Volunteers
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” - Muhammad Ali
Welcome Volunteers! Every year, the success of our program is overwhelmingly dependent on having volunteers available in a number of capacities, but mainly to run practices and games. More volunteers means smaller teams and more time on the field for each player.
U.S. Soccer, PA West and MAYSA continue to lead the way in Youth Sports Safety and Training. This season's Parent/Volunteer/Coach training includes a new volunteer online training video/class designed to provide child safety guidance to all volunteers in addition to standard clearances. Additionally, resources for parents are also available through PA West's initiative with the U.S. Center for SAFESPORT.
Parents:
The U.S. Center for SAFESPORT has made The Parent's Guide to Misconduct in Sport module available, for parents/guardians, on athletesafey.org. The module is designed for parents/guardians of youth athletes of all ages. It explains the issues of misconduct in sport and helps ensure their children have a positive and safe sport experience.
Additionally, we also recommend parents and player take a few minutes to watch each of the short educational videos provided by Sport Safety International:
(a) ConcussionWise
(b) HeatWise
(c) CardiacWise
Additional Optional video training resources from U.S. Soccer's Recognize to Recover comprehensive Player Health and Safety Program
Volunteers & Coaches:
As coaches we are (and should be) held to a higher standard. In addition to being the leader in youth safety, U.S. Soccer, PA West and MAYSA continue to lead the way in providing coaching education and training for both the beginning parent coach and those licensed at the highest levels. The 5 easy steps to coaching soccer are shown below. For In-House coaches, MAYSA will waive the cost of registration for the first child of anyone who volunteers for an entire season, and completes the training and clearance activities outlined below.
1. SAFESPORT Training
Initial Training - 90 Minutes:
a.) Follow this link: Safesport Link
b.) Complete information on “Sign Up” page.
Note: When setting up your SAFESPORT and U.S. Soccer Digital Coaching
Center account, please use the same email and full name as you did in setting
up your MAYSA Registration account.
Use Membership ID: YC3E-6P5G-YYIL-CS2M
Sports Organization: MAYSA
c.) If prompted, log in to the new account you just created.
d.) Click on “Menu” and select “Catalog.”
e.) Click the Start button for “SafeSport Trained – U.S. Soccer Federation”.
SS Refresher - 20 minutes: (if you already did the full course) required annually
a.) Use this link: Safesport Link
b.) Log in (upper right corner) using your username & password
Please note! the first time you log into the new site you will have to hit the 'Forgot
Password' button and reset your password.
c.) Select 'Refresher', and complete the course
d.) Save the certificate at the end
For downloading a certificate of completion:
a.) Use this link: Safesport Link
b.) Log in (upper right corner) using your username & password
c.) Please select the “Menu” icon at the top right of your page.
d.) Select “Transcript”.
e.) Once the transcript page displays, locate the most current completion for the course under the “Certificates” section.
f.) Select the “Download” button at the right of the completed course to download the cert.
2. FBI Check OR Volunteer Affidavit:
a.) Volunteer Affidavit (living in PA GREATER than 10 years - must be notarized)
or
a.) FBI Background Check (living in PA LESS than 10 years)
3. PA Child Abuse History
4. PA State Police Background Check
PA State Police Background Check
Upload SAFESPORT Certificate and ALL CLEARANCES for PA WEST Approval
5. U.S. Soccer's Digital Coaching Center (DCC):
(a) U.S. Soccer Intro to Grassroots (online 20 minutes) Training*
(b) email to EmailUs@MercerSoccer.org
If you have any questions along the way, we are here to help, emailus@MercerSoccer.org