COACHES

All potential coaches (head/assistant/co-coach) must complete a volunteer registration through their OYAA account. This is best done during the registration of the child in their chosen activity/sport; however, it can be completed independent of the child registration. Only registered volunteers will be considered for coaching positions. NOTE: Coaches' requests for specific athletes will NOT be considered. If properly registered, a coach's own children are automatically linked and assigned to the parent's team. Requests for specific teammates/coaches can only be made in the athlete registration. All coaches (head/assistant/co-coach) must pass a risk management screening process described below. There must be at least one approved coach from the team's roster in attendance at all games/practices. If a substitute is needed, another parent must register and complete the screening process. The screening is not intended for volunteers helping as Admin Support - those helping strictly in administrative roles (scorekeepers or snack organizers, for example). It is meant for those leading the team.

• Coaches must be high school graduates at least 18 years of age

 

• Coaches must view the required sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) video and read the informational handout.

 

• Coaches must furnish a valid completion certificate from an approved concussion safety course.

 

• Coaches must authorize a background check from OYAA's contracted vendor.

Program directors/commissioners must enforce these requirements and will delay the release of rosters, schedules, uniforms and/or equipment until all coaches in their program have complied. Steps to complete these requirements are below. Additional details about each requirement can be found under the Resources tab. Questions about a coach's status can be directed to tjones@oyaa.org. Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Lindsay’s Law

The following resources for coaches were developed to implement Lindsay’s Law: § Required video § Required SCA Informational Handout

Links to these resources are provided within the online volunteer registration form, so this requirement will be met as volunteers submit their registration.

 

CONCUSSION SAFETY

Certificates are valid for three years and must not expire during the season you are coaching. Complete ONE of the following free, online courses: § The National Federation of State High School Associations’ training program “Concussion in Sports”; § National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention program “Heads Up to Youth Sports: Online Training.”

Download your full-size (not wallet sized) completion certificate to your drive. EMAIL THE CERTIFICATE to tjones@oyaa.org as an attachment. Screen prints or photographs of the certificate WILL NOT be accepted. Background Check

The background check is initiated and paid by OYAA. Coaches will receive a link to authorize the background check via email. To ensure you receive these important emails, add TheAdvocates@sterlingvolunteers.com to your address book or email whitelist. Please note that background checks completed by another vendor will not be accepted. Results from Sterling Volunteers will be provided directly to OYAA and will remain confidential. Please direct any questions regarding the background check to background@oyaa.org.

 

ADMIN SUPPORT

In addition to a team’s assigned coaches, each team may have support to help during practices, games, and with team administration. Admin Support personnel must be related to a player or coach on the team (parent, sibling, etc.).

Because there is no background check or other risk management requirement for support personnel, there are limitations regarding their involvement. They may:

• Assist the coaches by following the coaches’ instruction in practices and games

 

• Assist with practice drills

 

• Help with team equipment

 

• Help with administration such as coordinating snacks, scorekeeping, or other team-related events (as instructed by the head or assistant coach)

 

Admin Support personnel may not:

• Make coaching decisions during a game or practice. They must be instructed by a coach.

 

• Participate in a practice or game without a coach present

 

• Lead/coach a game or practice

Admin Support volunteers are helpers for the coaching staff. If a support person does not follow the guidelines set out for them or is not responsive to a coach’s request, there is no obligation for the coaching staff to continue to use that individual as an aide.

If any questions arise about a support volunteer, they should be directed to the program commissioner.