PLAYER PROTECTION POLICIES

MYSA has adopted the following Player Protection policies:
  1. The Affiliate Member shall distribute to all members of the organization copies of the Player/Adult Safety Guidelines.
  2. All applicants for positions as coaches, assistant coaches, athletic trainers, team managers/responsible adults, and Board Members shall return a completed Adult Registration/Informed Consent form to the Affiliate Member’s risk manager prior to beginning their work with the organization’s youth. The risk manager shall also have Adult Registration/Informed Consent forms signed by any other volunteer s/he deems necessary due to the volunteer’s access to the youth of the organization.
  3. The Affiliate Member will forward the Adult Registration/Informed Consent forms to the State Risk Manager to have background checks performed on all applicants for positions as coaches, assistant coaches, athletic trainers, and board members annually. Background checks on volunteers not holding the positions specified above will be discretionary, not mandatory.
  4. MYSA and its Affiliate Members shall not knowingly permit any person convicted of a crime against persons, a crime of violence, or the sale of illegal substances within the last 15 years to become or remain in any volunteer position for the organization. If background checks reveal convictions of any crimes within the past 15 years from the date of application, the person’s application shall be rejected or s/he will be dismissed from any position s/he holds in the organization. Any convictions occurring more than 15 years ago may be considered by the State Risk Manager in the determining of the applicant’s suitability for the position, but will not automatically disqualify the application.
  5. The Affiliate Member shall appoint a local risk manager to distribute and collect the Adult Registration/Informed Consent forms and to act as a liaison between the Affiliate Member and the State Risk Manager.
  6. The Affiliate Member, and/or MYSA, shall discipline persons found to have violated its Guidelines and policies.
  7. The State Risk Manager shall share information found in performing background checks with the Affiliate Member Risk Manager.
  8. In the event the Affiliate Member receives a complaint of physical or sexual abuse of a player, the risk manager shall report the abuse to the local law enforcement authorities.
  9. After a physical or sexual abuse complaint has been formally lodged with the local law enforcement authority, the risk manager shall inform the alleged offender, in writing and by registered mail, that s/he is suspended immediately from all activities within the organization until the complaint is dismissed.
  10. If any complaint is filed with MYSA regarding a violation of Player/Adult Protection Guidelines or the organization’s Harassment Policies, other than physical or sexual abuse, the State Risk Manager shall speak to all parties involved, make a written report of the complaint and his/her findings, and shall make a decision regarding discipline (if appropriate). If either party, the complainant or the accused, wishes to appeal the decision or discipline rendered by the State Risk Manager, they may do so to the MYSA Appeals Committee.
  11. The committee shall hear the complaint in person or in writing. After hearing the complaint and any response, and reviewing the report of the State Risk Manager, the committee shall make its findings and determination.
  12. The Affiliate Member shall send copies of such reports regarding alleged physical or sexual abuse of a player to the State Risk Manager. The State Risk Manager shall maintain confidential files of all abuse complaints made against persons involved in the organization.