SAFEGUARDING POLICY

1. Purpose & Scope
PL Sports LLC ("PL Sports") is committed to ensuring the safety, well-being, and protection of all participants in our events—with particular emphasis on minors. This policy aligns with the U.S. Attorney-approved SafeSport Act, U.S. Soccer’s Athlete & Participant Safety Policy (Policy 212-3), the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP), and the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s SafeSport Code.
This policy applies to all individuals—paid staff, contractors, volunteers, coaches, officials, and others—who interact regularly or in supervisory roles with minor participants.

2. Background Screening
PL Sports will require all staff, volunteers, coaches, referees, and volunteers aged 18 and over to undergo a thorough background check before engaging with minors.

The screening will include:
-National criminal database searches
-State sex offender registry checks
-Verification of identity (e.g., SSN/address)
-Centralized Disciplinary Database look-up (e.g., U.S. Center for SafeSport)

Results will be reviewed by PL Sports’ designated compliance officer. Any individual with a disqualifying history (e.g., sexual misconduct, crimes against minors, substance offenses) will be immediately excluded.


3. Education & SafeSport Training

All applicable individuals must complete SafeSport training modules (initial and annual refresher), as required for compliance with U.S. Soccer and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

PL Sports will adopt, or closely mirror, U.S. Soccer’s Safe Soccer Clearance program—coupling training, background check, and ongoing contact verification into one streamlined compliance platform.

4. MAAPP and One-on-One Interaction Controls

PL Sports adopts the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP), limiting one-on-one interactions—especially in private or unsupervised settings—with minors, unless another certified adult is present or supervision protocols are followed.

Instances requiring one-on-one interactions (e.g., medical, coaching corrections) must:

-Be open and observable
-Follow documented procedures
-Ensure supervise or dual-adult presence

5. Code of Conduct & Prohibited Behavior

PL Sports will implement a clear Code of Conduct, addressing and prohibiting:

Sexual misconduct, harassment, bullying, emotional or physical abuse

Hazing, intimidation, inappropriate fraternization, retaliation.

This code will be consistent with U.S. Soccer’s Model Prohibited Conduct Policy and MAAPP requirements under Policy 212-3.


6. Reporting & Response Procedures
Any suspicion or allegation of misconduct—sexual, emotional, physical, or bullying—must be reported immediately to:

-Local law enforcement or child protective services (when required by law).

-The U.S. Center for SafeSport, as applicable

-PL Sports’ designated safeguarding officer or staff.

-PL Sports will have a written internal procedure outlining:

7. Monitoring, Compliance & Sanctions

PL Sports will maintain compliance tracking, including:

-Training completion

-Background check status

-Incident logs and investigation outcomes

-Failure to comply with training or screening will result in suspension from participation until requirements are met, mirroring U.S. Soccer protocols.

Any violation of policy may result in:

Immediate removal from events

Barring from future participation

Reporting to appropriate authorities and SafeSport

8. Governance & Accountability

PL Sports shall appoint a Safeguarding Officer (or team) responsible for:

-Administering training and screening

-Tracking compliance

-Receiving and responding to reports

-Liaising with SafeSport and law enforcement.

-Annual audits of safeguarding compliance will be conducted—potentially utilizing external evaluators or platforms like SafeSport Clearance.

9. Communication & Stakeholder Awareness

This policy will be:

Distributed to partners, all event-affiliated individuals, and volunteers

Embedded within event registration, contracts, and onboarding procedures

PL Sports will provide resources to athletes, parents, and partners on:

How to recognize and report abuse

Behavioral expectations and safeguarding measures

10. Continuous Improvement

PL Sports commits to ongoing policy review, incorporating updates from:

U.S. Center for SafeSport (e.g., SafeSport Code, MAAPP updates).

U.S. Soccer’s Safe Soccer Framework and SafeSport Clearance enhancements.

All revisions will be communicated promptly to partners and staff.

US Soccer : https://www.ussoccer.com/safeguarding

US Club Soccer: https://usclubsoccer.org/safeguardingandcompliance/

U.S. Center for SafeSport : https://uscenterforsafesport.org/