• Adult Registration/Informed Consent
• Acknowledgement Statement

A. Coaches, assistant coaches and coaching-related positions
B. Trainers
C. Team Managers / Responsible Adults affiliated with the team
D. Board of Directors or managers of all Affiliate Members, leagues and organizations associated with MYSA, including those serving on the MYSA Executive Board and Youth Council and District Operating Committee Members
E. All employees of MYSA
F. All independent contractors who enter into contracts with MYSA, if they have contact with those identified as ‘Players"

A) Designate a local Risk Manager and alternate to serve as the liaison to the MYSA State Risk Manager (SRM).

B) Ensure that all affected volunteers comply with this policy.

C) Ensure complaints of abuse are investigated and reported to the MYSA-SRM.

2. Affiliate Member Risk Managers will:

A) Serve as a liaison to the MYSA-SRM.

B) Distribute and collect Adult Registration/Informed Consent form (WI residents form) completed by those positions as defined.

C) Forward all Adult Registration/Informed Consent forms to your (club) Affiliate Member Risk Manager for potential background checks and administration of any necessary discipline.

D) Receive and forward to the SRM, complaints of violations of the guidelines and policies, including complaints of physical or sexual abuse of a player. Complaints of such abuse should be reported immediately to the local law enforcement authorities.

E) Advise local Board of Directors on modifications, additions, and enforcement of guidelines and policies.

3. State Risk Manager/MYSA Vice President of Administration will:

A) Ensure that all Affiliate Members comply with the guidelines and policies.

B) Serve as liaison to the Affiliate Member Risk Managers and will be responsible for sharing information, publications, materials, and ideas to better prepare Affiliate Member RM’s for this duty. In addition, the State Risk Manager shall conduct training for Affiliate Member Risk Managers on how to handle complaints and determine appropriate discipline for guideline violations.

C) Contract with a reliable agency to perform background checks on persons designated by these policies.

D) Determine if a person should be excluded from participation or involvement in MYSA programs, based on the information received through the Adult Registration/Informed Consent forms or background checks.

E) Notify applicants or existing members in writing by certified mail of their rejection or expulsion. Notify the State Coaching Director and the MYSA Youth Council of the unacceptability of an applicant or member.

F) Receive and investigate (from the Affiliate Member’s Risk Manager) any complaints of violations of the guidelines and policies, except complaints of physical or sexual abuse of a player. Complaints of such abuse should be reported immediately to the local law enforcement authorities.

G) Compile a written report of each non-abuse violation investigated, including steps taken, persons spoken to, and findings regarding the allegation.

H)   Upon investigation, impose discipline on persons found to have violated the guidelines and policies.

I)   Notify the complainant and the accused of the findings regarding alleged violations and discipline imposed.

J)   Provide information regarding the right to appeal with the notification of findings.

K)   If decision is appealed, submit written report to Appeals Committee and appear at hearing.

L)   Advise the Affiliate Board of Directors on modifications, additions, and enforcement of guidelines and policies.

M)   Collect Adult Registration/Informed Consent forms and have background checks performed insofar as the State staff, Board Members, volunteers for State tournaments or other persons involved with State-run events are concerned.

N)   Periodically review and update this policy as needed.

O)   Receive copies of all written reports of Affiliate Member risk managers regarding alleged player physical or sexual abuse and harassment. The State Risk Manager shall maintain confidential files of all abuse and harassment reports made against persons involved with the sport. Copies received shall be forwarded as required by USYSA.

P)   Upon request by an Affiliate Member risk manager, or in the event a complaint is made against a risk manager or a member of his/her immediate family, investigate the complaint, make findings and determine the appropriate discipline, if necessary.

1. A per-player fee will be collected with the summer fees to cover the expense of an external vendor or additional staff person performing the background checks.

2. Information gathering:

A) Adult Registration/Informed Consent forms will be distributed annually and as needed.

B) Volunteers/staff must complete an Adult Registration/Informed Consent form upon initial appointment and every year thereafter.

C) Background checks will be conducted under the auspices of the State Risk Manager.

D) All information provided to the Affiliate Member and forwarded to the State Risk manager is to be held in strictest confidentiality.

3. Notification:

A) All notification must be conducted in writing and delivered by certified mail. If the State Risk Manager determines that a person should be excluded from participation in MYSA programs, a request for their resignation (within ten days of receipt of the letter) shall be included.

B) Both complainant and accused must be notified of any findings.

C) Information regarding the appeals process must be made available, in writing, at the time of notification of decision.

4. Appeals Process:

A) Either party in a complaint may appeal the decision rendered by the State Risk Manager.

B) Appeals will follow the MYSA/US Soccer guidelines. Please refer to the MYSA/US Soccer Administrative Rulebook for appeals procedures.

5. Failure to Comply

A) If an Affiliate Member does not identify a Risk Manager, the roles and responsibilities of that position will fall to the President or Executive Officer.

B) If an Affiliate Member allows a person to continue to participate after information indicates that individual should be excluded, that Affiliate Member will be in violation of the stated policies and guidelines and liable to disciplinary action from MYSA and the Youth Council. The penalties for failing to comply are as follows:

1. First Violation - The Affiliate Member will be assessed a $500 penalty.
2. Second Violation - The Affiliate Member will be assessed a $500 penalty and its teams will not be allowed to compete in any post-season tournaments.
3. Third Violation - The Affiliate Member will have its MYSA affiliation revoked for not less than two years.

C) If an applicant or existing volunteer refuses to provide information for an Adult Registration/Informed Consent form, they will automatically be excluded from further participation in the organization.

1. The Affiliate Member shall distribute to all members of the organization copies of the Player/Adult Safety Guidelines.
2. All applicants for positions as coaches, assistant coaches, athletic trainers, team managers/responsible adults, and Board Members shall return a completed Adult Registration/Informed Consent form to the Affiliate Member’s risk manager prior to beginning their work with the organization’s youth. The risk manager shall also have Adult Registration/Informed Consent forms signed by any other volunteer s/he deems necessary due to the volunteer’s access to the youth of the organization.
3. The Affiliate Member will forward the Adult Registration/Informed Consent forms to the State Risk Manager to have background checks performed on all applicants for positions as coaches, assistant coaches, athletic trainers, and board members annually. Background checks on volunteers not holding the positions specified above will be discretionary, not mandatory.
4. MYSA and its Affiliate Members shall not knowingly permit any person convicted of a crime against persons, a crime of violence, or the sale of illegal substances within the last 15 years to become or remain in any volunteer position for the organization. If background checks reveal convictions of any crimes within the past 15 years from the date of application, the person’s application shall be rejected or s/he will be dismissed from any position s/he holds in the organization. Any convictions occurring more than 15 years ago may be considered by the State Risk Manager in the determining of the applicant’s suitability for the position, but will not automatically disqualify the application.
5. The Affiliate Member shall appoint a local risk manager to distribute and collect the Adult Registration/Informed Consent forms and to act as a liaison between the Affiliate Member and the State Risk Manager.
6. The Affiliate Member, and/or MYSA, shall discipline persons found to have violated its Guidelines and policies.
7. The State Risk Manager shall share information found in performing background checks with the Affiliate Member Risk Manager.
8. In the event the Affiliate Member receives a complaint of physical or sexual abuse of a player, the risk manager shall report the abuse to the local law enforcement authorities.
9. After a physical or sexual abuse complaint has been formally lodged with the local law enforcement authority, the risk manager shall inform the alleged offender, in writing and by registered mail, that s/he is suspended immediately from all activities within the organization until the complaint is dismissed.
10. If any complaint is filed with MYSA regarding a violation of Player/Adult Protection Guidelines or the organization’s Harassment Policies, other than physical or sexual abuse, the State Risk Manager shall speak to all parties involved, make a written report of the complaint and his/her findings, and shall make a decision regarding discipline (if appropriate). If either party, the complainant or the accused, wishes to appeal the decision or discipline rendered by the State Risk Manager, they may do so to the MYSA Appeals Committee.
11. The committee shall hear the complaint in person or in writing. After hearing the complaint and any response, and reviewing the report of the State Risk Manager, the committee shall make its findings and determination.
12. The Affiliate Member shall send copies of such reports regarding alleged physical or sexual abuse of a player to the State Risk Manager. The State Risk Manager shall maintain confidential files of all abuse complaints made against persons involved in the organization.

DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this document, we will define ADULT as those persons in their roles as coach, assistant coach, board member, team manager or volunteer who works with, for or around PLAYERS. This would include anyone older than the age group they are interacting with; for example, a 15-year old assistant coach of a U-11 team would be considered an ADULT for the purposes of these Guidelines.

PLAYER defines all persons who are members of or play on a soccer team. This definition does include those players who participate at the U-19 level, even though they may be of legal age.

In the example of the 15-year old assistant coach: if s/he is also a rostered participant on a U-16 or higher team, that person is also subject to the guidelines applicable to a PLAYER.

I.    Physical Contact

A. ADULTS must be aware that any physical contact with PLAYERS can be misinterpreted. Physical contact should be limited to that necessary and appropriate to teach a skill, treat an injury, or console or congratulate a player. In the instance of teaching a skill, minimal contact should be involved and none which places the ADULT in a position of power and/or intimidation; for example, taking a PLAYER by the shoulders and physically moving them to another field or body position.

B. Sexual contact of any kind or type is prohibited between ADULTS and PLAYERS, whether or not contact is consensual. [The exemption to this guideline would be in the event of player/coach spouses or legally-declared domestic partners.]

II.    Social Contact

A. ADULTS should not socialize or spend time alone with PLAYERS except at games, practices, or team functions. An ADULT in a one-on-one situation with a PLAYER is generally inappropriate.

1. ADULTS should avoid instances such as driving alone with a non-family PLAYER. However, in the event that a PLAYER remains on a field waiting for transportation, the ADULT should wait with the PLAYER on the field to guarantee the PLAYER’S safety and well-being. (ADULTS should stress with their PLAYERS’ parents the responsibility for safe and timely transportation to and from the field.)
2. During out-of-town tournaments, a non-parent/custodian ADULT shall not share any sleeping arrangements with a PLAYER or PLAYERS.
3. ADULTS should respect the privacy of PLAYERS. If shower or changing room facilities are available, schedules should be arranged so that ADULTS and PLAYERS have separate use. If using a changing room, ADULTS should provide privacy for PLAYERS to make necessary preparations before entering for pre/post-game discussions. In addition, ADULTS should not allow others to enter except by the expressed wish of the PLAYERS still present.

III.    Health and Well-being

A. ADULTS share the responsibility for the PLAYERS’ health while at practices, scrimmages, and games. ADULTS should have PLAYERS’ release forms and medical kits with them at all times. ADULTS are also responsible for seeing that the field conditions are safe for the PLAYERS and that the field equipment is in good, safe condition prior to the start of any activity.

B. Head injuries resulting in disorientation should result in a PLAYER remaining out of the game.

C. ADULTS transporting players must model safe driving techniques and enforce seat belt use with PLAYERS and other vehicle occupants.

D. ADULTS need to be aware of signs of neglect and abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual) of the PLAYERS. Observations should be reported to the local law enforcement agency.

IV.    Language

A. Offensive and insulting language by ADULTS or PLAYERS is unacceptable. ADULTS should model good communication skills.

B. Language that is denigrating in nature, content or tone or refers to one’s gender, race, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or religion is unacceptable.

C.Inappropriate language targeting officials, opponents, or spectators may be grounds for PLAYER penalties or ADULTS’ removal from the game and/or the premises.

V.    Violations

A. Violations of these guidelines by ADULTS or PLAYERS will subject them to disciplinary actions, including but not limited to, warnings, sanctions, suspensions or release by the Affiliate Member and/or MYSA.

B. Appropriate legal authorities may be called upon based on the nature of the violation.

C. Anyone witnessing a violation of these guidelines should report the violation to the office of the State Risk Manager/Vice President of Administration, MYSA.