Given the importance of protecting youth soccer players, US Club Soccer has maintained a Risk Management and Background Check Program since its inception.  

Who Must Submit a Background Check Application:  All staff who are required to be registered and are coaching players U20 and below must complete the application.  This includes all coaches, assistant coaches, and team managers assigned to a competitive team.  If your team is registered as a recreational team or super rec team under US Club Soccer rules (i.e. teams that do not travel, or do not play in competitions outside the club, in-house league, or other similar programs in their area), minimally the head coach is required to be registered and complete a background check. (See Player Rule 105 and Policy 11.01).  These staff may not participate with a team until they have completed the background check process and obtained a staff card.

When Must the Application be Submitted:  The risk application must be submitted every two years, after July 1st of each year, in the year the staff passcard expires.  Staff passcards will not be issued until the individual’s application is reviewed and approved.  Rec coaches must only complete an application in the first year they are registered via the rec roster. 

How is the Application Submitted:  The background check application is accessed and submitted online.  If you are a staff member who needs to complete a risk form, click here to access the online form on the Web site Registration tab. 

More Information:

• US Club Soccer’s Risk Management Program can be found in Attachment A of the Policies.
  
  
• Failure to submit or the falsification of a risk management application may result in the immediate disqualification or suspension of such staff.
  
  
• At the USSF Annual General Meeting in March, 2005, a USSF Risk Task  Force, on which the US Club Soccer Executive Director was a member, made  certain recommendations that are now USSF requirements:
  
  
• USSF Bylaw 212 - All USSF member organizations are required to have a Risk Management Program.
  
  
• USSF Policy 212 - Any actions under the program must be reported to the USSF with 10 business days.
  
  
• USSF Policy 601-10 - Any person disqualified under a member’s risk management program is automatically disqualified from all other USSF members, unless and until the second member reviews the conduct and determines it is not in violation of its own risk management policies.