North Texas Soccer’s Player Safety Policy was recently updated to reflect changes to US Soccer’s SafeSport framework and USSF Policy 212-3. These changes are required by the US Center for SafeSport and become effective on January 1, 2022.  Further, please note that these required changes apply to all US Soccer members (i.e. including USYS, US Club Soccer, SAY, and AYSO).

On February 14th, 2018, the President signed the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 which is aimed at protecting amateur athletes* from sexual abuse.

The Law has a three-pronged approach:

The following instructions can be used for coaches, adults, and/or board members taking the training. 

Registration 

Please ensure you have a GotSport user account in your name.  

1. Login to your GotSport account.
2. Click on the person icon on the top right of the page.
3. Click on Profile
4. You should open on the Dashboard tab
5. For SafeSport, click on More Details
6. Current users click on Access SafeSport and log in to your account.
7. New users will click on Start Course and will need to create an account. Please be sure and use the same name and email address used in GotSport.
8. You will access Menu/Catalog/SafeSport Trained – U.S. Soccer Federation to complete the course.
9. Check Records or Upload certificate in GotSport (see instrcution below, step 10)

1. Any adult interacting with amateur athletes in the program has a duty to report abuse and or suspected abuse.
2. The statute of limitations is extended for up to 10 years after a victim realizes he or she was abused.
3. Limits an athlete under the age of 18 from being alone with an adult who is not their parent.

*What is an amateur athlete? Any child or minor under the age of 18. Legislation is available for download (click here).

This page provides information for each of the required categories:

• All Amateur Organization Members coaches must complete the Center's "SafeSport Trained" Core Training and refresher course(s) on an annual basis. 
• All Amateur Organization Member board members and employees must complete the Center’s “SafeSport Trained” Core training.
• All Amateur Organization Members 18-year-old and older players, on a team with minors (17 years of age or younger), to complete the "SafeSport Trained" Core training on an annual basis. 
• All Amateur Organization Members with minor athletes must offer the Center for SafeSport’s Parent Training on an annual basis.

The NTSSA Risk Management Program is in place to identify and assess potential risks to our soccer community. We monitor and minimize the probability and/or impact these risks may pose to youth athletes around the state. Risk management ranges from making sure that all players wear shin guards to providing background checks for all our volunteers, coaches and staff members. 

The objectives of the risk management program are:

• To review and recommend policies and procedures to ensure the safety of our participants.

• To establish secure records and maintain the background check information program for volunteers, employees and others who are entrusted with the supervision and care of players and participants, including financial care.

• To provide secondary medical coverage for injuries incurred during participation in North Texas Soccer activities.

• To provide policy recommendations and education for North Texas Soccer Member Associations to minimize liabilities and other manageable risks including financial risk.

All background checks are completed through GotSoccer. Login into your account and under the Background Check tab, press the 'submit new report' button. Fill out all necessary information with your legal name and records. The background check includes a national and state level check, so please submit your report in a timely manner once per seasonal year.

Mandatory Reporting

All Adult Participants of NORTH TEXAS SOCCER are mandatory reporters of any known or suspected child abuse.  All reports must be made to the appropriate law enforcement authorities within 24 hours.  The abuse does not need to be confirmed.  Adult Participants should never seek to conduct their own investigations. 

AFTER receiving guidance and direction from law enforcement and/or the Division of Child Protection & Permanency, please also make a report to NORTH TEXAS SOCCER to David Messersmith, Executive Director, david@ntxsoccer.org.. This will assist NORTH TEXAS SOCCER in taking any appropriate action.