A volunteer coach is an individual that may have unsupervised access to children participating in a SAY sanctioned activity. The minimum acceptable standard is for all coaches and assistant coaches to fill out a SAY Volunteer application annually.  

*SAY Soccer members should observe and respect any local regulations and laws. Visit our SAY National Risk Management Policy here. 

After you have completed the form please send a screenshot of your confirmation number to your division commissioner. 

 
CLICK BELOW:
https://refserve2.com/club/gettingStarted.cfm?mid=d0162dab-1c27-412b-8a02-bbd1be3a9eaf&cid=547 

The U.S. Center for SafeSport is a non-profit organization focused on ending all forms of abuse in sport. They endeavor to make athlete well-being the centerpiece of the nation’s sports culture through abuse prevention, education, and accountability. 

SAY members who have contact with athletes must successfully complete the USOC SafeSport or comparable alternative training prior to participating in SAY activities.

A refresher course is required in year two (2), three (3), and four (4).

The full training must be completed again in year five (5). 

The US Center for SafeSport also provides optional education for youth participants and parents. SAY Soccer strongly recommends that our Areas and Districts make these opportunities available to their members. 

CLICK BELOW:

https://safesporttrained.org/#/public-dashboard

*Please contact your division commissioner to get access to the "enrollment key".

The SAY National Concussion Policy is a requirement for ALL coaches regardless of their age and/or status (Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Team Manager/Parent) These procedures are designed to comply with legislation concerning concussion in youth sports. Use the link to begin your concussion certification process. 

All SAY Soccer coaches must successfully complete the concussion training every three (3) years.

STEP 1: The first portion of the SAY National Concussion policy is the taking of a FREE online training course. ALL coaches and referees MUST complete this training course prior to participating in the any SAY activity whether it be a practice or a game situation.

There are two approved options for the FREE online training program consists of two approved options, either of which is acceptable:  


The FIRST APPROVED OPTION is provided by the National Federation of State High School Associations Concussion in Sports – What You Need to Know, which can be found at http://www.nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=38000. This online course will require you to click on the "order here” button to begin the training. It will ask you to complete a brief registration form prior to beginning the course, which is solely for the purpose of registering you in their data base as having successfully completed the online material. After you have completed this course you will be given the option to print out a personalized certificate of completion (It is suggested that this certificate by printed out in pdf format, otherwise your name may not appear on this certificate). 


The SECOND APPROVED OPTION  is through the Center for Disease Control and their Prevention Heads Up Concussion in Youth Sports Online training program, which is at http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html. Click on the online training course button to begin your training. After successfully completing the on-line training, you will be offered an opportunity to print out a personalized "certificate of completion”. FYI - this option does not keep a record of your completing this training. 

After completing either the FIRST OR SECOND APPROVED OPTION, you will need to print out your personalized "certificate of completion” and keep a copy with you at ALL SAY related functions (especially referees, as you may be required to show your personalized certificate to the appropriate SAY authorities prior to being allowed to officiate any games).


STEP 2: The second portion of the SAY National Concussion policy is the Removal-From and Return-to-Play procedure. Any athlete exhibiting signs and symptoms of concussion either during a practice or during a game MUST be immediately removed. This athlete MAY NOT return to play nor participate in any SAY activity on the same day that he or she has been removed (even if a written medical clearance is provided).

In addition, the athlete is not permitted to return to play or participate in any SAY activity until he or she has been assessed and received written clearance by a physician or by another licensed health care provider. A Return-to-Play form must be submitted to the coach prior to allowing the athlete to participate in any activity with the athlete’s team, whether it be a practice or a game situation.

All of SAY’s member Areas and Districts are responsible to monitor and track their coaches and referees with regard to their individual compliance with this policy. For those SAY members playing spring seasons, this policy must be implemented with the coaches and referees having completed their mandated online training prior to April 26, 2013. Those SAY members operating a fall season program must have their coaches and referees complete their individual online training prior to starting practices.