July 22, 2020

Northside Families,

We regret to inform you that due to new regulations and prohibitions that are outside our control, the Board of Directors have been forced to cancel the Northside 2020 Fall Recreation season. The fields Northside uses are Albemarle County owned. On Monday, July 20th, Albemarle County’s Department of Parks and Recreation sent us a letter stating that youth sports are unable to utilize the fields for practices. Previously, our league was notified that we would not be able to hold games nor scrimmages on the fields. The Board had made new accommodations for our games to be played in Greene County. However, with the new restrictions, Northside has no other option but to cancel the season.

For families who registered in the Spring 2020, since we will not be able to apply a credit to the Fall Season, the league will provide a significant credit for your Spring 2021 registrations. Please stay tuned for further correspondence on the details as we get closer to the Spring registration date. Players who are aging out of the league this coming Spring, we will be in touch to discuss options available to you. Unfortunately, full refunds for everyone is not a possibility due to cash on hand and expenses already incurred. Equipment had been purchased, charters signed, uniforms paid for, fields maintained, and insurance on all players purchased. What has been invested already will need to be conferred into the Spring 2021 season. The league tries to keep registration fees reasonable by relying heavily on concession sales and fundraising. The league spends economically to keep registration fees low and so we can offer scholarships to youth that otherwise would not have the opportunity to participate in sports. If a family would like to donate their credit back to the league to be used for players in this situation, please let us know by emailing info@playnorthside.org.

During the last four months, the Board of Directors have been receiving continuously changing and inconsistent regulations for return to play. In response, we have been making adjustments to the best of our ability for a season to occur. The Board has been in constant communication, meeting virtually multiple times a month, as well. It is and has been the Board’s intention to provide Northside families with updates and transparency when plans have been altered or solidified. We hope our newsletters have conveyed this. Please send questions and concerns regarding Northside’s season to info@playnorthside.org.  

Lastly, we ask that families keep in mind that we, the Board, are paying parents like you. The Board of Directors consist of people who believe in the benefit of team sports for youth. We are parents who want their children to reap those benefits. Many of us are also coaches, who volunteer to share the love of the sport with the players. We want to be out on the field as much as anyone, and are disappointed in this news, as well. Thank you for your understanding during this time. 

Northside Board of Directors