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We will be using GotSport as our preferred platform provider for all of our leagues, events, and program registrations for Alabama Soccer Association. We are currently in the middle of club training for the fall season so if you missed Phase One or Phase Two, please see the links below and other helpful hints.

Where do I start with GotSport?

Club registrars and managers have gone thru training sessions with GotSport during this summer to prepare for the fall season.

- If you need to review any of the Phases: All Phases are HERE
- If you are a new club or still need to set up with GotSport, please start with Onboarding
- Registrars Manual

We have gone through all three phases above so if you have further questions go to the ZenHelp or contact GotSoccer/GotSport below.

- More help articles and Frequent questions are in the GotSport ZenHelp Desk HELP ME

Contact Us

Clubs@GotSoccer.com

+1 904-746-4446

www.gotsoccer.com

Alabama Soccer Association follows guidelines under US Soccer, US Youth, and local governances to do our due diligence to protect the members of our association and particular our players under our affiliated clubs.

U.S. SOCCER INTEGRITY HOTLINE

(312) 528-7004 or click here.

SAFESPORT.ORG

Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017

We encourage all members (Youth and Adult) to read the email and linked resources in full, and want to reinforce a few items:

The bill amends the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 to extend the duty to report suspected child abuse, including sexual abuse, within 24 hours to all adults who are authorized to interact with minor or amateur athletesby a national governing body, a member of a national governing body, or an amateur sports organization that participates in interstate or international amateur athletic competition. These individuals are called “covered individuals” in the new legislation.

Child abuse is defined as physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, or negligent treatment of a child.

Per current federal regulations, reports of child abuse should be made to the local law enforcement agency or local child protective services agency that has jurisdiction to investigate reports of child abuse or to protect child abuse victims or to the FBI. These regulations have not yet been updated to reflect the recent change in the law. Until such time as the regulations are updated, U.S. Soccer will make reports to (1) local law enforcement where any alleged incident took place to the extent it can be determined and the incident occurred in the United States, (2) local law enforcement where the victim resides if different than (1), and (3) the FBI.

An individual who is required, but fails, to report suspected child sexual abuse is subject to criminal penalties including fines and up to one (1) year in jail.

These obligations are in addition to any State law requirements that an individual may have in a particular jurisdiction.

Additionally, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) distributed a PSA about the SafeSport Center to all National Governing Bodies, and you are welcome to download and distribute the video to your members.

United Soccer Coaches partnership with MOCSA click here

Risk Management is a method for identifying risks in all areas, and developing and implementing a plan to protect an organization and prevent loss.

It is the intent of Alabama Soccer Association to provide a healthy, safe and enjoyable soccer environment for all participants. Each year we have updated our Risk Management policies based on US Soccer, US Youth Soccer guidelines, and Alabama Law.

Currently, each seasonal year (August 1 – July 31), our coaches, managers, and administrators in our ASA affiliated clubs are required to have a background check, SafeSport Certification, CoachSafely Certification, and follow Safe Soccer Framework in order to be listed on a team roster and/or have any contact with youth in any of our programs.

If you have specific questions about Risk Management please contact:

Jennifer Pfeiffer, Executive Director

Kristin Roberts, State Risk Management Coordinator

ASA Risk Management Policy – Click Here

SAFE SOCCER

U.S. Soccer has developed the Safe Soccer Framework as a foundation from which all participants in the soccer community, be they athletes, coaches, referees, administrators or volunteers, play an active role in creating an environment free from emotional, physical or sexual abuse. The Safe Soccer Framework is a comprehensive program of policies and process, screening, education and training, reporting, monitoring and enforcement designed to help participants detect and report abuse, respond to it, and prevent future occurrences. This Framework applies to U.S. Soccer national level programs. Please see Policy 212-3 below for information applicable to U.S. Soccer’s Organization Members. Effective September 1, 2019, any Organization Member not in compliance with this Policy 212-3 will be subject to enforcement as provided in Section 6.

Website for Safe Soccer Framework, Bylaw 212 and Policy 212-3 click here

RECOGNIZE to RECOVER

US Soccer’s comprehensive player health and safety program aimed at promoting safe play and reducing injuries in soccer players of all ages.

Recognize to Recover was developed with the help of medical experts and will provide coaches, players, parents and referees with information, guidance and educational materials to improve the prevention and management of injuries.

For more information on US Soccer’s Recognize to Recover, click here

August 2018: CPR/AED Video on Recognize to Recover Presented by Thorne
Below is a link to our CPR/AED Training video that was recently posted on the Recognize to Recover website.

The video was produced to educate players, coaches, referees, and parents as part of our ongoing efforts to promote and elevate player safety. This video is part of a comprehensive player safety module that will be included in all online Coaching and Referee Education courses.

The video is currently available on the Recognize to Recover website, and specifically in the “Cardiac Conditions” section, and you can get to it via this link:

http://www.recognizetorecover.org/cardiac/#cardiac-arrest (if you don’t see the video immediately, scroll down and you should see it).

Once the full Player Safety module is complete, we will work with your office on the best way to disseminate the information through your own channels, should you choose to do that.

REPORT A CONCERN

SAFE SPORT

For Alabama Soccer Association, we have required every adult who is working with youth under 18 are required to have the Safe Sport-Sexual Abuse Awareness Training-Youth Sports program each year and uploaded to their GotSport profile in order to be listed on a team roster. Every adult registered in the GotSport platform has access to the required SafeSport link on their Coaches Profile.

Please Read our GotSport Platform page for any questions.

COACHSAFELY

The CoachSafely Foundation made history in 2018 when its advocacy, designed to create a new standard in youth sports safety, led to a breakthrough in public policy. The Coach Safely Act (Alabama Code 2018-496) – passed by the Alabama Legislature and signed by Gov. Kay Ivey – became the first law in the United States requiring youth coaches to be trained in a comprehensive course of injury recognition and prevention to protect their athletes.

The Foundation created the CoachSafely training course, which has been approved by the Alabama Department of Public Health, to meet the law’s mandate. While focusing on education and research to train youth coaches to keep their players safe, the Foundation continues to advocate for similar legislative mandates in other states in the Southeastern Conference footprint and beyond.

For Alabama Soccer Association, CoachSafely is another layer of the risk management required for our coaches, managers, and administrators in our clubs to help keep our players in a safe environment. Each year our adults working with players will have to complete the required certification by CoachSafely in their GotSport profile in order to be listed on any team rosters. Contact your club administrator to receive access to the CoachSafely education requirement.

CoachSafely Injury Prevention Wheel

CoachSafely Sudden Cardiac Arrest Guide

CoachSafely Youth Parent Helpful Resources

Respect the Referee

We know everyone wants to enjoy watching the game their player is playing in and we know some games get a little intense. ASA wants to help create a safe environment for everyone involved from the players to the coaches, spectators on the sidelines, parents trying to keep kids active, managers organize the chaos of each team, club directors overseeing the day-to-day activity, and referees because we need them in order to have games.

We want everyone to return to the next training session, next game, and next season of play because we know soccer is a lifetime sport.

Referees have a tough job. We have young referees who are new to their role and trying to learn all 17 Laws of the Game plus apply them to a moving game is hard. Alabama Soccer Association (ASA) has created a Small Sided Referee Course to try and recruit, retain, and teach the game as a referee with our youngest players. You will see them with bright new t-shirts…

Anyone wearing this shirt is an Alabama Soccer Association Small Sided Certified Referee and deserves the right to participate in soccer environments where they feel safe, encouraged, and heard so they return to do another game, another season, etc. A USSF Referee may be assigned to a game along with a Small Sided Referee.

ZERO TOLERANCE for REFEREE ABUSE

Coaches and/or spectators are not to question the calls of the referees
Coaches and/or spectators are not to confront referees after a match regarding decisions made during the match.
Abuse towards any referee will not be tolerated, any abuse towards a youth referee will result in more severe disciplinary action by ASA.
The Coach is responsible for ensuring all spectators associated with his/her team follow these guidelines relating to communication with a youth referee..

Any club or organizations Board Members or Directors present at the game shall, if necessary, intervene in any coach, spectator, or other adult is criticizing or abusing a referee, verbally or otherwise and may take immediate and appropriate action. Coach may also address the spectator. This may include directing the offender to leave the site, and/or suspending or terminating the game.

Rules of Competition

Futures League (Formerly CASL)

Note new rules including Build out Line at Midfield for 7v7 9U-10U games
No slide tackling for all ages, no heading for 9U-12U, no punting for 9U-12U

Academy Leagues -DLeague and Across Borders League

Alabama State League (ASL

Don't Coach from the Sidelines

Stay Home and Train Tools

Insurance:

Adults – Click Here
Youth – Click Here

Affiliation Form:

Affiliate 2020-2021

If you are a new soccer program and want to join Alabama Soccer Association, contact Jennifer directly at jennifer@alsoccer.org

International Clearance (ITC):

International Clearance Process – Will go to US Soccer for clearance

Player/Team:

Tournaments or Friendlies:

In order to receive Alabama Soccer Association’s approval to host a tournament or friendly games, you must fill out the application and hosting agreement then email it to Jennifer and Lynn for consideration. Events that ASA approves will be posted on the website and covered under USYS sanctioning rules.

Governing Documents

Alabama Soccer Association Bylaws

ASA General Membership Rules

US Youth Soccer (USYSA)

Bylaws & Policies

United States Soccer Federation (USSF)

Bylaws & Policies

United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA)

Bylaws & Policies

2/2021 Updated based on 2021 AGM registrations for voting

Where do I start with GotSport?

Contact Us

Alabama Soccer Association follows guidelines under US Soccer, US Youth, and local governances to do our due diligence to protect the members of our association and particular our players under our affiliated clubs.

U.S. SOCCER INTEGRITY HOTLINE

(312) 528-7004 or click here.

SAFESPORT.ORG

RECOGNIZE to RECOVER

REPORT A CONCERN

SAFE SPORT

COACHSAFELY

Other Helpful Links to Keep our Players in a Safe Soccer Environment

Respect the Referee

ZERO TOLERANCE for REFEREE ABUSE

Rules of Competition

Don't Coach from the Sidelines

Stay Home and Train Tools

Insurance:

Affiliation Form:

Player/Team:

Tournaments or Friendlies:

Governing Documents

North District

Central District

South Central District

South District