2022
January 24 — No doubt, you have noticed COVID is still with us. Every few months a new variant goes around the world. The colleges did play soccer this past fall and I have bragged to people about Rochester being a ‘hot bed for soccer’. But, all our local teams lost in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.
The City of Rochester Department of Recreation and Youth Services, under the direction of the new commissioner, required all athletic groups to give up their storage spaces in November of 2019. That included the Rochester Juniors. We never knew if we owned the shed (I maintained it for 8 years). I had to remove all our equipment, everything off the walls from past teams and give up the shed. I looked for another location in 2020, but all youth clubs in New York State were shut down. I looked at one location last year, but it was not suitable for our use. Very few soccer clubs ran last summer. I still need a suitable field, that would allow a storage shed for our equipment. Since we are called the Rochester Juniors, I have only looked within the City of Rochester. I am still looking, but losing hope.
# # #
2021
March 4 — I am deeply disappointed on how the COVID-19 epidemic has played out. I do not feel it would be safe to try and run a youth soccer program at this time, so NO SOCCER FOR 2021.
Several of the area towns are going to try and run a program. The current guidelines require mask wearing at all times for coaches, referees, players, parents and spectators. Players can remove their mask while playing the game. Hand washing stations are to be used. Parents should check their child’s temperature before attending soccer. Many soccer programs are now amending their ‘Waiver of Liability’ to include communicable diseases like COVID-19 (COMMUNICABLE DISEASE RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT). If anyone attends a game and tests positive for COVID-19, then the whole program could be shut down. There are over 200 vaccines being developed around the world and eight have been approved for use, three in this country. It is unclear what percentage of the population needs to be vaccinated, before we can return to some type of normal daily life. There are federal, state, county and city health agencies involved, of which any one of them could say NO to a program. I have not looked into the insurance changes for youth sports yet. With so many variables against running a program, I have decided not to.
# # #
2020
March 24 — I have been informed that no permits will be issued, until at least April 30. The City Recreation isn’t sure about the month of May yet.
Coronavirus has gripped the whole world, as well as our nation. Professional sports are on hiatus, along will college and school sports. All of the Rochester City youth spring and summer sports programs are on hold at this time. Even if permits are granted later this year, it might be difficult to get the word out, since the schools are all closed. For now, everyone has to wait and see what happens. I’ll keep this website updated, with the latest new developments. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
May 8 —Coronavirus Response Update: All Sports Leagues and Sporting Events are suspended or postponed. The Genesee Valley Sports Complex and the Rochester Community Sports Complex are closed. The city recreation centers are still closed.
July 31 — It has been an unfortunate Summer for youth sports. The college Fall season is now in jeopardy and I am not sure what is going on in the city schools for recreation or after school sports. All youth sports in Monroe county and the rest of the state have been affected. I looked into the possibility of having a soccer picnic, but permits at the time limited me to less than 30 persons. I sure hope next year is better and that youth sports will once again be allowed.
# # #
2019
The Summer 2019 soccer season is over and ended with an ‘End of Season’ picnic at the Tay House Lodge, with 165 attendees.
# # #
We are a recreational soccer program, without the emphasis on travel, where having fun, developing life skills and learning good sportsmanship, are more important than winning. We try and encourage everyone to play an equal amount of time. Many of the players are new to soccer.
Sneakers are okay, but cleats are recommended. For added protection of the players, shin guards must be worn.
For more information, email at rochesterjuniors.soccer@mail.com or call (or text) Tony Dellelo at 734-6149.