SafeSport

SafeSport Training

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:

  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.

General Course Access Information

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)
  10. Click here to review detailed instructions for Adults.

Report Abuse

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. 
 

REPORT TO SAFE SPORT HERE 

Player Training Requirement

The 2017 SafeSport Act requires all 18-year-old and older players, on a team with minors (17 years of age or younger), to complete the SafeSport Trained Core training. This training is accessible through the SafeSport Platform.

About the Requirement

Players are required to complete the training to continue participating and competing in NORTH TEXAS SOCCER-sanctioned activities after turning 18 years old. Per SafeSport’s Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP), 17-year-old players seeking to complete the training in advance of their 18th birthday, and limiting the disruption to their participation, may only access the training after submitting a signed parental consent form to North Texas Soccer.  Additionally, the MAAPP does not permit a grace period for players that turn 18 years old.

Implementing the Requirement through the NORTH TEXAS SOCCER Registration System

Upon completion of the training through the SafeSport platform, 18 and up players must upload the certificate for verification by North Texas Soccer. 
 
17 and under will upload on their 18th birthday when the upload option appears for them in GotSport on that date.
Players that do not have a SafeSport certificate verified by North Texas Soccer one day after their 18th birthday will be unapproved within the registration system, prohibited from printing a player pass, and will not appear on the Official State Roster.
To be clear, this training does not need to be completed by individuals under the age of 18.
NORTH TEXAS SOCCER Registrar is primarily responsible for verifying the certificate within 72 hours of uploading it to the player’s profile in GotSport.

 

How to Access the Training

  1. MINOR ATHLETES 17 and Under: A parent/guardian must submit this form Authorization for Minor Participation in Abuse Prevention Training 
  2. Once completed, they will save their certificate as a pdf and upload it on their  18th birthday when the upload option appears in GotSport on that date.

SafeSport Course Cycle

SafeSport training runs on a four-year cycle. Only one training per year needs to be completed. North Texas Soccer requires the training to be dated June 1st, 2022, or later for the 2022-2023 seasonal year. At this time below is the SafeSport schedule:

  • Year One: SafeSport Trained Core Course (1.5-2 hrs)
  • Year Two: SafeSport Core Refresher 1 Course (15-20 mins)
  • Year Three: SafeSport Core Refresher 2 Course (15-20 mins)
  • Year Four: SafeSport Core Refresher 3 Course (15-20 mins)
  • Year Five: SafeSport Trained Core Course (cycle repeats)
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