We’re re-launching our youth sports programs in a way that’s safe for our children, their families and our communities
Every step forward feels like a victory these days. Businesses are re-opening. People are cautiously gathering. But as a kids’ sports franchise, we have the extra responsibility of making sure our young athletes stay safe and play safe.
As our i9 Sports franchises begin re-opening this summer, we’re looking at new ways for kids ages 3-14 to safely return to the sports they love. We’re changing the way the games are played, and we’re looking at new ways to connect to our communities.
‘Return to Play Safely’
Before the pandemic hit, crowded stands were a sure sign of a vigorous business. Today, that has to change. We don’t know when social distancing will truly go away. And in the meantime, one way to keep family spectators and other participants safer is to reduce close contact on the sidelines.
Our rigorous new “Return to Play Safely” protocol was designed to ensure the safety of everyone involved in our kids’ sports franchises, from the young athletes to their families to the franchise owners themselves. The teams themselves will be smaller now to limit the amount of contact children have while they’re playing. Instead of teams of 5 vs. 5, for instance, we’ll have teams of 3 vs. 3.
Here are some of the other measures we’ve put in place:
- Staff at each i9 Sports location will disinfect equipment before, during and after activities.
- The number of spectators will be limited at each venue. We strongly recommend only one parent/guardian per player be in attendance, if possible.
- Spectators are asked to stand a minimum of six feet apart from others and from the sidelines. Social distancing may be greater than 6 feet in accordance with state and local health guidelines.
- Parent tunnels after the game will be replaced with clapping lines.
- No high fives, handshakes or intentional physical contact.
- Staff, parents and participants must stay home if they, or anyone they have come in contact with, is sick.
- No team snacks or drinks.
- No concessions will be available on game day.
We have confidence that our families will navigate the new rules smoothly under the leadership of our committed franchise owners. We believe these new measures will enable everyone to get back to doing what they love more quickly.
Learn more
It’s okay to take a breath and look forward now. And it’s the perfect time to think about your family’s future and re-crafting your life into something more meaningful.
We are the nation’s largest multi-sport provider focused solely on high-quality, community-based youth sports programs. If you’d like to learn more about becoming a franchise owner, please fill out the form on this page to download our free franchise report. Our startup investment is under $70,000.
