Shenandoah Valley United, Inc. > About SVU

Field Closure Policy

Field Closure Policy:

In case of inclement weather, Rockingham and Harrisonburg Parks and Rec departments will determine the closures of any fields, due to any unsafe conditions. SVU will make the announcement after we receive this confirmation.

This notification will go through bulk emails, Facebook page, or website's field availability space. We encourage all parents to check their emails continually, prior to attending games/practices to ensure they get any and all updates that may be sent out through emails, or Facebook posts.

In the event of open fields on days that may have inclement weather, we will ask all volunteer coaches to put into place the Inclement Weather Policies (below), and to use their best judgments. They will have the option to cancel any practices due to inclement weather.

We would also encourage parents to use your best judgment when driving in any inclement weather to and from games/practices. We want all of our SVU Families to feel safe while attending our events.

Inclement Weather Policy (Lightning and Severe Weather)

Inclement Weather Policy (Lightning and Severe Weather):

All members will be subject to the rules and guidelines provided. Inclement Weather is used to describe all of the following weather factors: Lightning, Thunder, and Hail. Outdoors is the most dangerous place to be during inclement weather. When lightning is seen, or thunder is heard, or when dark clouds are observed, quickly move indoors or into a hard topped vehicle and remain there until well after the storm ends. ALL Players and Family Members must clear the Field when games or practices have been called.

Signs Inclement Weather is approaching:

Dark Grey Clouds
Lightning
Thunder
Increased Wind Speed
Hail
Rain

Rules and Procedures

The following procedures/responsibilities will be followed when lightning or thunder is a threat.

Coaches and Parents should check the weather to know if there is a chance for inclement weather.
Coaches and/or parents should keep an eye to the sky. Look for darkening clouds and flashes of lightning. Pay close attention to the wind, as an increase may mean a storm front is approaching.
Parents should not leave practice or training area if inclement weather is a possibility.

The following procedures will be followed when lightning or thunder is present. This procedure should be put in motion upon hearing, or seeing lightning.

Clear the field or practice area as quickly as possible. Have players grab their equipment as quickly as possible (if there is an imminent threat, please have the players clear the field without their equipment)
Have players get into a building as quick as possible. If no building is available, please have them get into their parents or teammates cars as quick as possible.
If there are no buildings, or cars nearby, proceed to the lowest point in the area. Avoid any place with metal or tall objects. Do your best not to huddle in groups.

The following procedures will be followed when lightning and thunder have subsided. This procedure will be put in motion after the last sight of lightning or sound of thunder.

All activities must wait a mandatory 30 minutes from the last sight of lightning and/or the last sound of thunder. Every time you see lightning or hear thunder, you must wait 30 more minutes to resume your activity

When Should Training or Games be stopped?
In General, a significant lightning threat extends outward from the base of a thunderstorm cloud about 6 to 10 miles. Therefore, people should move to a safe place when a thunderstorm is 6 to 10 miles away. Also, the plan’s guidelines should account for the time it will take everyone to get to safety.

Goal Safety Policy

Goal Safety Policy:
Shenandoah Valley United places the utmost importance on the safety and well being of our players. We believe in making goal safety one of our highest priorities. As such, we have set some very high standards and enacted a plan to ensure that every precaution is taken when it comes to securing our goals.

Goal safety is a matter not only for club officials; it takes everyone to provide the safest possible environment for our players. In our efforts to provide the safest environment possible for our player, coaches official and spectators please note the following:

Ensure that goals are securely anchored at ALL times.
NEVER allow anyone to climb or hang on the net or goal framework at any time.
ALWAYS instruct players on the safe handling of and potential dangers associated with soccer goals.
NO goals should be moved, at any time by anyone, this includes but is not limited to coaches, players and spectators.
CHECK for structural integrity and proper connecting hardware before every use. Replace damaged or missing parts or fasteners as soon as possible.

If you discover an unsafe goal at any time, please re-anchor if possible, and immediately report it to the SVU Office @ 540-383-6341.

Cold Weather Policy

Cold Weather Policy:

Cold weather is defined as any temperature that can negatively affect the body’s regulatory system. It is important to remember that temperatures do not have to be freezing to have this effect. Individuals engaged in sports activities in cold, wet or windy conditions are at risk for environmental cold injuries.

Rules and Recommendations for Cold Weather Activities: RISK TEMP/ WIND CHILL RULES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Low Risk 40°F &above	Rules: -All Age groups are allowed to participate outside in allconditions	Recommendations: -Players wear appropriate clothing -Coaches use common sense with weather
Moderate Risk 40°F -30°F	Rules: -All Age Groups are allowed to participate outside -Players must have pants and jacket on to begin training - U4-U12 Must keep Jacket and Pants on throughTraining - U13 and above may use their discretion when Training	Recommendations: -All players have hats and gloves
High Risk 30°F -15°F	Rules: -U4-U12 may not train outside -U13 and Above must have jacket and pants on to train -All players must have hats and gloves -Outside Activities no longer than 1 hour	Recommendations -Provide Re-Warming Facilities
Extreme Risk 15°F or below	Rules: -No Outdoor Activities

Clothing

The Following Clothing guide-lines should be taken in to consideration by each player as they prepare to train outdoors in Cold Weather. It is important that athletes avoid wearing multiple layers of cotton. When the body sweats the cotton will become dense and permeated with sweat.

 Wear several layers around the core of the body (especially those who are not very active).	o The first layer should wick moisture away from the body (Dry Tech,Under Armour) o The top layers should trap heat and block the wind (fleece) o The Outer layer should be wind and water-resistant or waterproof o No cotton as inside layer.
 Long pants designed to insulate.	o Sweatpants are a good choice as a base layer o On windy or wet days wind pants or a nylon shell should be worn on thesurface layer
 Long sleeved garment that will break the wind
 Gloves,Hat to protect the ears (cover/tape ear holes of helmets for wind, cold protection)
 Face protection,Moisture wicking socks

Cold Weather Injuries/ Symptoms and Care

Hypothermia: Body Core Temperature below 95°F. Symptoms include: -Shivering -Lethargy, amnesia -Impaired motor control -Pale, cold face and extremities -Decreased heart rate -Slurred speech -Impaired mental function	Treatment: Remove wet clothing, warm with dry insulating blankets, cover the head, and get toa warm environment. Provide warm beverages, avoid friction, and avoid warming extremitiesinitially	Frost nip/Frostbite: Frostbite is actual freezing of body tissues. Symptoms include: -Dry, waxy skin -Swelling -Burning, tingling -Limited movement -White/blue/gray patches -Aching,throbbing, and shooting pain	Treatment: Re-warm slowly in warm water (not hot); avoid friction/rubbing tissue

Heat Index Policy

Heat Index Policy:

Heat Index 85 and Below	-Rules o must ingest water at-least once per hour o No Restriction on Water Consumption	-Recommendations o at-least 2 water breaks an hour o 3-5 minute rest period recommended with each break
Heat Index 85-89	-Rules o must ingest water at-least twice per hour o No Restriction on Water Consumption	-Recommendations o at-least 3 water breaks an hour o 3-5 minute rest period recommended with each break o All Athletes wearing Suntan Lotion
Heat Index 89-94	-Rules o Water consumed every 20 minutes o A 5 minute rest period for each hour of training o No restriction on water consumption	-Recommendations o 3-4 water breaks an hour o3-5 minute rest period recommended with each break oIce-Down Towels for Cooling o Watch/Monitor Athletes carefully for dehydration, sun poisoning, andheat stoke o All Athletes wearing suntan lotion
Heat Index 94-99	-Rules o Water consumed every 20 minutes oMandatory 4 water breaks oA 3-5 minute rest period for each water break o For every 45 minutes of work, minimum 15 minutes of rest out of thesun/ in shade o No restriction on water consumption o Watch/Monitor Athletes carefully for dehydration, sun poisoning, andheat stroke o All Athletes must be wearing Suntan Lotion	-Recommendations o Ice-Down Towels for Cooling o Training Last No More than 2 hours o Training takes place before 11:00 AM and after 6:00 PM
Heat Index 99-104	-Rules o Water consumed every 15 minutes o Mandatory 4 water breaks o A 3-5 minute rest period for each water break o For every 45 minutes of work, minimum 15 minutes of rest out of thesun/ in shade o Training Last for No more than 2 hours (with at-least an one hour restout of the sun before returning to activity) o No restriction on water consumption o Watch/Monitor Athletes carefully for dehydration, sun poisoning, andheat stroke o All Athletes must be wearing Suntan Lotion	-Recommendations o Ice-Down Towels for Cooling oTraining takes place before 11:00 AM and after 6:00 PM
Heat Index 104 and Above	-Rules o Activity Must be moved indoors to an Air Conditioned Facility toContinue o All Outdoor Activities Cancelled

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