Adult Athlete = Player 18+
Who is considered an adult athlete? A player who is 18 years of age or older.
SafeSport and U.S. Soccer Adult Athlete Requirements
SafeSport Abuse Prevention Training is U.S. Soccer and Mass Youth Soccer Policy
As required under Federal Law
Who must take the SafeSport Abuse Prevention 90-minute Core Training?
Players/athletes who are 18 years of age or older or will turn 18 during a current playing season, and play on a team with minor athletes (regular contact) are required to take the SafeSport Abuse Prevention 90-minute Core training to participate. For example, for the spring season, if the player is 18 years old prior to April 1, or turning 18 after April 1, but before June 30, they are required to take the training.
Player and Parent Responsibilities:
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Contact your club's administrator to request the U.S. Soccer SafeSport Training Link and Enrollment Key.
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WHY? For players to connect the training to U.S. Soccer, and access the required SafeSport Abuse Prevention 90-minute Core training for free, the club administrator will need to provide the player/parent with the U.S. Soccer SafeSport Training Link and Enrollment Key.
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Players that are 17 years of age must have parental consent prior to taking the SafeSport Abuse Prevention training.
- Players will create a SafeSport account and take the SafeSport Abuse Prevention 90-minute Core training.
- Upon completion of the training, the player will receive a certificate which needs to be sent to the organization’s registrar (see below for further instructions).
In addition, Adult Athletes are now considered Mandatory Reporters. If you know or suspect child abuse, you are required to report it to law enforcement and the Center for SafeSport, and to follow any additional state law requirements.
How to Manage the Requirements as an Organization’s Risk Manager:
- Advise all players and their parents in this age range of the new requirement.
- Provide the player/parent with:
- The organization will be responsible for ensuring players who are 18 years of age or older or will turn 18 during a current playing season while playing on a team with minor athletes, take the SafeSport Core Abuse Prevention training.
- All organizations will be required to acknowledge and attest to compliance with this requirement when completing their Mass Youth Soccer Annual Leadership report.