Terms & Conditions

Our Terms & Conditions cover essential aspects such as the rights and responsibilities of participants, safety measures, dispute resolution, and the use of soccer-related content. We want to maintain transparency and clarity to foster a supportive environment where everyone can grow and thrive.

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GOL365 Terms and Conditions

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I. Rights and Responsibilities of Participants

• Player Responsibilities: Players are expected to abide by team rules, be respectful to coaches, volunteers, and other players, treat others with fairness and respect, attend and be prepared for all events, show respect to officials, and refrain from offensive language, intentional harm, bullying, harassment, social media abuse, and the use of illegal or performance-enhancing substances. They must know and follow the laws of the match and play fairly.

• Parent/Guardian Responsibilities: Parents and guardians are encouraged to be positive role models, encourage good sportsmanship, and refrain from coaching during games and practices unless they are official coaches. They must respect officials and their authority, avoid questioning them during games, and understand that there is zero tolerance for referee abuse. They are also responsible for ensuring their child has the correct equipment and is on time for events. Understanding club and league policies is expected, and disputes should be resolved by speaking with coaches at an agreed-upon time and place, rather than at the game field.

• Organizer/Club Responsibilities: Organizers are responsible for the conduct of their teams and personnel, providing a safe and positive environment, promoting fair play, and enforcing discipline. Policies often require background screening and abuse prevention training for adults involved with youth participants. 

II. Safety Measures

• Risk Acknowledgement & Assumption: Participants and their parents/guardians acknowledge and assume the inherent risks of youth soccer, including injury, illness, and death.

• Waiver of Liability: Parents/guardians often release the soccer organizations and associated personnel from liability for injuries or illness, including those potentially arising from negligence. An example of a waiver can be found in the Massachusetts Youth Soccer registration agreement.

• Equipment Requirements: Shin guards and appropriate footwear are typically required, with restrictions on items like jewelry and hats for safety.

• Medical Fitness: Participants confirm their physical fitness and agree to inform coaches of any health changes.

• Insurance: Participants are often advised that the league/club may not provide personal injury or health insurance and should have their own coverage.

• Concussion Training: Training is frequently recommended or required for parents and players.

• Coach Responsibilities for Safety: Coaches are responsible for ensuring safe playing environments, equipment, and training activities.

• Zero Tolerance: Policies prohibit dangerous behavior, such as fighting.

• Facility Safety: Leagues may have the right to ensure safe operations at playing areas and to remove individuals for safety reasons.

• Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP): Policies limit interactions between adults and minor participants and establish standards for training and sport settings to prevent abuse and misconduct, aligning with requirements from US Soccer.

• Background Screening: Appropriate background checks are mandated for adults interacting with youth participants. 

III. Dispute Resolution

• Reporting Misconduct: Organizations must have procedures for reporting misconduct, including violations of the SafeSport Code or MAAPP.

• Internal Resolution Steps: Some organizations outline a process involving communication with the coach, then potentially a Sport Commissioner, and finally the league/club Board if issues remain unresolved.

• Prohibition on Referee/Coach Confrontation: Specific clauses prohibit disputing calls with officials or confronting coaches at the game field; parents are directed to schedule discussions with coaches at a different time and location.

• Sanctions for Violations: Violations of codes of conduct can result in warnings, suspensions, or dismissal from the season.

• Formal Arbitration (Potential): While not explicitly detailed for youth soccer in the provided snippets, general sports contracts often include provisions for settling disputes through arbitration.

• Waiver of Jury Trial/Class Action: Although not specifically shown in the snippets for youth soccer, it is common practice in sports contracts to waive the right to jury trials and participation in class-action lawsuits. 

IV. Use of Soccer-Related Content (Likeness, Photography, Video)

• Restrictions on Commercial Use of Images: Using player images, team logos, or jerseys for commercial purposes without permission/licensing is generally prohibited due to rights of publicity and trademark laws.

• Permission for Photography/Video: Clubs should obtain permission from players and their parents/carers before using photography or video, particularly as a coaching aid. Specific guidelines suggest avoiding naming players if their photograph is used and vice versa, and always seeking permission from both the player and parent/carer.

• Social Media: Players are prohibited from using social media to harass or threaten individuals involved in the sport.

• Media Rights (Implied): Participants often grant the organizing entity a license to use their image and likeness for event-related purposes. Specific terms for youth soccer were not provided, but this is implied by the restrictions on commercial use without permission.

• Reporting Concerns: 

• Policy for reporting concerns about inappropriate image use.

• Policies concerning reporting inappropriate image use in youth sports, particularly youth soccer, typically involve multiple layers and reporting obligations:

• I. Immediate Actions and Reporting

• Law Enforcement: If you suspect a child is in immediate danger or subject to abuse (including inappropriate image use), contact the police or your local Department of Children and Families (or equivalent child welfare agency) immediately. This is legally mandated for covered individuals under the SafeSport Act.

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): For online child sexual exploitation, contact the CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678 or via their website, www.cybertipline.com.

• U.S. Center for SafeSport: Reports of sexual misconduct, harassment, child abuse, and intimate relationships involving an imbalance of power, especially within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement (which includes soccer), should be reported to the Center via their online form or by calling 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233). Reporting to the Center is required for certain individuals and organizations according to the U.S. Center for SafeSport. 

• II. Reporting within the Youth Soccer Structure

• Club/Organization Welfare Officer or Administrator: If you become aware of inappropriate image use, you should inform your local club's welfare officer or relevant administrator (e.g., President, Risk Manager) immediately.

• National Governing Body (e.g., U.S. Soccer): Report concerns to the relevant national governing body. For soccer, this would be U.S. Soccer via their online platform or by calling (312) 528-7004. Reporting here supports the organization's commitment to safety and ethics.

• State Youth Soccer Association: If the issue involves a specific state's youth soccer program (e.g., Massachusetts Youth Soccer), you may also need to file a report with them. 

• III. Additional Measures and Considerations

• Documentation: Make a detailed record of the date, time, location, individuals involved, and a summary of the incident.

• Consent & Permissions: Review your organization's policies regarding photography and video, particularly concerning obtaining consent from children and parents for the use of images.

• Social Media & Online Platforms: Report content that violates platform standards (e.g., YouTube, Facebook) according to The Administration for Children and Families.

• No Retaliation: The SafeSport Act and many organizational policies prohibit retaliation against those who report in good faith.

• Safe Sport Act: The SafeSport Act mandates prompt reporting of suspected abuse (including sexual abuse) by Olympic governing bodies and amateur sports organizations to either law enforcement or a child welfare agency within 24 hours. This applies to individuals interacting with minors in these organizations.

• Understanding Boundaries: Review policies like the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) to clarify appropriate boundaries and behavior between adults and minors.

• Training and Education: Ensure that all staff and volunteers who work with children have received appropriate training on prevention and reporting, including recognizing grooming behaviors and mandatory reporting obligations.

• Professional Photography/Filming: When working with professional services, ensure clear contracts are in place regarding image usage, security, and adherence to safeguarding policies. 

• Note: While reporting to U.S. Soccer or the Center for SafeSport is crucial for their processes, it doesn't always fulfill the legal obligation to report to law enforcement. It's essential to comply with all applicable state and federal laws and organizational policies regarding mandatory reporting and safeguarding. If unsure, err on the side of caution and make multiple reports to relevant entities to ensure the concern is addressed appropriately.

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