BSA Fall Soccer is now open for registration!

BSA is so excited to be back on the pitch this fall! While things will look a bit different, we are just as dedicated as ever to maintain our focus on fun, fitness and fundamentals. BSA soccer is open to children of all abilities - we welcome players who are completely new to soccer and those with more experience!

Registration information for boys and girls for U6, U8, U10 and U13 is available here. We look forward to seeing you on the pitch!

BSA has been hard at work reviewing opportunities for your children to return to their favorite sports this fall. As I wrote in our September Newsletter, we have not been able to begin our regular BSA season at the International School of Brussels due to the Covid-19 measures implemented by the school.

However, we have been looking into other options and we're happy to report that we may be able to organize a short-term partnership with Brussels Lacrosse at Stade Fallon in Woluwe Saint Lambert. We fully recognize that the change of location may be a challenge for some of our families. We are also aware that a late start to the season may present additional concerns as your child may have already chosen other options.

In light of these potential changes, we are writing to inquire about your child's interest in joining BSA Lacrosse Programming should we be able to finalize this partnership.

If you are interested in registering for BSA Lacrosse, please take one minute to complete this short survey.

You can learn more about BSA Lacrosse here. Please feel free to reach out to us directly by email at either of the addresses below if you have additional concerns or questions.

We look forward to providing updated information soon.

Sincerely,

Jodi Harris - BSA Managing Director; office@bsasports.org

John Bernards - BSA Lacrosse Director; lacrosse@bsasports.org

Are you looking for a rewarding, fun and engaging volunteer opportunity?

Are you ready for meaningful work that draws from your skills and experience?

Are you an excellent communicator? 

Do you enjoy working with creative, committed and dynamic teams to create something that truly makes a difference in your community?

The BSA Board Secretary position could be just what you're looking for!

The BSA is is seeking to fill this position immediately. A great candidate will bring energy, focus and new ideas to our engaged team of volunteer directors. He or she will be committed to serving for at least 2 years in the Secretary position. Previous experience with BSA (as a coach, volunteer or parent) is a plus, but not required. Excellent communication skills in English are required. Additional languages (particularly French or Dutch) would be an added bonus.

Read the entire Board Secretary position description here.

Get in touch with the BSA Managing Director, Jodi Harris, by emailing office@bsasports.org to learn more or to communicate your interest in the position.

Brussels Sports Association Covid-19 Guidelines and Procedures

BSA is committed to do everything we can so that our players, coaches, parents and volunteers can safely return to sports in the upcoming fall season. We are working with our partners at the International School of Brussels to ensure that when our players are back on the field, we are following the guidelines of both our ISB partner and the regulations outlined by the Belgian authorities.

The BSA Board of Directors has outlined the following Covid-19 safety procedures. These procedures will be updated regularly to reflect any changes implemented by ISB or the Belgian authorities.

If your child is sick: 

• If your child is showing symptoms consistent with Covid-19 (cough, sore throat, fever over 37.5C) they should NOT participate in BSA sports.

• If your child is showing symptoms of Covid-19, immediately contact your doctor and notify the BSA by emailing office@bsasports.org.

• If your child has a positive Covid-19 test, they should follow the government protocols for quarantine and should not return to BSA sports until they receive a negative Covid-19 test. You should immediately notify BSA at office@bsasports.org.

• If your child has a negative Covid-19 test, they should continue to refrain from BSA activities until they have been symptom-free for at least 72 hours.

If a parent, guardian or another member of a BSA player’s family is sick:

• If you, a guardian or someone in your family is showing symptoms consistent with Covid-19 (cough, sore throat, fever over 37.5C) they should NOT come to a BSA activity (for drop-off, pick-up or as an observer). 

• Additionally, if a guardian or family member is sick or showing Covid-10 symptoms, all members of that household, (including siblings), should refrain from participating in BSA activities. You should notify BSA immediately by emailing office@bsasports.org.

• If you, a guardian or someone in your family is showing symptoms of Covid-19, immediately contact your doctor and notify the BSA by emailing office@bsasports.org.

• If you, a guardian or someone in your family has a positive Covid-19 test, they should follow the government protocols for quarantine and should not return to BSA activities until they receive a negative Covid-19 test. You should immediately notify BSA at office@bsasports.org.

• If you, a guardian or another individual in your family has a negative Covid-19 test, they should continue to refrain from BSA activities until they have been symptom-free for at least 72 hours.

When participating in BSA sports programming:

• All children are required to wear a mask during drop-off, pick-up and while awaiting instructions for play. As a general rule, unless engaged in play, your child should be wearing a mask. Please encourage your child to keep their mask easily accessible.

• Players must sanitize their hands upon arrival and before leaving the session. Hand-sanitizer will be available at all BSA activities.

• Players should maintain a distance of 1.5 meters during pick-up, drop-off, waiting on the sidelines and when receiving instruction from coaches.

• Your child must bring their own water bottle, clearly labeled with their name. The ISB drinking fountains will be disabled.

• Except where medically necessary (e.g. Type 1 Diabetes or other health condition), players should not bring snacks to BSA activities. If your child has a medical condition requiring them to have access to snacks, please be sure to denote in the “Health Considerations” section upon registration. Please also notify your child’s coach.

• For activities at the International School of Brussels, toilets will be available during BSA activities. Children will be allowed to go to the toilet one-at-a-time and must wash their hands before returning to play. When possible, players should use the toilet before coming to their BSA activity. 

• In order to maintain the utmost safety, it is important that your child be able to follow the instructions of their coach. Children who refuse to wear a mask, maintain appropriate social distancing or who otherwise cannot adhere to the BSA Covid-19 guidelines, should not participate in BSA programming.

In order to ensure the safety of our participants, their families and our volunteers, BSA will:

• Sanitize all equipment after each training session or game.

• Require that our coaches and volunteers wear face masks or face shields at all times during BSA activities.

• Require that our coaches and volunteers stay home if they have Covid-19 symptoms and that they notify their health care provider immediately.

• Require that any coaches or volunteers who have a Covid-19 diagnosis follow the Belgian government guidelines for quarantine and only return to BSA activities after completing a 14-day quarantine and receiving a negative Covid-19 test result.

• Limit the number of children engaged in each sports activity and maintain specific player cohorts throughout the period of the program for which a player is registered.

• Notify parents immediately if a player, parent, guardian or other close family member in their cohort has Covid-19 symptoms. All BSA activities within that cohort will be immediately suspended. In the event that the symptomatic individual receives a negative Covid-19 test, BSA may opt to resume programming for that cohort.

A PDF of our Covid-19 Guidelines and Procedures is available here. Please contact Managing Director Jodi Harris at office@bsasports.org with any questions.

The Latest BSA Fall Sports Programming News

Thank you all for your patience over the past few weeks as we've navigated the ups and downs of coordinating our fall programming during the Covid-19 pandemic. While it may seem that much of life has returned to some level of normal, as a small, not-for-profit organization, BSA is at times especially vulnerable to the uncertainty of the situation. We are grateful for the many questions and inquiries we've received over the past few weeks.

The following information will also be shared in the BSA Monthly Newsletter. We are sharing it here as well and will add more news as things change. Thank you again for your patience and understanding.

BSA Fall Soccer and Lacrosse

Due to the Covid-19 situation, ISB has let us know they are unable to accommodate regular BSA soccer and lacrosse programming at this time. The school is, understandably, taking a cautious approach in allowing individuals not affiliated with the school to come onto campus. Because BSA is dedicated to bringing together young people from across the international community of Brussels, regardless of school affiliation, this means right now we are not able to access the school fields after school and on weekends.

ISB+ Soccer (for ISB Families Only)

It is our understanding that ISB is in the planning phase for ISB+ Activities and we can confirm that if/when ISB+ Activities are opened, BSA will be offering after school soccer programming for grades 1-6. The intention is for this programming to focus on skill development and training. Stay tuned to your ISB Newsflash as well as the BSA Facebook page for more updates.

What's Next...

BSA is a small, mostly volunteer-run non-profit. We rely on the support of our dedicated partners and sponsors to bring our high-quality sports programming to the international community in Brussels. For over 60 years, BSA's largest in-kind partner has been the International School of Brussels. We are extremely grateful for ISB's commitment to BSA and we remain incredibly appreciative of ISB's support in terms of field and gym space, logistical support and dedication to promoting BSA's programs. We couldn't do what we do without ISB! 

We are thrilled that ISB+ will, for the third year in a row, include BSA Soccer for ECC and Elementary School. We look forward to seeing some of your children on the pitch after school! We're looking for 6 volunteer coaches to support ISB+. That could be you! Email our Soccer Director Jamie Martino (soccer@bsasports.org) if you're interested in volunteering as a soccer coach.

In the upcoming weeks, BSA will continue to work with ISB so that, in the event that BSA is granted access for regular BSA programming, we are able to open registration. We anticipate having an update by mid-September and are committed to keeping you all informed. In the meantime, BSA's leadership is continuing to look for affordable, alternative field options. If you are aware of options that may work for BSA, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Welcome BSA's New Basketball Director!

BSA is pleased to welcome the newest member of our leadership team - Darby Carter. Darby has just been confirmed by the Board of Directors as our new Basketball Director. We are absolutely thrilled to have him on board! 

 More About Darby...

Darby was raised in Asheville, North Carolina and joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating high school. After 22 years of service, he retired from the USMC in 2014. During his career with the USMC, he served in numerous locations throughout the United States and overseas. He previously served in Brussels with his wife, Kim, from 2005-2008.  

Darby has been involved in basketball his entire life through intramural sports, coaching youth sports, and adult recreational leagues.  He enjoys being involved in communities and believes sports offer a great opportunity to not only advance athleticism and team skills which are invaluable in youth development, but also grow self-confidence and teach flexibility to adapt in all situations.

Darby, Kim, and their daughter Rainey have lived in Fairfax, Virginia; Stuttgart, Germany; Stockholm, Sweden; Ljubljana, Slovenia; Zagreb, Croatia, and just returned to Brussels in July 2020. Darby also has an older son, Joe, who lives and works in Fairfax, Virginia.

May 20, 2020

Dear Parents and Supporters of Brussels Sports Association (BSA),

We are writing to inform you that our leadership team has had to make the difficult decision to cancel the spring sporting season due to Covid-19 restrictions. We recognize that this will be a disappointment to all of our BSA children and families who were excited for spring baseball, lacrosse, and soccer.  Our team of parent and community volunteers is feeling the same way.

We are facing an unprecedented financial situation and confronting the reality of what this loss means for the future of BSA. As a not-for-profit organization, we rely heavily upon the generosity of our sponsors, the commitment of our volunteers and the income from registration fees to cover our operations expenses.    

What is the current status for BSA?

Our most pressing issue is addressing the financial implications of the evolving Covid-19 pandemic.  Prior to the lock down, BSA made a significant investment in equipment needed to safely play our spring sports. Equipment such as baseball nets, balls, tees, training equipment, and lacrosse helmets were all purchased in advance of the season. Consistent with standard procedures, we made these purchases with the anticipation that a strong turnout for our programs would cover costs. Additionally, BSA relies on registration fees to cover ongoing administrative costs including insurance, salaries and operational expenses.  

What is our goal?

• BSA hopes to raise 10,000 euros to cover the cost of non-returnable equipment purchased for spring sports and meet our ongoing financial obligations.

What can you do to help?

• If you registered for a spring program, you are entitled to a refund or a credit to your account. We also invite you to consider donating the amount of your registration to BSA.  Click here for instructions.  

• Consider making a donation.  Click here to donate.

BSA has served the international community in Belgium since 1958 by providing soccer, basketball, baseball, and lacrosse. Throughout the summer we will be working hard to determine what type of programming we will be able to offer in the fall.  Your donations will help ensure the survival of our organization and enable us to continue providing quality sports programming to your children for years to come.  

 

Kind Regards,

Kat Reine, Executive Director (Incumbent)

Jodi Harris,  Executive Director (Successor)

Jodi Harris is an American who has lived in Belgium since August 2019. She and her husband Jeremy, a diplomat with the US Department of State, have spent the past 11 years overseas with time divided between the Dominican Republic, Madagascar, Tokyo and now Belgium. She has also lived in Spain and Northern Ireland. She grew up in the Hill Country of Central Texas and calls Austin home.

Jodi’s three children, Jasper, Sam and Imogen, all attend ISB and she first became interested in BSA when she had the opportunity to co-coach her son Sam’s U13 BSA basketball team.  

Jodi has participated in sports her entire life starting with dance, gymnastics and basketball in elementary and continuing with basketball and cheerleading in high school. As an adult, she has been an avid runner and loves supporting her children in their athletic pursuits. She rarely turns down a chance to throw a ball or shoot some hoops.

Jodi also enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, traveling to new places, and learning about and practicing mindfulness. She loves to read and her favorite place to be is outdoors, feet propped up with a great book she can’t put down.

Jodi has a B.A. in English and a B.A. in Spanish (1995) as well as a Master’s Degree in Social Work (2004) from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also trained mindfulness teacher. She has been a corporate trainer, a high school teacher, a clinical social worker, a program manager for Peace Corps, and since 2013 has run her own business providing coaching and mindfulness training to individuals living outside their home cultures. She also currently serves as the Vice President on the board of Families in Global Transition.

Jodi is looking forward to joining the BSA team and supporting the organization in continued community building, outreach and success during these unpredictable times. 

If you have signed up to coach or are interested in helping coach our baseball program this spring season plan to come to our coaches training on 15 March from 2:00-3:00.  Come and learn coaching tips and tricks to help have a great team of players this season.  Coaches will receive a free BSA hoodie, training, and understand what to expect for the upcoming season as a coach.  Come dressed ready to be active and learn more about coaching baseball.  Please find below, additional schedule information.

Sunday, 15 March 

Where: International School of Brussels (ISB), meet at the Lower Field.  

When: 2:00-3:00