Safety Guidelines for SYSA Coaches
As the coach of an SYSA team you are
invested with the primary responsibility for our players (children)
safety. The following is the SYSA policy on what SYSA expects you to do
to protect the safety all involved.
1. Inclement weather. At the FIRST sound
of thunder or sign of lightning, you are to pull your players off the
field be it a game or practice. Do not wait to be told to take this
action. Also make sure all parents know that if thunder is heard or
lighting is seen, they are to return to the field immediately to pick up
their child. Make sure you have list of emergency contact information
whenever you are in charge of the players. This will be helpful in case
you have to take the child off the field to a safety spot such as
another players home.
2. 2 Adults. Make every effort to have 2
adults on the field at every practice.
3. Be prepared. Come to every game and
practice with emergency contact list and cell phone. Also, please ask
parents at beginning of season if there are any special conditions you
should be aware of such as allergies to bee stings, etc.
4. Designated Pick Up area. Make sure
you know where your players will be picked up so that you can make sure
all children have safety connected with an adult prior to leaving the
field. No child is to be left alone. If you need to take child with
you due to a parent not arriving, make every effort to send the player
to a team mates home as opposed to bringing them to your home.
5. Injury. As the coach you will be the
first responder. Call for help if you are unsure. Do not risk moving a
player if it is at all questionable. Also if a child is hurt, complete
an Incident Report (attached) and submit to your AGD immediately. Also,
make sure the parent is aware of the injury immediately.
6. Report. Report any unsafe condition
or concern
to your AGD immediately. Do not assume someone knows about it.
In short we can not be too prepared or
too careful. As the coach you are the one all eyes will turn to.
Please make sure you have prepared, communicated and then documented.
Thank you,
SYSA Board
