safety

Taking Safety SERIOUSLY

In a continuing mission to develop and deliver a quality youth soccer program that provides a fair, fun, safe and positive environment, below are important safety tips, policies, and forms- when necessary- to be completed by Referees, Coaches and Parents.

As an all-volunteer run organization, we all have a role to play in ensuring the safety of our kids.

Severe weather, whether to play

Practices and games should be suspended immediately at the first sign of lightning or thunder at the field. Play should not resume until 30 minutes after the last sign or sight of lightning or thunder.

Heads Up

Coach and Referee volunteers are required to take a CDC Concussion Awareness online course. We encourage all parents to learn more about Concussion Awareness. More resources at www.cdc.gov/headsup. When in doubt, sit them out.

Law Enforcement Conducting Activities at AYSO Event

• AYSO values maintaining a good relationship with all law enforcement organizations. So as to benefit communication with law enforcement organizations, should a law enforcement officer appear at an AYSO activity, it is appropriate to ask that officer why he or she is there without assuming the worst. It is also important for AYSO members to remember that they may not interfere with law enforcement officers carrying out their duties. It is important to know that a law enforcement officer may be present to i advise of an imminent threat of harm. However, officers have also been known to appear in uniform because their child or family member was playing in a game and they were on a break.

• Legitimate law enforcement officers will provide proof of their identity and the necessity of their actions. They will understand that AYSO cannot release children under our supervision without this proof. If there is any question about whether somebody acting as a law enforcement is an actual member of a law enforcement officer, that information can be confirmed by calling 911 without challenging the ability of the law enforcement officer to conduct his or her duties.

• If law enforcement officers appear at an AYSO event to arrest someone, they should be allowed to proceed without interference and with as much privacy as possible for those concerned. Please remember that interfering with their activities will not prevent the arrest and more than likely will only escalate the situation, escalate the required responses, and invite additional arrests. Most importantly, any attempt to interfere with a law enforcement activity will generate fear and anxiety among the players and participants.

• AYSO will cooperate with law enforcement agencies when requested. The AYSO Risk Management Department should be contacted when such requests are made.

• If law enforcement activity is conducted at a location where an AYSO practice or game is taking place, coaches and team parents should keep players focused on the activity at hand until it is determined that the activities should stop. Coaches and team parents should then ensure all players are accounted for. Coaches and team parents should then confirm that each player is with their parent/guardian if present. If not present, each player should remain with their coaches/team parent until released to that child’s parent/guardian. The goal of this policy is to remind AYSO members to maintain calm control over the safety and well-being of all the AYSO participants when a law enforcement activity is conducted at an AYSO event.

Safety eDUCATION AND AWARENESS

Safety and insurance forms

All incidents, injuries, or property damage involving an AYSO participant or occurring at an AYSO event
should be reported to the Regional Commissioner (rc@ayso300.org) using the AYSO Incident Report Form listed below at the earliest possible opportunity.

AYSO Incident Report Form – The purpose of the AYSO Incident Report Form is to capture all pertinent facts and contact information, while the information is readily available, whenever there is a serious incident involving AYSO participants, activities, facilities or property.

“SAI” – Soccer Accident Insurance

AYSO’s Soccer Accident Insurance (SAI) provides reimbursement to registered players, coaches, referees and other volunteers for costs of medical care related to an injury sustained during an AYSO activity.

Soccer Accident Insurance is supplemental to private insurance. A detailed brochure explaining the SAI program and coverage is also listed below.

Participation Release Form – The AYSO Participation (Return to Play) Release Form not only protects AYSO, but more importantly, the participants. Too often injured participants are out playing again before they are physically ready. Players should not participate until they are fit to play gain.

MORE INformation

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