Coronavirus Update:
Last updated: 08/10/2020

Re: Fall Soccer

As we wait to hear if APS will make its facilities available to us this fall (E Rivers and Sutton 6th Grade Academy),  we are working on a number of scenarios regarding fall soccer.  So far our camps have been successful this summer (though limited in size) and we are confident we can operate a fall program in a safe and compliant manner.   In any case we will do something, even if it is limited to our field at the church.  At this time, it is our intention to announce our plans and open registration in mid-August and begin mid-September.

If you have suggestions or comments about the upcoming fall season, we would love to hear your input.  You may email Charles Akin at charlesa@prumc.org.

I the mean time, be on the lookout for an email from us, stay safe and keep active!

6/17/2020

We truly miss seeing everyone!  The weather has been terrific, the fields are beautiful and we wish they were filled with children and families. We will get them filled as soon as possible!  Our focus is on serving our families and community.  We will continue to do that in any way possible.  We are currently in our 3rd week of socially distanced summer camps (as per Governor Kemp's executive orders) and plan to resume our leagues as soon as we are given clearance by the government, health officials and schools.

Sports teach us the characteristics of teamwork, perseverance, and pursuit of a common goal. These are what we must now draw from to overcome life's obstacles in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic! As we wait to see what unfolds in the coming weeks, please stay healthy and keep active!!   As always, thank you for being a part of PRUMC Sports, Recreation and Life Enrichment!
 
Spring 2020 Soccer Leagues: 
With APS facilities closed at least through the end of June and social distancing measures in place for the foreseeable future, we are disappointed to report that our spring league is officially cancelled.  Due to the size of our leagues and  the variety of age groups, between changing ages, changing schedules, and changing requests for teams, teammates and practices times, administratively we are unable to apply credits of spring registrations to the fall.  Please scroll down for information regarding refund requests for the spring season.  We will begin registering for the fall season as soon as we can reasonably predict that  APS facilities will be made available to us and social distancing guidelines will allow for league play. 

Coaches holding uniforms:  please keep them and be prepared to use them for the fall season.  You may also return them to our offices during business hours.

2019-2020 High School Basketball league:
We will resume the league as soon as this situation dictates (even into the fall, if necessary)

2020 Summer Camps:
At this time summer camps will proceed as scheduled under the stipulations outlined by Governor Kemp's executive order dated May 12, 2020. 

Summer Camp Schedule
Summer Camp COVID-19 Procedures

Spring Refunds: 
During these unprecedented times, we feel it is important for our families to understand that the majority of the costs required to operate our leagues, classes and camps are incurred in advance of the start date.  Field lease payments, field maintenance, equipment, uniforms, and administrative costs including salaries for our staff, are just a few of the up-front expenses that are needed to implement our programs successfully.  Thanks to the support of families like yours, we have been providing these leagues and life enriching programs  to the Buckhead community since 1974.  With your continued support we will be here for many more years to come.  We encourage those families who have been less financially affected by COVID-19 to consider supporting our programs and our staff by making a donation of their spring payment.  Please help ensure institutions such as this and our staff will still be here in the fall.  Year end tax statements will be sent to anyone donating their league fee. (scroll down for information about the CARES Act to to increase donation tax deductibility.)

That said, we are dedicated to serving our families and want to support our families in need.  We certainly understand if you would like a refund and have developed a process that will allow you to request a full or partial refund or donate your registration fee. 

The deadline for requesting refunds is July 15, 2020.  If we have not received your refund request by that date, we will graciously accept your league registration fee as a donation and put it towards preparing for the next season.  Universal Deduction for Donations Up to $300:  For the over 9 out of 10 people who no longer itemize their charitable giving, the CARES Act will allow these individual taxpayers to deduct donations to charity of up to $300 on their 2020 federal tax return, even though they take the standard deduction.  Married-filing-jointly taxpayers will get an above-the-line deduction of up to $600. Source: https://www.501c3.org/the-cares-act-increases-donation-tax-deductibility/

To request a refund:
1. Log in to your account
2. Click "Register for Activities"
3. Choose the child and the activity for which you originally registered
4. Choose the appropriate option. 
*Please understand, subject to volume,  it may take some time to issue refunds..  
NOTE: Refund confirmation emails do not reflect the refund amount, you will receive a paypal notification when your refund is processed.  Credit card fees for the original transaction are retained by paypal.

 
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57



Sincerely,

Charles Akin
Director of Sports, Recreation and Life Enrichment
cakin@prumc.org

Grant Hagy
Sports Director
Granth@prumc.org


 

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Thursday March 12, 2020 6:45 PM
 
Atlanta Public Schools, among others, have announced that they will be closed beginning Monday for at least two weeks.    Therefore  in an effort to assist in this quarantine effort, our soccer season will be delayed as well - most likely for at least two weeks.   It is not clear at this time whether we will even have the option of resuming at APS facilities before school resumes, but we will keep you updated as the situation develops.  
 

Thursday March 12, 2020 4:15 PM

As we prepare for the start of our season, I wanted to reach out to you regarding some thoughts about the Coronavirus. 

Regarding closures:
PRUMC Sports and Recreation will most likely mirror the actions of Atlanta Public Schools and/or area private schools with regards to quarantine driven school closures.  We will update our weather page with any closures, and communicate via email as necessary. 
 
Until then:

Per CDC recommendations we urge everyone to take steps to prevent the spread of illnesses by, washing their hands often, using hand sanitizer, avoiding close contact, covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing, staying home when sick and cleaning and disinfecting surface areas.

Obviously, there is no way to eliminate contact or shared surface contact in a sports or classroom environment, but we can take reasonable measures to reduce contact where possible and create awareness. 

• Sportsmanship is an essential part of youth sports, but post game handshakes will need to be changed.  Different methods may be appropriate for different ages.  We suggest “foot bumps” or “air high fives” with no hand to hand contact for post game sportsmanship.  Coaches, please coordinate this with each other at each game.  In any case, do not forgo the practice of showing sportsmanship to opposing teams after games! 

Soccer is unique among team sports in that there is the opportunity for limited contact.  Here are a few of ways we could limit contact with shared surfaces.
 

• The most common shared surface is the balls.  I think we can  will allow players to simply “dribble-in” instead of “throw-in” from out of bounds during games. Defenders should allow the ball back in play.  This will vary with age groups but we just want you to know that it is an option.   Coaches should discuss this with referees and opposing coaches prior to games to make sure everyone is on the same page.   This should not create competitive advantages.  Referees will make final decisions as necessary.
   

• I would also encourage players not to pick up balls when retrieving them.  (This will increase foot skills!)  There is no need for players to bring their own balls to the fields.
   

• While we are hesitant at this time to take the goalie’s use of hands out of the game by rule, I remind coaches that if both teams agree, they can play without goalies.  Again, the practicality of that will vary based on ages.  For players that really love to play the goalie position, this might be the time to get some goalie gloves.

Obviously, these steps don't guarantee anything but they may help to support health and awareness of healthy habits.  Again, I will let you know as soon as I know about closing for a period of time should that be necessary.