We play in most weather conditions

Soccer is an outdoor sport, and we play in rain, cold, and sometimes even snow. However, player and coach safety is our top priority.

Automatic cancellation

Games are immediately cancelled if there is visible lightning with thunder heard within 30 seconds at the soccer fields during play. This equates to approximately 8 miles away as reported by modern lightning strike reporting apps. Later games that day will be evaluated separately based on ongoing conditions.

When to show up

Weather changes quickly in Minnesota, so we can't always give advance notice of cancellations. Unless you receive notification in PlayMetrics that your session has been cancelled, always show up to the field as scheduled.

How will I be notified?

You will receive a cancellation notification via PlayMetrics for any cancellations. No need to check email or contact your coach / commissioner / etc. Please ensure you have installed the PlayMetrics app on your mobile phone and open it frequently so your phone doesn't automatically uninstall it to save space. PlayMetrics will fall back to email delivery if you have not installed the app.

Reasons for Cancellation

1. Field Conditions or Safety Concerns

The City or EPSA Board may declare fields "unplayable" due to:

• Excessively wet fields
• Extreme dryness
• Ice buildup or snow accumulation

Playing on damaged fields can kill the grass and require months of recovery time. Small amounts of slush or snow are usually fine, but larger accumulations create safety concerns and will result in cancellation. The city informs us by 4:00pm on weeknights and 4:00p Friday for weekend sessions.

2. Weather

We play through drizzle, rain, sleet, and light snow. However, lightning creates a dangerous situation and requires immediate cancellation, whether or not it's raining.

Types of weather cancellations

1. Advance cancellation

• Declared at least one hour before scheduled start time when possible by a Board Member or Referee Director.
• Notification sent via PlayMetrics app.
• Coaches and team managers cannot declare advance cancellations.
• If you haven't received a cancellation notice, show up at the fields. We frequently see bad weather in other parts of the city, but clear skies at Flying Cloud. Or vice versa!

2. On-field cancellation

• Made less than one hour before start time due to rapidly changing conditions
• Can be declared by a Division Commissioner (for practices or non-refereed games) or Referee Director (for refereed games)
• If you believe conditions are unsafe, alert the Division Commissioner or Referee Director.
• Notification delivered via PlayMetrics app (to quickly get the word out) in addition to verbal announcements.
• Parents and players should leave fields quickly or assume personal responsibility for staying.

Weather delays

A delay may be issued instead of a cancellation if it appears inclement weather will pass quickly. A delay is typically in effect for 30 minutes after the last weather incident, such as a lightning strike, and will be determined based upon session length. Example: an A division session only 60 minutes in length may be cancelled if a weather delay is presented 30 minutes into the session. An F division session 100 minutes in length may be delayed for 30 minutes at 30 minutes into the session as there would still be 40 minutes left to play a large portion of the game. This decision will be made by Referee Director and Commissioners.

The Eden Prairie Soccer Association places a great emphasis on providing our players with an experience that balances fun, safety and learning. Given these priorities we’ve developed a policy which requires players under a certain age to have a parent (or designated adult) on the soccer fields at all times and allows our older players some freedom to play soccer without direct parental supervision but with parents knowing that at least two adults will be present at all times.

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Adult supervision for all divisions

The Eden Prairie Soccer Association requires there be at least two responsible, non-related adults on the soccer fields at all times players are present. Note that in some divisions, some coaches may be as young as 15 years old. They are considered a “responsible” adult under Association guidelines and can serve as one of the two non-related adults on the soccer field when players are present.

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Adult supervision requirements for divisions A - D

Players in Divisions A, B, C and D are expected to have a parent (or designated adult) on the soccer fields at all times. Coaches and team managers are not expected to play this role as they have other duties during soccer.

Sometimes families have multiple children playing at the same time (either different teams in the same division or in two different divisions) and parents have to split their time between fields – this is allowed as long as parents remain at the soccer fields and ensure the coaches/team managers are aware of what other fields they will be visiting during the scheduled soccer time.

If coaches or team managers become aware that players are being left at soccer without adult supervision they should remind parents of the EPSA policy around Adult Supervision. On a second or subsequent occurrence of players being left at soccer without adult supervision team managers should notify the Division Commissioner and re-remind parents of the EPSA policy by sending an e-mail with the Adult Supervision policy copied to the parents and copying the EPSA Risk Management Director and President.

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Adult supervision for divisions E - G

Players in Division E, F and G are not required to have a parent (or designated adult) supervisor on the soccer fields at all times. However, these players should be advised by their parents of what they are to do in case of injury, sickness, or inclement weather and an on-field cancellation of soccer. If this includes a cell phone call and pick-up, then parents should ensure they can be back to the fields within 15 minutes of the call. Commissioners, team managers, and coaches are asked to remain attentive at end of each soccer match to ensure all players have a ride or planned transportation home.

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Commissioners and team managers need to work together to ensure this policy is followed and it may require commissioners/team managers asking parents to “supervise” on a rotating schedule or to be available to attend soccer when the commissioner, coaches &/or team managers are not going to be able to attend soccer or need to leave before all players have been picked up.

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Injuries and medical attention

Parents should be aware that if their child is injured and a parent or guardian is not present, the EPSA commissioners, coaches or team managers will seek appropriate medical attention including calling 911. All costs for this medical treatment and/or transport will be the responsibility of the child’s parent or legal guardian.

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Coaches, Commissioners and members of the Board of Directors are authorized to contact emergency personnel at no personal civil liability to them under Minnesota’s Good Samaritan Law.

Division A - D

A parent or designated adult must be on the fields during the entire time the child is practicing or playing.

Divison  E - G

Parents or a designated adult are not required to be present during a game or practice, but the child must have their own transportation (vehicle, bike or walking) or arranged for transportation home with a parent, designated adult or another player.

EPSA requires all players in divisions A through D to have one of their parents (or a designated adult) on the fields at all times. This policy is designed to minimize the occurrence of a player being left alone at the end of a soccer game or practice. For divisions E, F and G, parents or a designated adult are not required to be present during a game or practice, but the child must have their own transportation (vehicle, bike or walking) or arranged for transportation home with a parent, designated adult or another player. Coaches and Team Managers should not be providing transportation home for players unless pre-arranged and approved by the child’s parent or guardian.

This policy is in place to ensure no child is left alone after a soccer game or practice. In the event a child remains after a game or practice with no parent or designated adult to take them home, this policy will be enforced by Eden Prairie Soccer Association officials. 

If a child is not picked up when the practice or game has ended, every effort should be made to contact the parents via cell phone or home phone. Coaches, Team Managers and Commissioners should have access to rosters showing contact phone numbers of players on each team. If the child has another sibling playing soccer at the same time, it is likely that the other game/practice is running long and, if possible, a responsible adult can stay with the player until a parent does arrive.

Team Managers, Division Commissioners, Coaches, etc., should work together to determine who can stay and assist with the situation. If it seems safer the child may be taken to the shed. Two responsible, non-related adults need to remain with the child at all times.

If the situation cannot be resolved quickly, the Eden Prairie police will be notified via a 911 call that there is a forgotten child. There is no need for any “grace period” before calling the police. The Eden Prairie Police will come and pick up the child and take them back to the Eden Prairie Police station.

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In divisions E, F and G, a player can inform the coaches or responsible adults they have permission to wait for their parent or designated adult to pick them up and a coach or other responsible set of adults are not required to wait for their pick-up. In such cases, the coach or other responsible adults may decide to remain, but they are not required to do so. If a coach or responsible adults decide to remain with the child, the Association’s policy remains in force in that at least two, non-related responsible adults must be present with any player.

• EPSA is committed to provide a safe environment and to prevent child abuse and sexual misconduct. ƒ 
• EPSA will make every reasonable effort to ensure that every person involved in coaching/training a sport activity in our organization will abide by the SafeKids guidelines. 
• EPSA will make every reasonable effort to exclude any adult with a legally documented history of child abuse/molestation or any other conviction or record that would bring unnecessary risk to the health and safety of the participants of this organization.
• EPSA will perform a criminal background check on every adult volunteering for a coaching position.
• EPSA will take appropriate action on all allegations of child abuse and/or sexual misconduct. All allegations will be reported immediately to the authorities for investigation and the Association will cooperate fully with any such investigation. 

Measurers to prevent abuse

• Physical, mental, and verbal abuse of any of the participants, coaches, managers, employees, volunteer involved in our sponsored activities is not permitted.
• Inappropriate touching of any kind is forbidden.
• We agree to provide more than one adult working at or overseeing every activity. If a child needs special attention (one-on-one training or an individual meeting), it will be handled with the assistance or presence of another adult.
• Coaches/trainers should not socialize with the participants outside of the sponsored activities of the organization without the participation of the children’s parents or legal guardians.
• Coaches/trainers should never fide alone with a child or participant in the car. Procedures will be established for coaches to follow in the event a participant is stranded at an activity.
• Parents are encouraged to attend sponsored activities.

The code of conduct for parents applies to all parents, designated supervising adults, guests, and siblings on the sidelines during practices or games - basically anyone watching from the sidelines!

1. I will emphasize that the game is played for fun, and for the benefit of the youth, not adults.
2. I will act as a role model by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, and game officials – regardless of race, creed, color, gender, religion, or ability.
3. I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, parent, or spectator such as booing and taunting, refusing to shake hands, or using profane language or gestures.
4. I will teach my child to play within the spirit and intentions of the rules and the Laws of the Game.
5. I will refrain from criticizing the game officials, and will respect their authority and decisions during games even if I disagree with the decision.
6. I will never place the value of winning over the safety and welfare of the players.
7. I will demand a sports environment free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sporting events.
8. I will not encourage, invite, nor recruit any player from an opposing team to join my child’s team during the playing season.
9. I will participate in this sport with my child by offering my services to cheer on the team and the spirit of the game. I will volunteer if I am able.
10. I will ensure my child is on time to practices and games and will also be sure to be there during games and pick-up my child on time. I will make sure my child has my contact information where they can reach me should a practice or game end early or if my child is injured and be ready to pick up my child without delaying the coach or other volunteers.

1. I will demonstrate fair play and good sportsmanship at every practice, game and tournament. I will also encourage fair play and good sportsmanship from other players, coaches, officials, and parents.
2. I will attend every practice and game that I can, and I will notify my coach if I cannot make a practice or game.
3. I will come to practices and games on time and ready to learn. I accept responsibility for bringing any equipment necessary for practices and games (ball, cleats, shin guards, uniform, water,).
4. I will follow coaching direction and will not be disruptive during practice or games, nor will I “mouth off” or use bad language.
5. I will treat other players, coaches, officials, and fans with respect regardless of race, sex, or ability, and I will expect to be treated accordingly.
6. I will respect the authority of the referee, even though I may sometimes disagree with the call.
7. I deserve to have fun during my soccer experience. I will alert parents or coaches if it stops being fun.
8. I deserve to play in an environment free of drugs, including tobacco and alcohol, and will expect everyone to refrain from their use at all practices and games.
9. I will encourage my parents to be involved with my team in some capacity because it is important to me.
10. I will conduct myself with honor, dignity and treat other players as I would like to be treated. I will remember at all times that I am representing Eden Prairie Soccer Association, my team and my community.
11. I understand that poor behavior during practices, games, or tournaments may result in lost playing time and expulsion from the team.

Photo policy

Please be aware pictures of your child may be taken during Eden Prairie Soccer Association (EPSA) related events and may be posted to the EPSA website for the purposes of promoting and illustrating EPSA activities. By registering your child for EPSA activities, you give permission to the Eden Prairie Soccer Association to use such photos/your child's likeness without compensation or your further consent.

Legal notice

By registering your child for participation in Eden Prairie Soccer Association for the current season, you are agreeing to indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Eden Prairie Soccer Association, its coaches, referees, volunteers and agents from any liability and the expense for defending against the same, which are caused by, arise out of, or are related to any claim for injury asserted by, on behalf of or against your child, except to the extent any such liability is covered by insurance of the Eden Prairie Soccer Association.

Coach volunteers

If you are volunteering to be a Coach or Assistant Coach, you give the Eden Prairie Soccer Association permission to run a background check.

EPSA operates on a tight budget and relies on registration fees to cover field costs, referee fees, custom jerseys, equipment, and other expenses. Because we commit to these costs based on registrations, refunds are limited.

If EPSA cancels a program or cannot place your child on a team, a full refund will be issued, minus registration platform processing fees.

To cancel a registration, send an email to registration@edenprairiesoccer.org. Refunds of up to $50.00 are only available if the player paid the full registration fee and if the request has been submitted at least 10 days before the scheduled start of the season. Players who have received scholarship assistance are not eligible for any refund regardless of when they cancel their registration.

No refunds

• Once the season starts
• For players removed from the program due to behavior issues or rule violations
• For voluntary withdrawals after the season begins

Special circumstances

We understand that unexpected situations happen. If you have an extenuating circumstance (serious injury, family emergency, relocation), please contact registration@edenprairiesoccer.org. We will review your situation on a case-by-case basis.

1. Each coach will maintain control over the behavior of those team players who are identified on his/her team roster.
2. Each coach will make an energetic effort to request any and all spectators on the side line where he/she is located to refrain from harassing any other coaches, players, referees or linesmen.
3. Coaches will not tolerate any bad language, abuse, or interference by one player onto another player either on their own team or onto another player either on their own team or onto a player on the opposing team.
4. All coaches will develop and encourage good sportsmanlike behavior and habits in the players on their team.
5. All coaches will watch for any unsportsmanlike behavior by one of their own players including deliberate kicking, fighting, spitting, physical or verbal abuse at any other player, official or spectator and immediately bench that player or players for the balance of the current game or practice.
6. All coaches will accept and support, without question, any and all decisions of the officials at the existing game. Any and all complaints with respect to disagreements on calls made by the officials will be forwarded by the coach in writing to the Coaching Director or the Referee Director who will then respond to the complaint verbally and/or in written format.
7. Although it is a coach’s aim and duty to find the most economical way of helping a player to become a better, no coach will use any form of coercion: verbal, physical or discriminatory, to achieve these results.
8. Coaches will make every effort to see that all players on the roster play an equal amount of time in every game.
9. Coaches will see that on the completion of each game, all players will shake hands with the opposing team, thank each player for a good game and then thank the officials and other coach for their participation in the game.
10. Coaches must comply with the meaning and the spirit of the playing rules. Purposely ignoring or willfully violating rules is inexcusable. Those who break the rules degrade not only themselves, but the game, their team and their fellow coaches.
11. The ethics and sportsmanship of the coaches must be exemplary and beyond reproach. Everyone participating must conduct himself so that he or she is a credit to the sport, to fellow coaches, the players and to athletic competition in general.
12. Coaches will lead by example, demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all players, coaches and officials.
13. Coaches recognize each player needs to be treated as an individual, remembering the large differences in ability, emotional and physical development among his or her players.

The Eden Prairie Soccer Association has developed an Emergency Action Plan in the event of a major injury, severe weather or other emergency event.

It is important that each person know what to do in the event of an emergency. Just as the teams practice on the field, the coaching staff, referees and parents should understand what to do in the event of an emergency and be ready to act when told by individuals who have practiced this Emergency Action Plan.

In the event of an injury or accident

• Check the participant for the type of injury and perform first aid within the limits of your abilities
• Identify ONE person to constantly monitor the individual and note signs and symptoms.
• Locate or Contact the parent or guardian.
• Coaches should have a roster with contact phone numbers with them at every game and practice.
• Ask bystanders for medical help.
• Identify someone to call 911 if needed and be prepared to give the location name and address:
• Flying Cloud Fields 15219 Pioneer Trail
• Franlo Park Fields 10245 Franlo Road
• Miller Park Fields 8208 Eden Prairie Road
• Identify someone as a flag man on the road to direct emergency personal to the correct field.
• Have someone identified to move the team away from the injured person and maintain supervision over the team.
• Have someone responsible for crowd control.
• Immediately after the accident, record in writing the incident and all that you can remember including names of individuals who assisted in the incident. Submit to the President of the Eden Prairie Soccer Association (president@edenprairiesoccer.org). 

All coaches must complete free concussion training once every three years. The training takes about 45 minutes and includes a video and quiz.

How to Complete Training

1. Take the FREE online course CLICK HERE
2. Pass the test
3. Save your Certificate of Completion
4. Email the certificate to risk-management@edenprairiesoccer.org

Minnesota law requires coaches to remove any player showing signs of a concussion. A doctor must clear the player before they can return to play.

If your child is suspected of having a concussion

The player should be pulled from the game immediately. Coaches will review the signs and symptoms a child is showing and feeling. You are encouraged to take your child to a healthcare professional. Your child cannot return to soccer until both parent and player read and sign the CONCUSSION AWARENESS DOCUMENT and send it to the Coaching Director at coaching@edenprairiesoccer.org

Parents and players

You don't have to take the training, but we encourage you to review the concussion awareness document linked above.