicks experienced during the pandemic?
Does ForeKicks have a mask mandate?
Is playing at ForeKicks as safe as playing outdoors (For COVID)?
Will the SSA provide a refund should there be another shutdown due to COVID?
Questions & Answers
What costs does the $180 fee cover?
The $180 fee covers:
1. League Fees
2. Practice Space
3. Coach Supplies
4. Transaction Charges
1. The ForeKicks’ League fee makes up the most significant part of our costs at around $1.3k a team.
2. While the league fees are variable by team, practice space is a relatively fixed cost which will be divided over the total number of teams enrolled. Indoor turf space is in short supply over the winter, especially at times that coaches desire to hold their practices. Space can run between $200 and $375 per hour. To get highly desired times at an economical rate, the SSA purchased a large block of practice space during the first three weeks of December. We may need to purchase additional space depending on total enrollment.
3. The SSA will provide supplies for coaches when needed. This includes first aid kits, ice packs, pinnies, balls, cones, and coach uniforms.
4. The SSA pays credit card and registration transaction charges for every player that signs-up through our SportsPilot system. An allocation for SSA overhead charges (Utilities, software, marketing, insurance, director of coaching services, etc...) is not included in this $180 fee.
When will games be played? How long are games?
ForeKicks games all have KOs on the hour. Different age / gender cohorts are assigned to different days of the week, per the information on our lead page (here). Teams are expected to be ready to play 5 minutes before KO. Each game has two 25 minutes halves and a brief half-time (Everything lasts about an hour).
How will teams be made?
Teams are expected to be largely built by our coaches, with the SSA board having final say on team formation (as we have a strong interest in placing all families on teams). Coaches can keep players that they recruit and largely are able to form teams that suit their needs. If a coach wants to build a team for talent, we want them to go for it. If they want to build a team with friends, all good. Players that are not well-known by our coaches will find advocacy and placement from the board using the information we have. Our goal is for everybody to have a great experience playing on a team with a coach that supports their individual development needs. We feel strongly that coaches know their players and are best positioned to get them excited about playing indoor soccer.
Where and when will practices be held?
At this time, the SSA has purchased practice time on high quality turf fields at two venues: Norfolk ForeKicks and Taunton ForeKicks. Based on the number of teams expected, we should be able to provide a minimum of three practices for each coach. Once teams are formed, coaches will let us know their preferences for practice time; after which the practice space will be allocated. If there is excess space, teams may get additional practices. The SSA will also identify and purchase additional practice space should our program become over-enrolled. The practice space we currently have under contract is reserved for weeknights and weekends during the first three weeks of December. All indoor practice length will be 60 minutes.
Depending on the weather and town permitting, we may be able to offer outdoor practice space on weekends in November. If we can offer outdoor practice space, the practice length can be more flexible and based on coach needs.
What are the current COVID protocols for ForeKicks
Below is a copy of the current ForeKicks COVID protocols along with their information on their indoor air system. ForeKicks has stated that they will update these protocols as conditions change and upon the guidance of the state.
How many cases COVID cases has ForeKicks experienced during the pandemic?
ForeKicks opened last summer after the shutdown and is coming out of one of their busiest years on record. ForeKicks has had no cases (ZERO cases) of COVID since the pandemic began and is committed to keeping COVID out of their business.
Does ForeKicks have a mask mandate?
ForeKicks operates their facilities in strict accordance with all state and local requirements. As there is currently no statewide or local mask mandate requiring masks inside their facilities, ForeKicks recommends the use of masks in their facility, but does not require their usage.
Is playing at ForeKicks as safe as playing outdoors (For COVID)?
While the airmass inside ForeKicks is very large and is recycled with outdoor air throughout the day and night, it is not the equivalent of outdoor play. That said, given the number of people in the facility at any one time along with the size of the recycled airmass, it is much more air per person than what is in a classroom or even your home. The risk of COVID spread is lower than many other indoor venues given the amount of air per person.
Will the SSA provide a refund should there be another shutdown due to COVID?
The SSA will provide a partial refund, the amount of which will depend on the costs incurred and the amounts that the SSA is able to recover from our vendors. We sincerely hope that we do not have another shutdown, but we will do our best to make families as whole as we can, should that a shutdown type of event occur again.