Northern Ohio Girls Soccer League Goal Safety Policy
Safety is the first priority in all activities sponsored by the Northern Ohio Girls Soccer League. The following policy has been adopted by the Board of Directors of the Northern Ohio Girls Soccer League (hereinafter “NOGSL”) in an effort to establish and clarify the requirements for the safe installation, use and storage of soccer goals in all League-affiliated clubs and communities.
1. The following are NOGSL requirements for all programs and every activity:
a) The coaches or other responsible person (i.e., Field Director or Community Representative) for each game/activity will make a physical inspection of each goal prior to the game/activity to assure that said goals are securely anchored in accordance with CPSC guidelines/manufacturer’s guidelines. (Attached)*
b) The coaches or responsible parties for the last game of the day will make sure that the goals are safely stored in accordance with the CPSC guidelines/manufacturer’s guidelines. (Attached)*
c) Each year NOGSL affiliated clubs and personnel must inform all parents and/or guardians about the dangers of unsecured goals, the parents’/guardians’ responsibility to keep children away from goals, and the need for parents/guardians to report unsafe goals to a coach or responsible party if necessary.
d) Goals that are not securely anchored must be brought into compliance with the CPSC guidelines/manufacturer’s guidelines before use.
2. To reach this end, all coaches will receive a copy of the CPSC guidelines, and clear instructions for the safe and secure installation of goals.
3. Coaches will inform team parents and remind their players of the following safety restrictions:
a) Goals may only be moved by adults who have reviewed the CPSC guidelines
b) No child (player, sibling or other attendee) may climb or hang from a goal
c) Playing around, on or under goals, except as a legitimate part of an NOGSL sponsored activity, is prohibited
At the coach’s discretion, players violating this rule may be penalized and required to sit out for half or an entire game. Players consistently violating the goal safety rules may be subject to a disciplinary hearing of the NOGSL Board.
4. NOGSL affiliated clubs and communities must inform the owners of non-club/league owned fields and/or goals of this policy and its safety requirements before using such fields and/or goals for NOGSL affiliated activities. NOGSL affiliates must inspect and secure these goals before use as listed above.
5. The President of the Board will have random site surveys done to certify compliance with this policy.
6. The President of the Board will certify to OYSAN no later than November 1 of each year that a policy is in place and enforced.
From the OYSAN Policy: Risk Management Policy Excerpts:
The Ohio Youth Soccer Association North shall require all member leagues to certify to the state association each year in November by the AGM that Goal Safety Policies have been implemented by the member organization. (adopted 8/3/04)
BOARD POLICY RM-8:
Board Policy Regarding Goal Safety in Youth Soccer Activities
1. The Ohio Youth Soccer Association North will require its own programs and for every activity:
a. The person coordinating the OYSAN activity or other responsible person will make a physical inspection of each goal prior to the activity to assure that goals are securely anchored and stored in accordance with CPSC guidelines/manufacturer’s guidelines. (Attached)
b. That all parents and guardians are told of the dangers of unsecured goals and the parents’ responsibility to keep kids away from goals, and to secure goals if necessary.
c. That staff of OYSAN will conduct random site surveys.
2. The Ohio Youth Soccer Association North will require all member organizations for every activity:
a. To have a written goal safety policy in accordance with CPSC/Manufacturer guidelines which require:
1. a coach or other responsible person to make a physical inspection of the goal prior to practice and games to assure that the goals are securely anchored and stored in accordance with CPSC guidelines/ manufacturer’s guidelines. (Attached)
2. the policy to include communicating each year with parents of each player and players about the dangers of unsecured goals, and their responsibility to assure that goals are secure. It is appropriate to have a penalty for players playing on goals.
b. The league will conduct random site surveys concerning goal anchoring and storage.
3. Even if OYSAN or the member does not own the fields and goals, the league still has a responsibility to remind the owners of the safety requirements, and to have a policy for the above.