Eastern NY Youth Soccer Association

SECOND TOP LOGO (THE ONE ON THE RIGHT)

MINOR ATHLETE ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY

The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (“ENYYSA”) is committed to providing a soccer environment in which every minor athlete can participate safely, respectfully, and free from abuse, harassment, exploitation, and misconduct. ENYYSA’s SafeSport framework is substantially aligned with US Soccer’s and US Youth Soccer’s (USYS) Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP).

This Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (“MAAPP”) establishes minimum standards governing interactions between adults and minor athletes participating in ENYYSA programs, competitions, activities, travel, training, camps, clinics, tournaments, and related soccer activities.

The purposes of this policy are to:

  1. Reduce opportunities for abuse and misconduct;
  2. Limit inappropriate one-on-one interactions between Adult Participants and Minor Athletes;
  3. Establish observable and interruptible environments;
  4. Establish clear standards for electronic communication, transportation, travel, lodging, changing areas, athletic training, medical care, and other sport settings;
  5. Establish training and education requirements;
  6. Provide parents, guardians, athletes, coaches, referees, administrators, volunteers, and
    clubs with clear expectations; and
  7. Establish procedures for reporting suspected violations.

This policy is intended to supplement, and not replace, the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code, U.S. Center for SafeSport MAAPP, U.S. Soccer safeguarding requirements, U.S. Youth Soccer requirements, applicable law, and ENYYSA’s other policies.

Where a federal, state, local, U.S. Center for SafeSport, U.S. Soccer, or U.S. Youth Soccer requirement is more restrictive than this policy, the more restrictive requirement shall apply to the extent legally applicable.

This policy applies to:

  • ENYYSA;
  • ENYYSA member leagues;
  • ENYYSA member clubs and their programs to the extent required by ENYYSA rules;
  • Adult Participants;
  • Minor Athletes;
  • parents and legal guardians when participating in ENYYSA activities;
  • coaches;
  • assistant coaches;
  • team managers;
  • trainers;
  • athletic trainers;
  • medical personnel;
  • referees;
  • administrators;
  • volunteers;
  • tournament personnel;
  • scouts and evaluators;
  • contractors and service providers;
  • transportation providers;
  • event staff; and
  • any other individual whose role or conduct falls within the jurisdiction of applicable SafeSport or U.S. Soccer requirements.

Member clubs and leagues may adopt stricter requirements but may not adopt standards that
reduce protections required by this policy or applicable governing requirements.

DEFINITIONS

Adult Participant
An individual who is at least 18 years old and who participates in or has access to ENYYSA activities in a role covered by applicable SafeSport requirements.

Minor Athlete
An athlete under 18 years of age who participates in ENYYSA soccer activities.

Adult Participant with Authority
An Adult Participant who has authority over, supervises, directs, evaluates, coaches, trains, treats, transports, or otherwise has regular responsibility for a Minor Athlete.

One-on-One Interaction
An interaction between an Adult Participant and one Minor Athlete where another Adult Participant or another Minor Athlete is not present or observable and interruptible.

Observable and Interruptible
A setting in which another adult can reasonably observe the interaction and/or interrupt the interaction without unreasonable difficulty.

Parent/Guardian
A Minor Athlete’s parent, legal guardian, or other person legally authorized to make decisions for the Minor Athlete.

Local Affiliated Organization
An ENYYSA member league, club, program, or other organization operating under ENYYSA’s authority or affiliation.

MAAPP
The Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies issued by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, as amended
from time to time.

GOVERNING AUTHORITY
This policy shall be interpreted consistently with:

  1. Federal law;
  2. New York State law;
  3. applicable local law;
  4. the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act;
  5. the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code;
  6. the U.S. Center for SafeSport MAAPP;
  7. U.S. Soccer safeguarding policies and requirements;
  8. U.S. Youth Soccer policies and requirements;
  9. ENYYSA bylaws and policies; and
  10. this policy.

ENYYSA shall periodically review this policy against the then-current U.S. Center for SafeSport and U.S. Soccer requirements.

CORE SAFEGUARDING PRINCIPLES

All ENYYSA activities involving Minor Athletes shall be conducted according to the following principles:

Observable
Whenever reasonably practicable, interactions between Adult Participants and Minor Athletes shall occur where another person can observe the interaction.

Interruptible
Whenever reasonably practicable, interactions shall occur in circumstances where another adult can interrupt the interaction.

No Retaliation
No person may retaliate against a Minor Athlete, parent, guardian, Adult Participant, or other person who makes a good-faith report or participates in a safeguarding investigation.

Need-to-Know Confidentiality
Safeguarding information shall be shared only with persons who have a legitimate need to know, subject to mandatory reporting obligations and applicable law.

Athlete Voice
Minor Athletes shall be encouraged to raise concerns and shall be provided reasonable avenues for reporting concerns without having to report through the person about whom they are concerned.

TRAINING & EDUCATION

All ENYYSA activities involving Minor Athletes shall be conducted according to the following principles:

SafeSport Training
Adult Participants required by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, U.S. Soccer, ENYYSA, or applicable law to complete SafeSport training shall do so before participating in activities for which training is required.

Additional ENYYSA Training
ENYYSA may require additional training concerning:

  • recognizing grooming behavior;
  • child abuse;
  • sexual misconduct;
  • bullying;
  • hazing;
  • emotional misconduct;
  • physical misconduct;
  • reporting obligations;
  • MAAPP requirements;
  • electronic communication;
  • transportation;
  • locker-room and changing-area safety;
  • travel and lodging;
  • concussion awareness; and
  • emergency procedures.

Minor Athletes
ENYYSA and its member organizations should provide age-appropriate education to Minor Athletes regarding:

  • personal boundaries;
  • recognizing inappropriate conduct;
  • safe communication;
  • how to report concerns;
  • how to seek help; and
  • their rights under this policy.

Parents & Guardians
ENYYSA shall make this policy available to parents and guardians and should provide education concerning:

  • MAPP requirements;
  • electronic communications;
  • travel;
  • lodging;
  • transportation;
  • reporting;
  • grooming prevention; and
  • the difference between appropriate coaching and inappropriate conduct.

Background Screening
ENYYSA shall maintain background screening requirements consistent with applicable U.S. Soccer, U.S. Youth Soccer, SafeSport, and ENYYSA requirements.

Unless a more restrictive requirement applies, individuals required to undergo ENYYSA screening shall be screened at least every two years.

No individual who is prohibited from participation by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, U.S. Soccer, ENYYSA, applicable law, or another governing authority may participate in a position from which that individual is barred.

Completion of a background check does not authorize conduct otherwise prohibited by this policy.

ONE-ON-ONE INTERACTIONS

General Rule
Adult Participants shall not engage in one-on-one interactions with Minor Athletes unless an exception recognized by applicable MAAPP requirements applies. Interactions with Minor Athletes shall be observable and interruptible whenever reasonably practicable.

Permitted Circumstances
A one-on-one interaction may occur only when permitted under applicable MAAPP requirements, including circumstances involving:

  • emergency situations;
  • individualized medical or athletic training needs;
  • certain individual training or instructional circumstances;
  • a Minor Athlete’s parent or guardian;
  • an established relationship covered by an applicable exception; or
  • another expressly recognized MAAPP exception.

Whenever an exception is used, the Adult Participant should document the circumstances when reasonably practicable.

Meetings

Meetings between an Adult Participant and Minor Athlete should occur:

  • in an observable and interruptible location;
  • with the door open where appropriate;
  • in a location with windows or visibility; or
  • with another adult present.
    Private meetings in bedrooms, hotel rooms, vehicles, or similarly isolated locations are prohibited except where specifically permitted by applicable MAAPP requirements.

TRAINING AND COMPETITION ENVIRONMENTS

Coaches and other Adult Participants shall structure training and competition environments so that Minor Athletes are reasonably observable. Coaches shall avoid isolated instruction areas unless an applicable exception permits otherwise. A coach should not routinely remain alone with a Minor Athlete before or after training. Where an athlete arrives early or remains after an activity, the coach shall use reasonable measures to ensure that the environment remains observable and interruptible.

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

General Rule

Electronic communication between Adult Participants and Minor Athletes shall be professional, sport-related, and appropriate.

Electronic communications include:

  • text messages;
  • email;
  • direct messages;
  • messaging applications;
  • social-media messages;
  • video-conferencing;
  • gaming or communication platforms;
  • team-management platforms; and
  • other digital communication.

Group Communication

Whenever reasonably practicable, communication concerning team or program activities shall occur through:

  • team communication platforms;
  • group messages;
  • group emails;
  • communications copied to another Adult Participant; or
  • communications that include the Minor Athlete’s parent or guardian.

Individual Communications

Individual electronic communication between an Adult Participant and Minor Athlete shall be limited to legitimate sport-related purposes and shall comply with applicable MAAPP requirements. Adult Participants shall not use electronic communication to:

  • develop inappropriate personal relationships;
  • discuss sexual or romantic subjects;
  • request secrecy;
  • send sexually suggestive material;
  • communicate in a manner designed to avoid parental or organizational awareness;
  • threaten or intimidate a Minor Athlete; or
  • otherwise engage in conduct prohibited by the SafeSport Code or applicable policy.

Late-Night Communication

Adult Participants should avoid non-emergency communications with Minor Athletes during late- night or otherwise inappropriate hours.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Adult Participants shall maintain appropriate professional boundaries with Minor Athletes on social- media platforms.

Adult Participants shall not:

  • use social media to establish inappropriate personal relationships;
  • request secrecy from Minor Athletes;
  • engage in sexualized communication;
  • use disappearing-message functions to evade organizational oversight for prohibited communications;
  • share sexually explicit or otherwise inappropriate content with Minor Athletes; or
  • use social media to circumvent this policy.

Team and organizational social-media accounts should be administered by at least two authorized adults whenever practicable.

TRANSPORTATION

General Rule

Transportation involving Minor Athletes shall be conducted in accordance with applicable MAAPP requirements. Whenever reasonably practicable, transportation should include:

  • two or more Minor Athletes; or
  • two or more Adult Participants; or
  • a Minor Athlete’s parent or guardian.

Individual Transportation

An Adult Participant shall not transport a Minor Athlete alone except where expressly permitted under applicable MAAPP requirements or where an emergency requires immediate action. When an exception is used, the Adult Participant should:

  1. notify the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian when reasonably practicable;
  2. notify another Adult Participant when reasonably practicable;
  3. use the most direct reasonable route; and
  4. document the circumstances when appropriate.

Personal Vehicles

Adult Participants should not transport Minor Athletes in personal vehicles unless the transportation is authorized and complies with this policy and applicable MAAPP requirements.

LODGING AND OVERNIGHT TRAVEL

General Rule

ENYYSA travel shall be organized to maximize safety, transparency, and supervision. Adult Participants shall comply with applicable MAAPP lodging requirements.

Hotel Rooms

Adult Participants shall not share a hotel room with a Minor Athlete except where specifically permitted by applicable MAAPP requirements. Minor Athletes should room with other Minor Athletes of the same team or with a parent/guardian, subject to applicable rules.

Room Assignments

Whenever practicable, room assignments shall be:

  • documented;
  • communicated to parents/guardians;
  • based on appropriate age and team considerations; and
  • structured to avoid isolated adult/minor lodging arrangements.

Room Checks

Necessary room checks shall be conducted in accordance with MAAPP requirements and, whenever reasonably practicable, by two adults or through another observable process.

LOCKER ROOMS, CHANGING AREAS, BATHROOMS AND SHOWER AREAS

General Rule

Adult Participants shall respect the privacy of Minor Athletes. Adult Participants shall not use changing areas, locker rooms, bathrooms, or shower areas for unnecessary social interaction with Minor Athletes.

Adult Access

Adult Participants may enter such areas only when reasonably necessary for:

  • supervision;
  • emergency response;
  • medical assistance;
  • facility management;
  • safety;
  • addressing misconduct; or
  • another legitimate sport purpose.
    Whenever reasonably practicable, advance notice should be provided before an Adult Participant enters an occupied changing area.

Phones and Recording Devices
Use of cameras, phones, or recording devices in locker rooms, bathrooms, shower areas, or changing areas is prohibited except for legitimate, authorized operational purposes consistent with applicable law and policy.

MASSAGES, ATHLETIC TRAINING AND MEDICAL CARE

PHYSICAL CONTACT

Physical contact between Adult Participants and Minor Athletes must be:

  • appropriate to the sport;
  • necessary or reasonably related to instruction, safety, encouragement, or medical care;
  • professional;
  • appropriate to the athlete’s age and circumstances; and
  • consistent with applicable SafeSport requirements.
    Adult Participants shall not engage in physical contact that is sexual, intimate, punitive, humiliating, unnecessary, or otherwise inappropriate.

PERSONAL CARE AND DISABILITY-RELATED ASSISTANCE
Where a Minor Athlete requires assistance with personal care because of age, disability, medical condition, or another legitimate need, assistance shall be provided in accordance with applicable MAAPP requirements and, when appropriate, with parent/guardian knowledge. Whenever reasonably practicable, personal-care assistance shall be:

  • observable;
  • interruptible;
  • performed by an appropriately trained person; and
  • limited to the assistance actually required.

MINOR ATHLETE-TO-MINOR ATHLETE INTERACTIONS
ENYYSA recognizes that abuse and misconduct can occur between Minor Athletes.

Minor Athletes shall not engage in:

  • sexual misconduct;
  • sexual harassment;
  • bullying;
  • hazing;
  • physical abuse;
  • threats;
  • coercion;
  • intimidation;
  • non-consensual sexualized conduct; or
  • other conduct prohibited by the SafeSport Code, applicable law, or ENYYSA policy.

ENYYSA and its member organizations shall respond to such conduct in accordance with applicable law and governing policies.

PARENT AND GUARDIAN ACCESS
Parents and guardians should have reasonable access to observe their Minor Athlete’s participation in ENYYSA activities, subject to legitimate safety, competition, facility, or operational restrictions. ENYYSA and member organizations shall not use access restrictions as a means of concealing misconduct. Where an activity legitimately requires restricted access, the organization shall communicate the reason for the restriction to affected families when reasonably practicable.

REPORTING

Duty to Report
Nothing in this policy eliminates or reduces any mandatory reporting obligation under federal, state, or local law or under the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code.

Individuals shall report suspected abuse, sexual misconduct, child abuse, or other conduct requiring reporting to the appropriate authority.

SafeSport Reports
Where conduct falls within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, reports shall be made through the Center’s reporting process.

Emergency Situations
When a Minor Athlete is in immediate danger, the appropriate emergency authority shall be contacted immediately.

New York Reporting Requirements
Nothing in this policy shall be interpreted as limiting an individual’s obligation to comply with New York State mandated-reporter requirements or other applicable child-protection laws.

ENYYSA Reporting
ENYYSA shall maintain a reporting mechanism that permits concerns to be reported without requiring the reporter to communicate through the person who is the subject of the concern.

NO INTERNAL INVESTIGATION OF SAFE SPORT MATTERS
ENYYSA, its leagues, clubs, coaches, and volunteers shall not conduct an independent investigation into allegations that fall within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Center for SafeSport when doing so could interfere with or duplicate the Center’s investigation. ENYYSA may take appropriate interim protective measures and may preserve records, identify witnesses, address immediate safety concerns, and cooperate with authorized investigations.

INTERIM SAFETY MEASURES

When ENYYSA receives a safeguarding concern, it may take appropriate interim measures to protect athletes, including:

  • temporary removal from contact with Minor Athletes;
  • temporary reassignment;
  • suspension of participation;
  • restrictions on communication;
  • restrictions on travel;
  • restrictions on access to facilities;
  • increased supervision; or
  • other reasonable protective measures.
    Interim measures are not necessarily disciplinary findings and may be implemented before an allegation is resolved.

RECORDKEEPING AND COMPLIANCE MONITORING

ENYYSA shall maintain reasonable records demonstrating compliance with this policy, including, where applicable:

SafeSport training;

  • background screening;
  • required education;
  • policy acknowledgments;
  • reports;
  • disciplinary or interim measures;
  • compliance audits; and
  • corrective actions.

Records shall be maintained in accordance with applicable law and ENYYSA’s record-retention requirements.

CLUB AND LEAGUE RESPONSIBILITIES

Every ENYYSA member league and club shall:

  1. communicate this policy to applicable personnel;
  2. ensure required Adult Participants complete required training;
  3. maintain required screening;
  4. implement MAAPP requirements in its programs;
  5. provide reporting information to athletes and families;
  6. cooperate with ENYYSA and SafeSport investigations;
  7. take reasonable steps to prevent retaliation;
  8. maintain appropriate records; and
  9. designate an individual responsible for safeguarding compliance.

A club or league may adopt additional safeguarding requirements, provided those requirements do not conflict with applicable governing policies.

ENYYSA SAFE SOCCER OFFICER

ENYYSA shall designate a Safe Soccer Officer or equivalent safeguarding administrator. The Safe Soccer Officer shall:

  • coordinate MAAPP implementation;
  • monitor training compliance;
  • coordinate with member organizations;
  • maintain safeguarding resources;
  • assist with policy interpretation;
  • coordinate required reporting pathways;
  • monitor changes to SafeSport and U.S. Soccer requirements;
  • coordinate periodic compliance reviews; and
  • report material safeguarding issues to appropriate ENYYSA leadership.

The Safe Soccer Officer shall not interfere with investigations conducted by the U.S. Center for SafeSport or another authority with jurisdiction.

COMPLIANCE AUDITS

ENYYSA shall conduct periodic audits of member organizations. Audits may examine:

  • training completion;
  • background screening;
  • policy acknowledgments;
  • coach and team-staff rosters;
  • travel procedures;
  • electronic-communication practices;
  • transportation procedures;
  • lodging arrangements;
  • locker-room practices;
  • reporting procedures; and
  • implementation of corrective actions.
    Failure to implement required safeguards may result in corrective action under applicable ENYYSA procedures.

VIOLATIONS

Violation of this policy may result in:

  • education or retraining;
  • written warning;
  • restrictions on participation;
  • removal from a team or program;
  • suspension;
  • loss of eligibility;
  • referral to the appropriate governing body;
  • referral to the U.S. Center for SafeSport;
  • referral to law enforcement or child-protection authorities where appropriate; or
  • other action authorized by ENYYSA policy.

A violation of this policy does not necessarily constitute a violation of law, and a finding under this policy does not replace any investigation or determination by an authorized governmental or SafeSport authority.

RETALIATION AND INTERFERENCE

Retaliation is prohibited against any individual who:

  • reports a concern;
  • assists another person in reporting;
  • participates in an investigation;
  • provides information to an authorized investigator;
  • requests assistance under this policy; or
  • raises a good-faith safeguarding concern.
    Interference with a safeguarding report or investigation is prohibited.

TRAINING FOR POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

ENYYSA shall provide or identify appropriate education concerning this policy for:

  • coaches;
  • team managers;
  • referees;
  • administrators;
  • club safeguarding personnel;
  • tournament personnel; and
  • other Adult Participants as appropriate.

Training shall emphasize practical application rather than merely requiring acknowledgment of the policy.

ANNUAL REVIEW

ENYYSA shall review this policy at least annually. The review shall consider:

  • changes to the U.S. Center for SafeSport MAAPP;
  • changes to the SafeSport Code;
  • U.S. Soccer requirements;
  • U.S. Youth Soccer requirements;
  • federal law;
  • New York State law;
  • lessons learned from reports and incidents;
  • audit findings; and
  • feedback from athletes, parents, coaches, clubs, and leagues.
    Changes required by a governing authority shall be implemented within the timeframe required by that authority.

POLICY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

All Adult Participants subject to this policy shall acknowledge that they:

  1. received or were provided with access to this policy;
  2. understand that compliance is a condition of participation where applicable;
  3. understand their reporting obligations;
  4. understand the prohibition against retaliation; and
  5. agree to comply with applicable safeguarding requirements.

SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this policy is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

ENYYSA SAFEGUARDING RULES — QUICK REFERENCE

Adults working with Minor Athletes should remember:

  1. Keep interactions observable and interruptible.
  2. Avoid one-on-one interactions unless a recognized exception applies.
  3. Keep electronic communication professional and sport-related.
  4. Do not use private communication to develop inappropriate relationships.
  5. Do not transport one Minor Athlete alone unless a recognized exception applies.
  6. Follow MAAPP lodging and room-sharing requirements.
  7. Respect privacy in locker rooms, bathrooms, changing areas, and showers.
  8. Use appropriate professional boundaries during physical contact and treatment.
  9. Never retaliate against someone who raises a safeguarding concern.
  10. When in doubt about a safeguarding concern, report it through the appropriate channel rather than conducting your own investigation.

PARENT/GUARDIAN NOTICE

ENYYSA is committed to maintaining a soccer environment in which Minor Athletes are safe and protected from abuse and misconduct. Parents and guardians should understand that:

  • coaches and other Adult Participants are subject to safeguarding requirements;
  • one-on-one interactions are restricted;
  • electronic communications are subject to professional boundary requirements;
  • travel, transportation, lodging, changing areas, and medical/athletic-training environments are governed by safeguarding standards;
  • concerns may be reported without going through the person who is the subject of the concern; and
  • retaliation for good-faith reporting is prohibited.
    Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss personal boundaries and reporting options with their children and to report concerns promptly.

IMPLEMENTATION AND GOVERNANCE NOTE

This policy establishes ENYYSA’s organizational framework for implementing MAAPP requirements. It should be read together with the current U.S. Center for SafeSport MAAPP, SafeSport Code, U.S. Soccer safeguarding policies, U.S. Youth Soccer requirements, applicable law, and ENYYSA’s existing risk-management and disciplinary policies. If a governing authority subsequently adopts a more restrictive safeguarding requirement, ENYYSA shall implement that requirement and update this policy as necessary.