Registration Process for all Coaches, Managers, Board members, Volunteers, and Associates of Stoneham Youth Soccer

In 2018, Congress passed the Abuse Prevention Act and U.S. Soccer established requirements for all adults involved in youth soccer know as US Soccer’s Safe Soccer Framework. In support, and collective efforts to provide the safest possible soccer environment for all players and participants, Massachusetts Youth Soccer created MA Safe Soccer.  www.mayouthsoccer.org/about/ma-safe-soccer/

What does this mean to you as an adult involved in Stoneham Soccer? The key elements are:

• Use of New Membership Management System for Adult Registrations
• Expansion of Background Checks, including State and National Sex Offender Searches
• Abuse Prevention Education and Training
• Concussion Training: CDC’s Heads Up Coaches Course

Step 1 – Register yourself as a coach/volunteer

• Log onto https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/about/ma-safe-soccer/
• In upper right corner, click on Member Login and log in
  • If returning, enter email and password you have always used
  • If new, create account
• Click on upper left-most blue button labeled Register Now
• Under Coaches/Volunteers, click on Register Now button with green arrow
• Choose who you are registering
• Select what age group(s) you are registering for - Check ALL AGE GROUPS you are registering for
• You will need to fill in not only your name and address info, but driver’s license number, state, and expiration date, your role (head, assistant, etc.), former names, mother’s and father’s full names, previous address info, place of birth. Hit continue to photos.
• You will need a head-shot photo to upload. THIS SHOULD BE HEAD AND SHOULDERS ONLY, AND SHOULD FACE THE CORRECT WAY!  Hit Choose File, Rotate/Crop/Save as needed.  Hit Continue to Waivers.
• Check Authorization box at bottom, enter your SSN (with dashes ### - ## - ####) and Electronic Signature. Hit Next Waiver.
• Continue with Request for a Criminal History Authorization – Part 2. Check Authorization box at bottom.  Hit Next Waiver.
• Continue with Adult Participation Agreement – Part 1. Check Authorization box at bottom.  Hit Next Waiver.
• Continue with Adult Participation Registration, Background Check/Disclosure. Check Authorization box at bottom.  Hit Continue to Review.
• Hit Confirm Registration
• Hit Return to Member Account. Here you will see 4 boxes next to your picture:
  • Concussion Training Certification
  • Abuse Prevention Certificate
  • Safety/Additional Certification
  • CORI Acknowledgement – THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED – Please download and get a copy of this and a copy of your license to Leslie Duhamel (scan and email to [email protected] or drop at 21 Arnold Road, Stoneham)

You will get an email from Stoneham Soccer Club via StackSportsMail thanking you for registering.

The good news is that at this point, you have submitted your Mass. Criminal Offender Record Info (CORI), your Mass. And National Sexual Offenders Record Info (SORI), and your National Background Search and Check!  AND…..these will be good for three years!

Step 2:  Verify your email

At this point, we will confirm you as a coach.  Once done, which should take 2-3 days at most, you will get an email.  It will be from: no-reply and it will be titled:  SafeSport: Account Created.  It will ask you to click on a link and verify your email.  Please do so.

Step 3:  Complete your training classes

As a coach/volunteer, you need to complete the following training classes:

1. Concussion Training Certification
2. Abuse Prevention Certificate
3. You DO NOT need to take the Safety/Additional Certification training

Classes can be accessed from your confirmation email or from the Stoneham Soccer website:

• Log onto stonehamsoccerclub.com
• In upper right corner, click on Member Login and log in
• Scroll down to your member profile.
  • To take the Concussion Training Certification, click on Learn More. This will take about 20-30 minutes.  You will need to register and create an account to do this training.
  • To take the Abuse Prevention Certificate, click on Begin Training. This will take about 1 ½ to 2 hours.  You can stop, pause, save and return at a later time.
• You must upload your completed certificates for BOTH of these classes when completed.

At this point, you have done all that you need to in order to coach for Stoneham Soccer Club.  We will complete your registration and print your ID/Credentials prior to the season starting.

These documents need to be completed as soon as possible – please do not wait until the last minute!!!

Dear SSC Town Coaches, Travel Coaches and Volunteers - 

The linked document originates from Mass Youth Soccer and pertains to the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act, which is aimed at protecting amateur athletes from sexual abuse.SSC has been asked to ensure that all adults who participate with our club receive this document. It has links to the Mass Youth Soccer Abuse Prevention web-page as well as the US Youth Soccer Memorandum.

Thank you,Stoneham Soccer Club

ProtectingYouthSoccerPlayers (1).pdf

Each year we hear stories of coaches who lose control at a game, and take frustrations out on referees, parents and, worst of all, players.

If a coach could see a video of himself or herself during one of these moments, he or she would be stunned.

Please watch this video as an example of what this unacceptable behavior looks like, and the effects it can have: RESPECT

Hello Town Coaches - The SSC Board would like to extend its Thanks to each of you for volunteering your time, effort and energy to coach the youth of Stoneham in the sport of soccer. Each of you is making a tremendous commitment and contribution to these players and it is very much appreciated.

The following are some important reminders for the upcoming season.

• SSC encourages coaches to develop their skills, and will fully reimburse (with a receipt of completion) those who complete a coaching course through Mass Youth Soccer. Please visit their website ( www.mayouthsoccer.org ) for details.
• Contact all of the players on your team and welcome any new players to your team. Let them know how you will be communicating with them this season. All the schedules will be posted on the website.
• All teams must practice at least once per week (except clinic and U14coed); PRACTICES SHOULD NOT INCLUDE THE USE OF THE LOCKED GOALS!!! PLEASE KEEP ALL CHILDREN OFF THESE GOALS to prevent injury and net damage.
• Coaches with the first game on a field need to set up their respective fields with the proper equipment so please arrive at least 15 minute before your game time. If the games do NOT start on time this throws our schedule off for the whole day. The coaches with the last game are required to put the equipment back in the shed.
• Ice packs and other First-Aid supplies are in the shed.
• Clinic coaches should let new parents know how the program works, with ½ hour of practice and ½ hour of play on Sundays.
• Each child should receive equal playing time. They should also experience all the positions (unless a child does not want to play goal; please don't make them).
• All coaches should lead by example, maintain a positive attitude, communicate with the parents, and respect each other (DO NOT RUN UP SCORES!!)
• If your team is up 5 or more goals, you as the coach MUST to do the following to encourage good sportsmanship: move your stronger players back on defense; encourage passing (5 passes before they shoot); have them take shots with their weaker foot; The Club will NOT tolerate coaches that don't make the attempt to do this!!!
• Be aware of the cancellation procedure. You will be contacted by your commissioner and in turn you will then contact your team. Also the cancellation will be put on the website home page as well. This decision is made at 7am by the commissioners.
• All coaches and assistant coaches MUST be registered on the website (https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/default.aspx?portalid=50128 ). If you are NOT registered then you will not be allowed to coach.
• Unregistered players may not participate in practices or games for insurance reasons.
• For any players who have not previously played soccer please notify the parents that the uniforms can be purchased at Reading Trophy, 660 Main Street, Reading, MA 781-944-7171, prior to the start of the season. FULL UNIFORMS ARE REQUIRED TO PLAY ON SUNDAY
• The Referees need to be treated respectfully as well and the club will NOT tolerate abuse from coaches or parents!!!
• Town rule reminders: NO PENALTY KICKS IN TOWN GAMES (there are direct free kicks but from outside the penalty area)! There are NO distance restrictions on goal kicks. The restriction on Keeper distributions (throws, punts or drop kicks) needing to hit the ground or be played before crossing midfield has been changed. Keeper distributions must now hit the ground or be played before entering the other penalty area.
• SSC will do its best to be sure to have a Board member at the shed on game days in case you have any problems or questions. Just look for one of us in our black jacket or polo shirt.

If you have any problems and/or questions, please contact your commissioner. Thanks again for all your help and we look forward to a GREAT season!!!