Florida Youth Soccer Association

Risk Management Guidance- 2020-2021 Season

 

As we begin to prepare for the 2020-2021 seasonal year, please be advised of the below new/updated FYSA Risk Management requirements:

Background Checks:

All adult members may begin submitting 2020-2021 backgrounds checks as of June 1, 2020. It is imperative that clubs set a GotSoccer completive level of ‘archive’ for accounts of individuals that you do NOT want to submit a background check. Any account that does not have a GotSoccer competitive level of ‘Archive” will be able to submit a background check and your club will be invoiced. Example: If a coach moves to a different club, but submits a background check from an account in your club (not archived) then your club will be billed for their background check.

FYSA will begin billing July 1, 2020 and on the 1 ^st of each month thereafter for background checks. There are no refunds of background check fees.

 

Sanctioned Tournament Background Check Compliance:

Effective immediately, FYSA sanctioned events (predominately applies to tournaments) shall not accept Florida club coach passcards from US Club Soccer. Out-of-state US Club Soccer coach passcards are permitted. US Club Soccer’s background check does not meet the standards outlined in Florida Statute 943.0438. Please note this only applies to coach passcards (background checks). Unrestricted tournaments may allow players from any soccer sanctioning body.

Any soccer sanctioning body that fails to meet coach background screening in accordance with Florida Statute 943.0438 and is not screening annually, shall not participate in any FYSA sanctioned activities, including, without limitation, unrestricted tournaments.

 

Sexual Abuse Prevention Training (SafeSport):

All adult members of FYSA are required to complete SafeSport online training, or the recertification via GotSoccer. Ensure coaches, staff and volunteers understand they must use the same email address they used for the initial training (to avoid having to retake the first training). Coaches and managers cannot be assigned to teams until they complete the SafeSport training.

 

Abuse Helpline:

At FYSA, our number one priority is ensuring our soccer players have a safe, positive, and enriching experience in our game. FYSA has partnered with Praesidium, the national leader in child abuse prevention, to provide a confidential helpline for all players, coaches, and parents.  Praesidium has worked with over 4,000 youth-serving organizations across the nation for over 25 years to help prevent abuse of any kind directed at youth and to prevent false allegations of abuse.

If you ever have a concern related to any child’s safety, please feel free to call Praesidium’s helpline at (866) 607-7233 24 hours a day.   This number and information will be communicated to FYSA players periodically throughout the season.

 

New Risk Management Policy:

FYSA has adopted a new Risk Management Policy. It is linked here and on the FYSA website. This policy is quite lengthy and encompasses all things risk management. This policy formalizes FYSA stance and obligations under the SafeSport Act of 2017, Florida Statute 943.0438 (concussions and background checks), USYS Risk Management Policies, US Soccer recommendations, best practices etc. 

It is the duty of each affiliate to ensure board, staff, coaches, volunteers, parents and players are aware of this policy. We encourage you to include this policy in your registrations, as well as, distribute this policy to your entire club. It is important that we all understand the inherent risk to our youth players and act accordingly.

 

Concussion management:

It is required that all FYSA adult members complete the online CDC Heads Up Concussion Training module. The certification is valid for two years . Additionally, FYSA adheres to the requirements for concussion management and protocol as stated in Florida Statute 943.0438. Compliance includes:

 

1. Delivering concussion education to all registered FYSA members
2. Requirement of an informed consent waiver specifically explains the nature and risk of concussion and head injury, including the risk of continuing to play after a concussion or head injury (to be signed by parents). This is required each seasonal year.
3. Possible concussion notification form (when a concussion has been suspected).
4. Medical clearance form, which includes a written medical clearance to return stating that the youth athlete no longer exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion or other head injury.
5. Return to play concussion protocols (outlined medical clearance form).

 

FYSA has created documentation for affiliates to ensure compliance with Florida Statute 943.0438 (posted to the FYSA website). FYSA affiliates are responsible for the collection and keeping of these documents for ALL registered players. Affiliates may recreate these forms digitally or create their own as long as they meet the required criteria above.

• FYSA Medical Clearance Form

• FYSA Concussion Informed Consent

 

Primary Field Declarations:

Primary Field Declarations will be completed for all affiliates based on declarations from 2019-2020 Re-Affiliation Forms.  Affiliates only need to submit CHANGES   using the Primary Field Declaration Form in GotSoccer . Per FYSA bylaws, all changes to Primary Field must be approved by the FYSA BOD.

 

Secondary Field Declarations:

Each Affiliate will also need to submit all secondary field requests through GotSoccer.

FYSA will be requiring submission of a lease or agreement that your affiliate is authorized to use the fields you have declared for both primary and secondary.