“Safety First, Performance Second”
Mission:
To protect every youth athlete’s health, dignity, and future through a structured system of injury prevention, emergency planning, and safe participation practices across all athletic activities.
🧱 CORE COMPONENTS
1. Pre-Participation Requirements
✅ Medical Clearance
- Signed doctor’s physical (within 12 months) required for participation
- Use NFHS or state-recognized PPE (Pre-Participation Evaluation) forms
✅ Parent Consent Forms
- Consent to Treat
- Consent to Participate
- Emergency Contact Sheet
(Completed digitally or on paper before first practice)
✅ Baseline Concussion Screening (Optional but recommended)
- Partner with local PT clinic or online tool for baseline testing (e.g., ImPACT)
2. Environmental & Equipment Safety
✅ Hydration & Heat Protocols
- Follow NFHS Heat Illness Prevention Guidelines
- Mandatory water breaks every 20–30 minutes in heat index > 90°F
- Practices adjusted or canceled for lightning, high heat, or poor air quality
✅ Equipment Checks
- Coaches conduct weekly visual inspections of:
- Cleats and shin guards
- Goalpost anchors
- Balls and nets
- Any damaged or unsafe equipment is immediately removed from use
✅ Facility Safety Walkthrough
- Field inspected weekly for:
- Holes, debris, exposed rebar, uneven ground
- Proper field lining and barrier placement
3. Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
✅ Coach Must Have:
- First Aid Kit (fully stocked)
- AED location memorized and confirmed
- Roster and medical forms on hand
- Cell phone fully charged
✅ Action Steps
- One adult stays with injured athlete
- One adult calls 911 if needed
- Coach or team lead calls parent/guardian
- Incident is logged with safety coordinator
✅ Designated Safety Officer:
Name one adult per session/event to oversee all risk areas
4. Injury Response Protocols
✅ Concussion Protocol
- Immediate removal from play if concussion is suspected
- Athlete cannot return to play until:
- Cleared by a licensed healthcare provider
- Follows a return-to-play protocol (5-day gradual progression)
✅ Minor Injuries
- Basic treatment (ice, rest, wrap) at field
- Parents notified by phone or text after practice
✅ Incident Reporting
- Injury reports completed by coaches within 24 hours and stored on file
5. Staff & Coach Training
✅ Required Certifications:
- CPR & AED Certification (every 2 years)
- NFHS “Concussion in Sports” course (free & online)
- NFHS “Heat Illness Prevention” course
- SafeSport Training (if working with youth under 18)
✅ Optional but Recommended:
- Mental health first aid
- Mandated Reporter training
6. Communication Plan
✅ Parent Notification System
- Email + SMS alert if:
- Practice/game is canceled
- Weather threat or field closure
- Injury requiring pickup
✅ Safety Handbook Provided
- Distributed digitally or in print to all parents and athletes
- Includes emergency contacts, policies, concussion signs, etc.