Despite Covid, Hewlett Lawrence Soccer Club gets its kicks in

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While the coronavirus pandemic has curtailed youth sports across the country, the Hewlett Lawrence Soccer Club managed to overcome the challenges the spreading virus presented and complete its fall season.

The nonprofit HLSC, for players ranging in age from 4 to 18, is part of the Long Island Junior Soccer League, and has been in operation since 1970. Its eight-week season began on Sept. 8 and ended on Nov. 14.

David Friedman, an HLSC board member and the president of the Hewlett-Woodmere Business Association, described his role this season as the Covid-19 prevention officer and field marshal, making sure players, coaches and parents were wearing masks and social distancing.

“I stood there at the gate giving out free masks to those who didn’t have it,” Friedman said. “We also gave out hand sanitizer to players and parents.” The club received string backpacks from sponsor Northwell GoHealth that contained hand sanitizer and safety information about preventing the spread of the virus. Friedman added that instead of shaking hands at the end of games, teams clapped at each other from a distance.

Chris Albanese, the club’s treasurer and the coach of the 16-year-old boys’ travel team, said that when the LIJSL presented safety protocols in mid-June, he and other club members knew they could pull off the fall season. “It was just before summer … when everybody could feel that this could happen, but we knew we had to move quickly,” Albanese said. “It then became a matter of where we could play, and who’s going to play.”

After negotiations among HLSC, the Lawrence Woodmere Academy and the Hewlett-Woodmere School District over the summer that were led by HLSC president Sabino Vardaro, a majority of the games were played at LWA and Woodmere Middle School, with some at North Woodmere Park.

“All the districts wanted to take a look at the protocols, and wanted the comfort that it was going to be done safely,” Friedman added. “I think we did a good job of providing that safety to the districts.”

Friedman said that it was important for the mental health of the children to play. “This season worked out so well, and the kids needed this,” he said. “They’ve been so isolated, and just to get them out playing with their friends has been great.”

Albanese agreed, and also pointed out that it was crucial for athletes who may play college soccer to get the season in. “Last spring my son wasn’t able to play baseball, since the season got canceled,” he said. “For our spring season, seniors are going to college showcases, and some players have scholarships riding on that. I’m most happy with the fact that we were able to get the season in and the kids didn’t have to take a season off.”

Friedman also credited the players and their parents for observing the safety protocols. “From the time a player would step out of their car to the moment they would step on the field, a mask had to be worn,” he said. “Credit goes to both the parents and players for cooperating with the safety protocols. That’s a big part of what made this season work.”

There was a small decline in participation, Albanese said, which he expected. “I started about 25 percent down on my roster, and that was true for teams across the board,” he said. “Once school sports were canceled, we did see a slight bump up, since all the kids playing school ball wanted to play with us.”

Albanese said he would look back on this season with pride. “We fought for these kids, and we got them on the field and all they wanted to do was play,” he said. “It was a safe place for them, and they were able to get some fresh air and exercise. I had kids on my team who are remote learning at school, and this was their only time to get out of the house.”

For more information on the Hewlett Lawrence Soccer Club, go to www.hlsc.org.

Have an opinion on youth sports during the pandemic? Send letter to jbessen@liherald.com.

Correction: The photo was taken by photographer Mikki Kost.