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SAFETY

Dear SYSA Membership:


We're ready to begin the FALL SYSA 2010 Travel season and IM season.

While everyone is excited to play soccer, we are sending approximately 800 children and their parents onto the fields as well as hosting other towns.  We owe our children, our neighbors and our visitors a level of respect and care.  Please take a moment to review the following from a safety point of view.

1) Please be very aware of entrance roadways to fields and do not park in a manner that could block an emergency vehicle from gaining immediate access to our fields. 

2) Please be very aware of children when picking up or dropping off as we have many children in motion (who may not be thinking about you).

3) Please do not park on the roads near the Charlotte Road entrance to Phillips. 

4) Please do not allow children / players in cleats to walk on the Jackson Field Track. Please use the mats. If you see visiting teams walking or warming up on the track please inform them politely that we ask that they not do so.

5) Please do not bring dogs to the fields. While any one dog may be a non-threat, any dog may cause another dog to react. Children or adults can be caught in the middle.  

6) Please have each child bring water to every game, wear shin guards under the socks, and pack 2 ice packs in their bag.

7) Please remember no jewelry is allowed other than emergency medical jewelry that is completely wrapped. No exceptions for either practice or games. Do not ask the coach to make an exception.

8) Please take responsibility to prepare your child with proper sun block and bug spray as SYSA coaches will not be applying or supplying these to your children.

9) Please make sure as a parent that your child's coach knows how to reach you at all times.

10) Please be aware of weather conditions and be prepared to pick up your child should thunder or lighting approach.

11) Please be considerate of your coaches by being on time in picking up your child after a practice or a game. The coach may not leave until every child is with their ride home. 

12) Please respect the Zero Tolerance Policy of SYSA. Do not criticize referees or players. This is youth sports and we ask that adults set an example.

13) Please do not allow children / players to climb fences. Please walk to entrance.

14) Please contact me at safety.sysa@gmail.com if you have any concerns or questions either now or throughout the season.

The mission of SYSA is to provide a fun and safe environment for your child to learn and to play soccer as well as being part of a team.  We need your help to make this work. By respecting the above, we should have a fun and safe spring season.

Thank you,

Chris Hawthorne

SYSA Safety Director


FOR FURTHER SAFETY INFORMATION ...

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©® 2010
Swampscott Youth Soccer Association
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SYSA
Board of Directors

Michael Johnson
President 

Jack Steele
Travel Director

Barry Greenfield
Intramural Director

Chris Hawthorne
Safety & Risk Management Director

Chris Bendicksen
Fields and
Equipment Director

Gary Barden
Registrar

Jarrett Bridge
Treasurer

Jan DePaolo
Secretary

Kristia DeRoche
Communications Director

Susan Rosa
Nahant Representative

Michael Sheffer
Past President

 

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Safety Guidelines for SYSA Coaches
Teaching the children how to play soccer, be a good team mate, be part of a team and compete is the mission of SYSA and it must done keeping the players safe. In 2008, SYSA introduced Safety and Risk Management as a new Board position in recognition of this.

The first major step of this effort was to establish the SYSA Coaches Code of Conduct. This document signed by all current coaches spells out in very clear terms what is and is not acceptable behavior by a coach and how any incidents will be handled in the future. This document is available for all to read on the SYSA website. SYSA Coaches Code of Conduct

Another step was establishing a lightning and thunder policy for all coaches to adhere to. If you have any safety concerns please contact me as quickly as possible. This is one place we cannot afford to lose.
 Thank You,
Chris Hawthorne
safety.sysa@gmail.com
O:781-914-1038
C: 617-308-0033

INCIDENT REPORT.doc - INCIDENT REPORT.pdf
 
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. Two 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  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

All SYSA players must make sure they are wearing the correct style cleat on the fields.  Please be advised that baseball and football cleats are not acceptable and dangerous for soccer play.  Use the picture below as a guide. Thank you...
 
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