At Soccer Rhode Island, the safety and well-being of everyone involved in the game—players, coaches, officials, and volunteers—are our top priorities. Our Risk Management program is specifically designed to create a secure environment, free from abuse, discrimination, or misconduct. We uphold a strict Zero Tolerance Policy against abuse, bullying, or inappropriate behavior, ensuring that everyone feels safe and welcomed. We are dedicated to continually improving the safety of the sport by adopting the latest tools and best practices. By following these guidelines, we aim to provide a positive, secure experience for all members of the soccer community.
Risk Management Policies
Our approach to risk management is comprehensive, focusing on training, education, and background checks to ensure safe participation. We require all individuals involved in youth soccer to adhere to the following standards:
SafeSport Training
All coaches, referees, and volunteers must complete SafeSport Training, which is designed to help identify, prevent, and respond to abuse in sports. This online training equips individuals to recognize signs of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and provides guidance on how to report such incidents effectively.
Concussion Awareness
It is crucial for coaches and officials to understand how to spot concussions. We require all individuals to complete the CDC’s Heads Up Concussion Training, which educates participants on how to recognize concussion symptoms and the proper procedures for managing them.
Background Checks
To protect our young athletes, Soccer Rhode Island mandates background checks for all coaches, referees, and volunteers who will have direct or indirect contact with a participating minor. These checks are critical to ensuring that individuals with a history of misconduct or abuse do not have access to the youth sports community.
Reporting Abuse
Soccer Rhode Island takes abuse and misconduct seriously. If you witness or suspect any form of misconduct or abuse, you are encouraged to report it immediately. We have adopted the US Center for Safe Sport’s Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP) and US Soccer’s Model Prohibited Conduct Policy, which contain clear procedures in place for reporting, whether the incident involves an athlete, coach, or any other participant. If you suspect someone might be experiencing abuse Report it Here.