NWSL Teams Allowed Small-group Training, Moving to Full-team Training

The National Women’s Soccer League is taking major steps toward returning to competitive play. On May 25, the league announced it is moving into Phase 2 of its “Return to Play Phased Protocol,” allowing all nine teams to participate in small-group training.

Furthermore, on Saturday, teams will be allowed to advance to Phase 3 — full-team training — provided teams have participated five days of small-group training without breaking any league, state or local regulations.

“Following the advice and counsel of our medical advisors, the NWSL is pleased to be taking the next steps to safely return to competition,” NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird said, per the league’s official release.

The NWSL defines “small groups” as being no bigger than eight players. All players must complete a pre-training assessment and have a daily symptom and temperature screening before entering team facilities. Furthermore, prior to joining any team trainings, players and staff members must take antigen polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antibody (IgG) tests. Weight rooms, training rooms and meeting rooms are allowed to be used during Phase 2.

Per the NWSL, authorized non-player personnel during Phase 2 includes coaches, athletic trainers, sports scientists, team physicians and equipment managers.

All teams must abide by the following principles throughout all phases of the league’s return-to-pay protocol:

• All activity must follow state and local government and health-agency mandates
• Each team must have approval from their medical staff to advance to the next phase
• Teams must limit staff to the essential personnel necessary to conduct each phase of training and competition
• Players will undergo a daily symptom screening prior to entering team facilities
• Players who are fulfilling self-quarantine for any reason are not permitted to train with other individuals or at team facilities
• Players, coaches and staff who are sick or have close contact with individuals who are sick must inform the team’s certified athletic trainer, stay home and not participate in training.
• All individuals should participate good hand hygiene and avoid touching their face, nose and eyes with their hands as much as possible
• All facilities and rooms used are subject to NWSL standards for cleaning, disinfection and sanitation
• All facility staff, housekeeping and grounds crew will be scheduled to avoid contact with players and essential staff

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