Below is soccer-related info for coaches and other volunteers for Melrose Youth Soccer. If you are looking for the technical info about how to use the SportsConnect site, see either the City Coach Guide or the Travel Coach Guide.
CORI Form
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Mass Youth Soccer requires that all coaches and volunteers complete a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) form to allow the state to process background checks for all volunteers working with children.
Melrose Youth Soccer takes seriously its commitment to provide a quality developmental youth sports program for the children of Melrose. Part of that commitment is to ensure that we provide a safe environment for all those children in our program. The MYS Board of Directors has developed a comprehensive child protection policy that has been reviewed by Mass Youth Soccer, as well as a national organization that focuses on child protection. As outlined, below, the commitment that you must make to this policy and to the protection of the children in the MYS program.
It is mandatory that every volunteer in MYS (Board Members, Volunteers, Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Team Managers, etc.) complete the steps outlined below prior to stepping out on the field. Every adult who works with Melrose Youth Soccer must be CORIed — there are NO exceptions.
We are not allowed to share CORI information, so even if you have submitted CORI information for Melrose Recreation, the School System, or any other organization, we need for you to submit through Melrose Youth Soccer.
Child Protection Procedures for Volunteers
1. Go to: https://mayouthsoccer.org/resources/adult-registration/ to begin Adult Registration with Mass Youth Soccer. You will need a picture of yourself to upload during registration. Adult registrations will be an annual requirement coinciding with the soccer calendar year (Fall/Spring seasons) even though the CORI approval is good for multiple years.
2. Please double check when choosing Melrose Youth Soccer for your organization during your Adult Registration.
3. The link to complete your required CORI Submission Request will be sent to you via the “Thank you for registering” email. The link is 2/3rds down in the content of that “Thank you for registering” email that comes from noreply@sportsaffinity. com
4. Per MA youth soccer rule, You will be required to meet face to face with the Child Protection Officer to verify your ID. Once your Adult registration is in the system you will be notified of available meeting times.
5. Review your registration information on SportsManager to ensure that you have provided your FULL LEGAL NAME (not Bill for William, etc.) and that your Date Of Birth has been input. Your name should match what was entered on your Adult Registration above.
6. Read the “Child Protection Policy” and “7 Steps to Protecting Our Children” that can be found on the home page of Melrose Youth Soccer (www.melroseyouthsoccer.org). Acceptance of any coaching or volunteer position implies agreement to abide by these policies.
Head Injury Awareness and Prevention
Parents and coaches are the first and the most critical line of defense in minimizing the risk of head injury to youth athletes. By taking this free online course presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and applying what you learn, you will be well positioned to improve the culture of concussion. Your actions can help create a safe environment for young athletes so that they can stay healthy, active, and thrive – both on and off the playing field. This course is required for all coaches: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html
Discipline Escalation Guide
Coaches, please review: MYS Discipline Escalation Guide
Q & A
Q: I am a coach in Melrose, and I have heard that if I take one of the Mass Youth Soccer licensing courses that MYS will pay. Is that true?
A: Absolutely. Check in with your travel coordinator about what courses might be appropriate and then save your canceled check and submit a copy of your certificate to MYS.
Q: What should I do as a coach when there is lightning and thunder?
A: Get your team off the field and into safe shelter when lightning is less than 6 miles away (30 seconds from lightning to thunderclap) and don’t take the field again for 30 minutes after the lightning is gone. See Precautions in dealing with Lightning Tips for more details from Mass Youth Soccer.
Resources For Coaches
Zero Tolerance Policy
Melrose Youth Soccer maintains a Zero Tolerance Policy for fan and coach behavior toward referee and players. See our Code of Conduct page for full info and links.
Mass Youth Soccer
For more information on Coaching Courses, Coach Code of Conduct and Tournament Listings, please visit: Mass Youth Soccer's Course Education Couses