Stonewall Sports Norfolk Statement on Venue Change for Kickball and Invitation to Town Hall

Happy Monday, Stonewallers!

Change is hard, but it’s also important. The Leadership Board is comprised of a hardworking group of volunteers that want to make our organization better each year. The Board recognizes that transparency is the most important aspect of service to our community, so we wanted to take the time to share some details.

I’m sure you have heard by now that our venue for Fall Kickball 2022 has changed to the Simon Family Jewish Community Center (JCC), located at 5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Some of you may be familiar with this facility from Dodgeball and Volleyball. We are extremely grateful for the kindness and partnership that we have received from the JCC. A big part of what makes Stonewall Sports so special is our community partnerships and we look forward to building another bridge. With that being said, to address the main questions on everyone’s minds:

What was the reason for the venue change?

There were many aspects to the decision to change venues for Fall Kickball. First, the fields at Larchmont have not been exactly well-maintained. We had several injuries last season due to divots and uneven surfaces on the fields. The JCC has a beautiful, well-kept space that will line up all four fields in one row, also offering better views for spectators. We can have the grass cut or double-cut any time it is needed. There is also proper field drainage for water.

Second, the JCC has offered us use of the fields for a fantastic deal for this season only. As we currently have Dodgeball and Volleyball (hard court) at their facility, this is a chance to streamline most sports to one location. I will note that there is no obligation to continue using their fields for future seasons. If we, as a community, would prefer to move venues, we will absolutely take this into consideration and welcome your input.

Third, ya’ll are going to love this location. Besides the tidy fields, there is a GORGEOUS gazebo with a playground for the kids nearby. Parking is a dream. No more having to walk a million miles. There are outlets for charging phones and speakers to make sure we have music each Sunday. Plus, it’s an easy 14-minute drive to our favorite watering hole (MJ’s duh). We also have our pool party coming up at the JCC on September 10th and I promise this location will make it an event to remember.

But we are Stonewall Sports Norfolk. What gives with all sports being outside of Norfolk?

When Stonewall Sports Norfolk was founded in 2018, it was a requirement from Stonewall Sports National that only cities could be represented. There are now 23 cities throughout the US that have chapters, and it’s worth visiting https://stonewallsports.leagueapps.com/ to see how each city is represented. Our anchor represents the Hampton Roads area as a whole, and we are currently in discussion with SSN about a name change to reflect our 7 cities.

Compared to the other chapters that are major cities, we are a wide community full of members that live all over Hampton Roads. For some, this venue change is a major win. For others (like my fellow Norfolkians), it feels like a bummer. In my years with Stonewall, I have played sports in many different cities, and I can appreciate “taking turns.”

Additionally, we are excited to be rolling out our newest sports – Billiards – in the late fall. Even more exciting is that The Wave will be our location and they will now be open on Thursdays. The Leadership Board is also working hard to add additional sports and events to Norfolk.

Finally, we love our sponsors. MANY of our sponsors are Norfolk-based, and we know that Norfolk knows how to party. This venue change will not affect the support that we as Stonewallers give to our lovely sponsors. Stay tuned for some new faces this season as well, in Norfolk and surrounding areas.

So, now that we have addressed the elephant in the room, we would like to cordially invite you to our annual Town Hall at the JCC or virtually through a link to be provided. Come see what all the buzz is about! We will have an announcement about the date for Town Hall this week, and you can expect it by the end of September.

We invite you to email any questions about the venue change or about Stonewall Sports Norfolk in general to Ezra Rose, our Administrative Coordinator, at norfolk.info@stonewallsports.org. I promise that we will address all questions at our Town Hall and also inform our community what we have been up to the past year and our future plans.

We love Stonewall!!

Truly,

Abigail Southern-Kline
Administrative Director – Stonewall Sports Norfolk

Welcome to the new Stonewall Sports Norfolk Website

Hello there!

We are excited to unveil our new redesigned website! Here you will find league updates and news!

-Stonewall Sports Norfolk Leadership Team

COVID 19 Vaccination and Verification Update

January 13, 2022

Hello Stonewaller!

With COVID surging, thanks to Omicron, we wanted to provide updates regarding implementation of our COVID vaccination requirements for the Winter 2022 Sport Season. The entire Stonewall Sports Norfolk Board is continuing to work hard to ensure that we provide a safe, accessible, and fun season.

As a reminder -

Stonewall Sports Inc. requires all participants in all managed chapters to be either fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or show a negative test result prior to each participation. This means that you will not be permitted to play without confirmation of full COVID vaccinations (2 weeks after 2 Moderna\Pfizer-BioNTech doses or 1 Johnson & Johnson dose) or a negative test. Only select members from the SSI National Board and SSN Executive Board will have access to your response. All parties privy to this information have signed NDA's regarding confidentiality. Your information will not be shared in any way. Once responses are recorded properly, all documentation will be destroyed. With testing becoming limited, please ensure that you have a negative test available within 72 hours of an event or game or your vaccination record on file. A survey was sent out to all registered players for completion with a deadline of December 31. If you did not complete the survey, please contact norfolk.operations@stonewallsports.org for further instructions.

Spectators at Events and Sports. For the safety of our players, only spectators over the age of 21 years old will be permitted at all events and sports this season. Spectators will be required to adhere to the same vaccination requirements as players and must share proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test (Rapid or PCR) within 72 hours of an event or game. Executive Board members will be present at all events and games to check-in each player and spectator for verification of vaccination or testing.

Safety Measures. We are providing you with the Virginia Department of Health Considerations for Recreational Health and for Social Gatherings and Events. Please review these carefully, and take every precaution to protect yourself and others against exposure. Pursuant to the same, we would encourage you, if tolerable, to wear a mask while playing indoor sports, especially any sport that involves close contact.

Dodgeball. The Jewish Community Center is requiring that all participants (players and spectators) must wear masks when not actively playing. Masks are required for entry.

Bowling. AMF Bowling is complying with adherence to all local and state health and safety guidelines. We would encourage all players and spectators to wear masks.

COVID Exposure. In the event of potential exposure to others, we will take reasonable efforts to notify those that may have come into contact while protecting their privacy and well-being of the community. In the event of multiple instances, we will take appropriate actions based on CDC and local guidance. Please also consider downloading the COVIDWISE app to help stop the spread of the virus.

If you were exposed to COVID or if you are sick or test positive for COVID, please visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html#calculating-quarantine for further instructions about quarantine and isolation.

If you are experiencing symptoms or just don’t feel well, please refrain from attending any scheduled games or events. We will look forward to seeing you again when you are well!

We are also including FAQ’s below that may answer any other questions.
Your safety and the safety of our community is at the forefront of our minds. If you have questions please reach out

to us at norfolk.info@stonewallsports.org. at Xxx”

Abigail Southern-Kline She/Her/Hers Administrative Director Stonewall Sports Norfolk

FAQs

Why is Stonewall mandating a vaccine requirement? The LGBTQ+ community is often marginalized in healthcare access and outcomes. As leaders, we strongly support CDC guidance that the most effective way to protect oneself and the community around them is to receive the vaccine. As a result, and in alignment with other major LGBTQ+ sporting events and other large gatherings, we support doing everything possible to protect the community and encourage our members to do the same.

Why require vaccines now? We recognize that after this email, it would not be possible to achieve full vaccination status with a two-dose vaccine before the start of the Winter 2022 season. This is one reason we provide the option to provide a negative COVID-19 test. We also recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic is a moving target and CDC and local guidance has and will continuously change; however we feel that one of the best ways to protect our community is to encourage and require the vaccine to attend our events.

Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine? COVID-19 vaccines are free and have become widely available in the U.S. Everyone 12 years of age and older is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. For more information, please visit https://getvaccineanswers.org/. Visit vaccinefinder.org to find vaccination providers near you.

What if I have chosen not to get the vaccine or cannot due to medical or religious exemptions? We ask that you provide a negative COVID-19 test close to the event or gameplay date (with 72 hours). If you need help finding or affording a test, please reach out.

What if I am uncomfortable with submitting my vaccine or test information online? At the event or sport an executive board member will be available to verify your information in person. You may show this information to Lee Soontornpatee, Kurtiss Smith, Alexandra Pouder or Abigail Southern-Kline at any event or sport, whomever you are most comfortable with.

Do I need to have my physical vaccine card or a photo of it during an event or gameplay? For the purposes of attending events and sports, no; HOWEVER, we recommend bringing a copy or a photo as our sponsors and event venues may have more stringent requirements or require additional verification.

What if I or another player is symptomatic or tests positive during an event or sport? In the event of potential exposure to other players, we will take reasonable efforts to notify those that may have come into contact while protecting their privacy and well-being of the community. In the event of multiple instances, we will take appropriate actions based on CDC and local guidance

COVID SAFETY MEASURES
From Virginia Department of Health Considerations for Recreational Sports

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/get-the-latest-guidance/sports/

VDH provides recommendations for participation in recreational sports based on CDC’s Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People and the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) COVID-19 Interim Guidance: Return to Sports and

Physical Activity:

During times of substantial and high COVID-19 activity in a community, participating in recreational sports may increase risk of COVID-19 transmission. This is especially true with large indoor events and close contact sports. Consider the extent of community transmission in a region/locality when deciding whether to participate. During times of high disease spread, organizers of such events should consider cancelling or postponing competition in favor of lesser risk activities such as low-contact drills or practices.

Mask Recommendations:

Indoors: If tolerable, wear a mask while playing indoor sports, especially any sport that involves close contact. At K-12 schools, masks are not required when exercising, but should still be worn if possible when engaging in active sports play. Anyone (age 2 and up) should wear a mask on the sideline, in the locker room, or in the stands when in a school or when transmission levels are substantial or high.

Outdoors: Playing outdoor sports is generally safer than indoors. Unvaccinated athletes, coaches, officials, and spectators should strongly consider wearing masks, especially if close contact is likely to occur. Fully vaccinated people might also consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor spaces if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised.

Wearing masks is especially important during indoor competition and practices. Wearing masks is also important in shared spaces such as locker rooms, and during shared transportation (including carpooling) to/from an event. Coaches and/or officials should monitor proper use. Individual outdoor sports that do not involve close contact (e.g. golf, singles tennis, etc) may not necessitate wearing a mask. Masks are generally well tolerated during exercise; however, masks may need to be removed under certain

circumstances (e.g. if the masks become wet). Encourage athletes to bring more than one mask to practice or games in case their mask gets wet or soiled during play. There are some sports in which the mask could become a choking hazard or inadvertently impair vision and should not be worn, such as cheerleading-tumbling/stunting, gymnastics, wrestling and water sports.

Even vaccinated participants and spectators should wear masks in crowded indoor places, including while carpooling during times of substantial or high transmission. Prioritize outdoor play as much as possible.

COVID-19 is also spread off the field. Close contact in locker rooms, in carpooling, or in other confined spaces are high-risk situations, and should be avoided to the extent possible. Pre-game meetings and post-game ceremonies should be avoided or modified to allow proper distancing. Some large events such as marathons and large sports tournaments have attractions such as live music or food vendors where people gather together. These additional attractions should be discouraged to minimize gathering, and race organizers should encourage people not to congregate at the start and finish of races.

Indoor environments are higher risk environments for spreading COVID-19. While being outside does not remove the risk of transmitting COVID-19, indoor spaces are higher risk environments for spreading COVID-19. This is especially true if spaces are crowded or have poor ventilation. Spectators or other attendees/participants who are shouting and cheering, or having additional activities such as a pep band may increase the risk of spreading COVID-19, and are an additional concern in indoor environments. Prioritize outdoor play, as opposed to indoor, as much as possible.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should remain at home and seek testing. Participants with a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 should follow VDH’s quarantine guidelines before returning to practices and competitions.

Participants who have recovered from COVID-19 infection should resume activities gradually. Participants should not return until they meet VDH’s criteria for leaving isolation. Participants who had severe or moderate COVID-19 infections should consult their primary care provider before resuming sports activities.

Additional Considerations:

People involved in recreational sports should consider their household’s level of risk and interaction with other at-risk populations when determining whether to participate in recreational sports. Factors that place people (including household members) at higher

risk of adverse outcomes from COVID-19 include older age, not being vaccinated, and certain medical conditions.

BEST PRACTICES

• All eligible participants should be vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination is the most effective way to reduce risk of transmission of COVID-19.

• All participants and spectators should maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance to the extent possible. Exercise and activities like cheering and shouting increase respiration and can increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19 and may benefit from additional distancing (e.g. 10 feet). Sports that can be modified to increase the distance between participants in practice or in play are encouraged.

• Disinfect shared items between each use, to the extent practicable.

• Wash cloth masks after each use.

• To improve physical distancing, limit occupancy in training facilities and locker

  rooms by staggering training sessions and pre-game preparation.

• Limit carpooling when traveling for competition or to practices. When group

  transportation is required, reduce vehicle occupancy to allow for the greatest distance possible between persons not of the same household and require individuals to wear a mask while being transported.

• Establish policies for pre- and post-game activities that discourage close contact between players, coaches, and families not of the same household, including when participants are sharing living facilities.

• Consider screening testing, especially for school-sponsored sports.

COVID SAFETY MEASURES

Virginia Department of Health Consideration for Social Gatherings and Events https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/get-the-latest-guidance/social-gatherings/

When making decisions about going to public spaces or attending social events, it's important to think about the risk of spreading COVID-19. Factors to consider include your own ability to wear a mask or vaccination status, your risk for developing severe COVID-19, and whether you live with someone at higher risk for developing severe illness. Individuals should consider the following before attending a social gathering:

• Vaccination status: The best way to protect yourself and others at a gathering is to get vaccinated. If you are gathering with people you know, encourage them to get vaccinated as well.

• Level of COVID-19 spread in the community: Higher levels of COVID-19 in the community where the gathering will be held or where the attendees are coming from mean that there is a higher risk that someone could be infected with COVID-19. VDH has developed a dashboard to help make decisions based on data.

• The number of people at the gathering: If there are many people in a space, it may be harder to stay at least 6 feet from others. The risk of COVID-19 spread also increases if there are more people at the event or if they come from many different places. If you are gathering with a group of people from multiple households and potentially from different parts of the country, you could consider additional precautions (e.g., avoiding crowded indoor spaces before travel, taking a test) in advance of gathering to further reduce risk.

• Location: Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor gatherings. Gatherings in large, well-ventilated spaces are safer than gatherings in smaller spaces that are not well-ventilated.

• Duration: Spending less time with people outside your household is safer than spending longer periods of time.

• Behavior of people attending the gathering: If people have not been following COVID-19 precautions before the event, then there is a greater risk of someone having it who attends the event and potentially spreading it to other attendees. Practicing safe behaviors during the event, like distancing and wearing masks, can prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the event. Certain activities, including cheering

or singing, are known to increase the risk of spreading COVID-19. If people are drinking alcohol, they may be less likely to keep at least 6 feet from others, wear a mask, or not shout.

Recommendations for Hosting Gatherings

• Encourage all attendees who are eligible to get vaccinated and get a booster dose.

• Remind invited guests to stay home if they have symptoms of COVID-19 and to follow all VDH recommendations for isolation/quarantine if they recently had

  COVID-19 or were exposed to COVID-19.

• Host your gathering outdoors whenever possible. If this is not feasible, make sure

  the room or space is well-ventilated (for example, open windows if it doesn’t pose a

  safety risk).

• When guests arrive, minimize activities that promote close contact. Consider

  having activities available that allow attendees to remain at least 6 feet apart.

• Provide masks for guests or ask them to bring their own.

• Wear a mask if not fully vaccinated, and even if fully vaccinated when transmission

  levels are substantial or high. Masking is especially important when indoors or

  when attendees are unable to maintain 6 feet of distance outdoors.

• Provide hand sanitizer in addition to clearly marked hand washing areas.

• Remind guests to wash their hands before serving or eating food.

• Use single-use hand towels or paper towels for drying hands so guests do not

  share a towel.

• Make sure everyone uses their own cup and dishes and uses utensils to grab

  shared foods like chips.

• Clean commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use when

  feasible.

• Consider postponing/cancelling gatherings when levels of transmission are

  substantial or high.

Recommendations for Attending Gatherings
○ Stay home if you have symptoms and follow all VDH recommendations for

isolation/quarantine if you recently had COVID-19 or were exposed to

COVID-19.
○ Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet or more from people who don’t live in

your household. Be particularly mindful in areas where it may be harder to

keep this distance, such as check-in areas and routes of entry and exit.
○ Wear a mask if not fully vaccinated, and even when fully vaccinated if transmission levels are substantial or high to minimize the risk of transmitting

the virus.

○ Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer immediately before eating food or after touching any common surfaces like hand railings, payment kiosks, door handles, and toilets.

COVID 19 Vaccination and Verification

Dec 7, 2021

Hello Stonewaller!

First and foremost, we want to thank you for registering for a Winter 2022 sport! We’re excited to welcome back dodgeball and triple the number of players in bowling this season. The entire Stonewall Sports Norfolk Board is working hard to ensure that we provide a safe, accessible, and fun season.

Therefore, we have an update to share:

Stonewall Sports Inc. requires participants in all managed chapters to be either fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or show a negative test result prior to each participation. Only select members from the SSI National Board and SSN executive board will have access to your response. All parties privy to this information have signed NDA's regarding confidentiality. Your information will not be shared in any way. Once responses are recorded properly, all documentation will be destroyed.

Vaccination Requirements. All registered players are required to share proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test (Rapid or PCR) within 72 hours of an event or game. In order to expedite t-shirt pickup, ALL PLAYERS must complete this survey by Friday, December 31st at 11:59 PM. Failure to do so may result in the inability to play or attend any events. In order to meet the requirements of having the vaccine for this season, you will need to upload a photo of your vaccine card or VDH QR code during the survey. Players who select the option to show a negative test within 72 hours of the event or gameplay will receive a second survey via email to upload proof of vaccination or the negative test result. Failure to do so will result in the inability to play or attend any events.

Extra Sanitation. Our Sports leaders and volunteers will be taking reasonable efforts to sanitize and provide sanitizing equipment throughout all events.

Your safety and the safety of our community is at the forefront of our minds. If you have questions please reach out to us at norfolk.info@stonewallsports.org. at Xxx”

Lee Soontornpatee He/Him/His
Director of Operations Commissioner-Elect Stonewall Sports Norfolk

Complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Status Survey Here.

Note that the survey will require you to sign into a Google Account to securely upload a photo of your vaccine card.

FAQs

Why is Stonewall mandating a vaccine requirement? The LGBTQ+ community is often marginalized in healthcare access and outcomes. As leaders, we strongly support CDC guidance that the most effective way to protect oneself and the community around them is to receive the vaccine. As a result, and in alignment with other major LGBTQ+ sporting events and other large gatherings, we support doing everything possible to protect the community and encourage our members to do the same.

Why require vaccines now? We recognize that after this email, it would not be possible to achieve full vaccination status with a two-dose vaccine before the start of the Winter 2022 season. This is one reason we provide the option to provide a negative COVID-19 test. We also recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic is a moving target and CDC and local guidance has and will continuously change; however we feel that one of the best ways to protect our community is to encourage and require the vaccine to attend our events.

Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine? COVID-19 vaccines are free and have become widely available in the U.S. Everyone 12 years of age and older is eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. For more information, please visit https://getvaccineanswers.org/. Visit vaccinefinder.org to find vaccination providers near you.

What if I have chosen not to get the vaccine or cannot due to medical or religious exemptions? We ask that you provide a negative COVID-19 test close to the event or gameplay date (with 72 hours). If you need help finding or affording a test, please reach out.

What if I am uncomfortable with submitting my vaccine or test information online? At the event or sport an executive board member will be available to verify your information in person. You may show this information to

Lee Soontornpatee , Kurtiss Smith, Alexandra Pouder or Abigail Southern-Kline at any event or sport, whomever you are most comfortable with.

Do I need to have my physical vaccine card or a photo of it during an event or gameplay? For the purposes of attending events and sports, no; HOWEVER, we recommend bringing a copy or a photo as our sponsors and event venues may have more stringent requirements or require additional verification.

What if I or another player is symptomatic or tests positive during the tournament? In the event of potential exposure to other players, we will take reasonable efforts to notify those that may have come into contact while protecting their privacy and well-being of the community. In the event of multiple instances, we will take appropriate actions based on CDC and local guidance.

What if I can no longer attend due to these requirements? If you no longer can attend a Winter sport due to these requirements, please email norfolk.operations@stonewallsports.org by December 18th, 2021 and we will process a full refund of your registration fee.