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After two successful seasons as the Torch FC women’s head coach, Melissa Lollar has stepped down to focus on the role of being “Mom” to the baby she will deliver in March. We want to both thank her for the time and energy she devoted to serving with Torch Sports Ministry and congratulate her and her husband, Jason, on the upcoming birth of their first child. We are excited to announce that he has accepted our invitation to become the 7th coach for the women’s program.

Jason played his college soccer for a very successful program at Wheaton College and played 2 years for Torch FC men’s teams which is how he met his wife. After college, Jason served in the youth ministry at Calvary Church in Souderton and eventually become the Director of Youth Ministries. Following the Lord’s leading, Jason stepped down from that role to join the staff of Young Life. He also is the assistant coach for the Pennridge High School girls’ soccer team under head coach Audrey Anderson. They are the  2020 PA State Champions.

Torch FC Return-to-Play Guidelines:

Torch FC families, players, and coaches are required to follow these guidelines as we resume soccer activities:

Communicable Diseases Waiver

All players must have a signed waiver in place before they are allowed to participate in any restart activities, no exceptions.

Pre-camp

• Health check by parent on player to ensure regular temperature and no symptoms of sickness.
• No player or coach can attend a session if they have an elevated temperature or are feeling unwell.
• Each player must have their own equipment, including ball, cleats, shin guards, practice jersey, etc.
• No water, water bottles, drinks or food of any kind can be shared between players. Please label all items.
• Players should bring hand sanitizer, tissues, and any other personal health items they may require.

Arrival

• Families should avoid carpooling with other children who are not in the same household.
• Children should be dropped off in designated spots at the facility. Signs will be posted.
• No child should arrive earlier than 15 minutes before start time.
• Children will have a designated area for their bag and equipment.

During Camp

• At the end of all activities and drills, participants will use hand sanitizer.
• Coaches will wear masks when in proximity to other people.
• Contact will be limited between children during the training session, including: high-fives, handshakes, or other celebrations.
• Coaches will move all equipment as necessary. Children will not touch equipment.
• Parents must maintain social distance at all times with anyone not in their household while at the practice facility.

Post Practice

• Children must clean their personal equipment area, nothing may remain behind.
• Children must be picked up at designated pick-up areas. And assigned Camp Manager will direct pick-up to ensure compliance and protocols are followed.
• Children should wash hands once home.
• Chidlren’s equipment should be sanitized after camp.
• Coaches will sanitize team equipment after each day.

Reporting of COVID Exposure

• Parents must notify Torch FC within 12 hours if the child or someone in the child’s home is presumed positive or tests positive for COVID.
• Coaches must notify Torch FC within 12 hours if the coach or someone in their home is presumed positive or tests positive for COVID.
• Operational protocols are in place for post-camp tracking.
• Torch FC will notify participants who came in contact with the individual of potential exposure following CDC guidelines and HIPAA regulations on confidentiality.
• Children or coaches confirmed positive for COVID must quarantine as required by CDC/PA Dept. of Health and can only return with a Doctor’s approval.

For all Torch FC COVID related policy questions and concerns, contact:
Lauren Rhoads
Torch Risk Manager – Certified Athletic Trainer

Torch player, Gabrielle Farrell, named to Jamaican National team. For 3 years Gabby has stood out as Torch favorite and biggest offensive threat. She has led the team in goals all three years and is always willing to share her personal salvation story with the opposing team.
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“Playing for the Jamaican national team has really been a dream come true. Jamaica is a country that is so incredibly close to my heart. Both my parents being born on the island, I grew up so in tune with my roots and so in love with the culture. With just about 90% of my extended family still living there, Jamaica is my home away from home. To represent this country means more to me than I can really put into words. Also playing for the Torch has been really life-changing for me as well. The people that I have met and the things that I have learned through these past few years here is invaluable. Having coaches and teammates pour into me daily and continue pushing me in my faith has been a blessing, and has allowed me to be a leader in my faith in many ways. God has been so good to me and opened so many doors for me. I am so excited to continue glorifying him through the game I love” (Gabrielle Farell). (@gabbfarrell)
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“Gabby has been such a huge part of Torch Sports Ministry for the last 4 years. She exemplifies why Torch was started… to show that following Jesus makes us better people, athletes, husbands or wives, etc. This is so important because it allows us to share the Gospel and have the message be respected,” Rich Sparling, Torch President.