As the safety of the participants is our highest priority, AAU Volleyball will follow the recommendations of the CDC, state, county and local authorities as well as implementing several additional precautionary measures.
To limit the number of people in the facility, spectators will not be allowed. Each team can consist of 15 players, 5 bench personnel and 10 chaperones. In addition, each match will have one referee. Teams will need to provide the down referee. Due to travel concerns, there will be no international teams. [It is not safe to travel from Puerto Rico but okay to travel from Indiana? Hmmm.] We encourage some type of face covering being worn whenever possible.
Watch Remotely: BallerTV will be providing coverage to help ensure the safest possible viewing experience for athletes, parents, relatives and the volleyball community. In an effort to encourage families to enjoy the action in the safest and most responsible way possible, BallerTV will be offering discounted packages and promotions for viewers of the event. Each court will be streamed daily. For BallerTV-related questions, email [email protected].
Extensive Screening Measures - Temperature Check
Athletes, coaches, chaperones, officials and event staff will be screened. Temperature checks will occur at the beginning of each age group’s session. Teams will be assigned a time and location for the temperature check.
Social Distancing Measures - All Matches at OCCC
There will be many changes at the venue. All matches will be played at the Orange County Convention Center. The volleyball courts will be spaced farther apart to increase the walkways and increased seating space will be added as well. Doors shall be marked for entrances and exits to assist in limiting interaction. There will be a limited number of vendors to allow more space for courts and limit areas where teams gather.
Limited Interaction - No Drink Stations - No Handshakes
Teams are encouraged to bring their own water. Water or sport drink stations will not be provided. There will be no handskakes before or after matches and teams are discouraged from having gift exchanges this year.
OCCC Disinfecting Procedures - Handwashing & Sanitizing
With a strategic on-site preparedness plan, the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is implementing rigorous cleaning and sanitation measures to enhance daily routines already in place to promote a clean and healthy environment. More details on the sanitation strategy can be found here.
Additionally, the courts will be disinfected between sessions. Additional hand washing and sanitizing stations will be available within the facility. The balls will be sanitized between each match. There will be additional protective equipment such as masks, gloves and wipes available to the event staff."
If you use your favorite search engine and look for "Italian soccer match and coronavirus", you will find tens of dozens of national and international new stories regarding a sporting event in Italy similar to this one from the Wall Street Journal:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-soccer-match-that-kicked-off-italys-coronavirus-disaster-11585752012
This story captures my fear in considering restarting the club season, the high school season, school or life. Lets assume that all our precautions eliminate 50%, 70%, even 90% of potential transmissions, that means 10% leave the event or business or interaction with other people infected or infecting and interact with how many people? The ripples in the water have started anew.
When considering how and when to move forward, the past week or two provided some good news and some bad news. If we try to gather for club, maybe we go outside as some reported research is finding the virus dies quickly when exposed to heat, natural light, and humidity. The bad news? The possibility exist that being exposed once to the virus does not preclude becoming positive again.
Stay safe out there.