Silverlakes needs to take the lead on player safety

Silverlakes, one of the most used soccer complexes in Southern California, and due to the density of the population of the surrounding areas, likely one of the most used venues in the United States, needs to take the lead on player safety. While the complex has a lot of space that allows players to seek shade between games and cool off, a set of core values beyond making more money needs to be established in order to ensure player, parent and referee safety.

1) Do not schedule games on turf during the hottest months between 10-5 PM. Some kids can handle it, some can't, but in all cases, a game on turf from June-November is not a game, it's a war. There are plenty of grass fields that are fine to use when it gets hot. If there is a small sacrifice on field quality in order to improve the lives of children, it's worth it. Playing on turf in extreme heat, as everyone knows, is toxic to even the parents who can't afford a drink in the bar overlooking the field. Extreme heat takes the fun out of the game and the only reason that games are scheduled at that time is because people who are not sensitive to the needs of children are the ones scheduling them. Make no mistake, a scheduling issue is not a valid reason to play a game on turf in extreme heat. Everyone who has a kid in college knows that an athletic trainer will stop an NCAA game if conditions are extreme. A trial by fire as a kid is not a pre-condition for playing in college. A number of the fields have lights, and evening games are a better way to end the day than hydrating for hours after a game in hell and having a headache the next day in recovery.

2) Don't schedule multiple events during soccer game. Everyone who endured National Cup this year during a concert saw kids running down the street in order to reach their field in time for their game. Factor in the gas money, parking money, road rage, stress, that's not a day of soccer, it's a quagmire. And this is all down to the organizers greed and lack of empathy for parents and players. If there's a big tournament, break it up to different locations where it's cooler and safer and everyone gets the quality of experience they deserve.

A set of core values would ensure better treatment for all. Parents can help this situation by pressuring club directors to adhere to a standard that is better for all. If enough speak up, the schedulers will listen. Yes, that's a tall order considering who is charge of these games and schedules most of the time. Yes, safety is an afterthought. Everyone knows it. Parents who tell their kids things like, "in my day we didn't worry about stuff like this" are missing the point and are not in reality. Times have changed. Those in powerful roles in the soccer community in Southern California need to stand up and take note and focus on the children, not the bottom line. It's a huge ask for these folk who are used to doing whatever they can to increase profits, but it's time to step up and take responsibility for child safety.
Bummed we're not playing this weekend but don't miss the heat out there. Hopefully the tournament folks checked out this thread.
 
For Silverlakes in the summer, When it’s 100 degree weather just run tournaments from 8am to noon and 6pm to 9pm. Heck they have so many fields they should be able to run most of Them in the morning.

You could also reduce playing time by 10 minutes.

They can even get some of those water sprayers in each corner or temporary shade on some of the fields. This obviously cost a lot of money but there is a way.
At 1900.00 per team they can afford it.
We played out there this afternoon and there was quite a breeze and it was pretty dry, not so bad.
Girls weren’t complaining too much.
 
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