Coach Waivers

1. Coaching Mission and Standards

• Prioritize athlete safety, enjoyment, skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, self-discipline, and long-term growth ahead of short-term results.
• Model honesty, reliability, humility, respect, appropriate self-control, and gracious behavior in both victory and defeat.
• Know and teach current league rules and age-appropriate skills. Promote safe, organized practices and fair competition; avoid cheating or knowingly exploiting ineligible players.

2. Inclusion, Equity & Respectful Language

• Inclusive culture. Welcome athletes and families of differing backgrounds, abilities, experiences, languages, identities, and beliefs. Do not demean or single out participants based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sex, disability, or other characteristic protected by law.
• No discriminatory or exclusionary language. Prohibit slurs, derogatory jokes, stereotypes, taunts, intentionally humiliating nicknames, and remarks that a participant does not belong. Redirect player language promptly and constructively.
• Fair access. Apply team standards consistently; give each child meaningful instruction and development opportunities consistent with league playing-time rules, safety, readiness, and program requirements. Do not promise equal playing time unless league rules require it.
• Accommodation. Refer disability-related or religious accommodation requests to UAL Sports (proposed name: Rise Athletic Outreach) or Ultimate Athletic League leadership promptly. Maintain confidentiality and do not unilaterally deny participation where accommodation review is appropriate.
• Respectful beliefs. Do not pressure athletes to adopt personal political, religious, or ideological positions. Maintain a climate of civility in which disagreement never becomes harassment or exclusion.

3. Anti-Bullying, Hazing, Abuse & Retaliation

• Never bully, threaten, shame, mock, intimidate, or use degrading or fear-based coaching. Prohibit hazing, initiation rituals, scapegoating, and intentional isolation of a player.
• Intervene appropriately when bullying or discriminatory behavior occurs, document significant incidents, and notify league leadership promptly.
• No physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, or online abuse; no corporal punishment, sexualized jokes, grooming, or inappropriate relationships with minors.
• No retaliation against players, parents, staff, or volunteers who raise concerns or cooperate with a review.

4. Safeguarding and Boundaries with Minors

• Complete any required background screening, child-protection training, and league onboarding before assuming an eligible coaching role; disclose circumstances required by league policy.
• Keep adult-minor interactions observable and interruptible. Avoid isolated, one-on-one meetings, private transportation, private overnight accommodations, and unnecessary physical contact. Obtain advance written League authorization for any limited exceptions permitted by policy.
• Use League-approved communications; include a parent/guardian or another screened adult on individual messages to a minor. Do not use disappearing-message apps or secret conversations with players.
• No private gifts, favoritism linked to personal relationships, or requests for secrets. Never photograph minors in changing areas or share their personal or medical information without authorization.
• Report suspected abuse or misconduct immediately through the League’s safeguarding procedure and to authorities where required; preserve available evidence and do not personally investigate.

5. Athlete Health and Physical Safety

• Use age-appropriate drills, hydration and rest practices, equipment checks, and field safety precautions. Stop activities when dangerous conditions arise.
• Never pressure a player to continue through injury or illness. Follow League concussion recognition, removal-from-play, medical clearance, and return-to-play rules.
• Know emergency procedures, attendance, relevant disclosed medical limitations, and how to obtain emergency help; share health details only with those who need to know.
• Do not permit dangerous play, deliberate injury, retaliation, or unsafe drills as punishment.

6. Game Conduct and Officiating

• Treat opposing teams, officials, families, players, event staff, and other coaches with respect. Do not confront officials, use profanity, threaten, or encourage unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Follow current NFL FLAG and League playing rules, eligibility rules, roster requirements, and league-specific participation standards.
• Direct legitimate questions about rulings or game administration through authorized channels; comply with event staff instructions.
• Help de-escalate spectator misconduct and notify league staff when additional intervention is needed.

7. Coaching Methods, Discipline & Team Management

• Provide clear instruction, positive reinforcement, balanced feedback, and consequences that teach rather than humiliate.
• Do not deny water, medical care, reasonable restroom access, or necessary accommodations as punishment.
• Apply written team standards consistently and document major behavioral incidents. Consult League leadership before imposing season-long exclusion or other major disciplinary action.
• No recruitment or team selection tactics involving deception, discriminatory exclusion, retaliation, or prohibited inducements.

8. Professional Boundaries, Conflicts & Integrity

• No alcohol, illegal drugs, intoxication, tobacco/vaping around participants, or prohibited weapons during youth activities; comply with facility policy.
• Disclose conflicts of interest, including financial arrangements or personal relationships that could influence selections, discipline, or purchasing decisions.
• Protect League equipment, facilities, uniforms, records, confidential information, and participant data. Return issued equipment when requested.
• Do not use a coaching role for unauthorized fundraising, marketing, solicitation, private business promotion, or preferential treatment.

9. Family Communications and Online Behavior

• Communicate league logistics and team expectations clearly, using approved channels. Never retaliate against a child because of a parent’s disagreement.
• Do not share confidential team records, athlete health information, roster data, or identifying media without authorization.
• Avoid social media content that insults, mocks, targets, or humiliates players, referees, coaches, or families. Forward significant online threats to League leadership.

10. Reporting, Investigation & Consequences

• Report serious safety matters immediately to the appropriate authority and the designated League safeguarding lead; do not delay legal reporting obligations pending internal approval.
• Cooperate honestly with League reviews, maintain reasonable confidentiality, preserve evidence, and avoid retaliation or witness interference.
• UAL Sports, through its authorized league administrators, may use coaching reminders, retraining, written warnings, supervised coaching, removal from a game, temporary suspension, season removal, or permanent loss of coaching privileges depending on the facts.
• Immediate temporary removal may be imposed during investigation where reasonably needed for safety; final action should provide notice of the concern, an opportunity to respond where appropriate, and review by an uninvolved decision-maker.
• UAL Sports (proposed name: Rise Athletic Outreach) and Ultimate Athletic League will apply this Code together with relevant safeguarding, eligibility, refund, and league policies and applicable law. This Code does not diminish legally protected rights.

1. PERMISSION TO PARTICIPATE 

I certify that I (i) am being allowed to participate as a coach in the NFL FLAG program, including local league games and practices, camps, clinics, showcases, and regional, open, and national tournament(s) (the “Program”), as part of an NFL FLAG Football league operated by UAL Sports, a nonprofit organization (“UAL Sports”); (ii) am of legal age and am freely signing this Coach Participation Agreement without any inducement or assurance of any nature; and (iii) have read this Coach Participation Agreement and understand that, by signing this Coach Participation Agreement, I may be giving up certain legal rights and remedies. I agree that the terms and conditions of this Coach Participation Agreement are binding. 

2. COVID-19 ASSUMPTION OF RISK 

I understand and acknowledge that the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death. The virus is believed to spread primarily between individuals who are in close contact with each other and may also spread by contact with contaminated surfaces. 

I understand and acknowledge that the Program has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19; however, I understand that the Program cannot guarantee that I will not be exposed to or contract COVID-19. By participating in the Program, I knowingly and voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure, illness, injury, or death. 

3. RELEASE OF LIABILITY 

I understand that participation involves inherent risks, including but not limited to injury, illness, permanent disability, or death. I voluntarily accept and assume all such risks. 

I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from my participation in the Program. 

RELEASE OF LIABILITY. In return for me being allowed to participate in the Program, I, on behalf of myself, and each of the other Releasors (as defined below), hereby release and agree not to sue UAL Sports (the nonprofit program organization, “UAL Sports”), Ultimate Athletic League (the separate operations provider), the National Football League (collectively with the other NFL affiliates, “NFL”), its thirty-two professional football member clubs, NFL Properties LLC, NFL Ventures, L.P., the National Football League Foundation, each of their respective affiliates and each of the employees, officers, directors, direct and indirect owners, sub-contractors, business partners, league operators, management companies, administrative service providers, sponsors, and agents of each of the foregoing entities (collectively, the "Releasees") from or for, as applicable, all present and future liabilities, claims and causes of action of any kind, whether at law or in equity, that may be made by me, my family, estate, heirs or assigns (collectively, the “Releasors”) arising as a result of or in connection with the my participation in the Program, wherever, whenever, or however the same may occur, including but not limited to actions for property damage, personal injury, illness, permanent disability or wrongful death, including without limitation such property damage, personal injury, illness, permanent disability or wrongful death arising from the direct or indirect exposure to or contracting of COVID-19 or any other contagious or infectious disease or virus. I understand and agree that the Releasees are not responsible for any death, injury or property damage arising out of the Program, even if caused by their ordinary negligence. This release does not apply to liability arising from the Releasees' gross negligence, recklessness, or willful or wanton misconduct, to the extent such liability cannot be released as a matter of applicable law. I understand that participation in the Program involves certain risks, including, but not limited to, concussion, serious injury, death or permanent disability, as well as the risks described above in Section 2. I am voluntarily participating in the Program with knowledge of the dangers involved and agree to accept all risks of such participation. I certify that I am in excellent physical health and may participate in strenuous and hazardous physical activities, including coaching the football to be played in the Program. 

I agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Releasees from and against any and all third-party claims, demands, causes of action, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs) arising out of or relating to (i) my acts or omissions in connection with the Program, (ii) my violation of this Agreement, (iii) my violation of any applicable law, rule, or regulation, or (iv) my negligent, reckless, or intentional misconduct. 

I understand that this release and indemnification is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the state in which the Program is taking place and agree that if any portion of this Coach Participation Agreement is invalid, the remainder will continue in full legal force and effect. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, I shall have no obligation to indemnify any Releasee to the extent a claim results from such Releasee's gross negligence, reckless conduct, or willful misconduct, to the extent such liability cannot be released or limited as a matter of applicable law. 

4. PROGRAM ROLE ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

I understand that my role as a coach is to support the mission and programming of UAL Sports, and to help provide a positive and safe experience for participating athletes. 

I acknowledge that I am serving as a volunteer coach for UAL Sports, that this is an unpaid, non-compensated role, and that it is not intended to create an employment or independent contractor relationship. I understand that, as a volunteer, my conduct in this role may be subject to the legal protections and limitations applicable to volunteers under applicable state laws and, where applicable, the federal Volunteer Protection Act (42 U.S.C. § 14501 et seq.). Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as creating an employment, agency, partnership, joint venture, or independent contractor relationship between the Coach and UAL Sports or Ultimate Athletic League. 

I understand that Ultimate Athletic League is a separate company that may provide contracted administration, coaching coordination, scheduling, staffing, and other league operational services to UAL Sports under a services agreement. The two organizations remain legally distinct. 

UAL Sports, acting through its authorized representatives and, where delegated, Ultimate Athletic League, reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to suspend, remove, or terminate my participation as a coach in the Program at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without cause, and with or without prior notice. I understand and agree that my role as a volunteer coach is not guaranteed for any season, term, or duration, and that UAL Sports' decision to suspend, remove, or terminate my participation shall be final and is not subject to appeal. 

I agree to comply with all UAL Sports league rules, policies, codes of conduct, and other governing documents applicable to coaches, whether now existing or adopted in the future, and as amended from time to time. I understand that such rules, policies, codes of conduct, and governing documents are incorporated into this Coach Participation Agreement by this reference, and that violation of any of them may result in suspension or termination of my participation as a coach, consistent with this Section 4. 

5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 

I hereby acknowledge and agree, that UAL Sports exclusively and in perpetuity owns and controls any and all rights to video tape, broadcast, telecast, film, exhibit, distribute, photograph, exploit, record, print or otherwise reproduce, and any and all rights to authorize others to do so, any film, audio, depiction, audio-visual, video, image, statistic, data (of any kind), photo or sound arising from, related to or during any Program event (the “Works”) in any manner whatsoever, alone or in composite and/or conjunction with other materials, in any and all media, whether now known or hereafter devised (“Media”), in or by any manner, method or device (whether now known or hereafter devised), and all other rights, privileges, benefits, matters and things incident to or arising out of all or any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, for any and all commercial purposes, including for purposes of advertising and promoting the Program. 

I hereby grant to UAL Sports, Ultimate Athletic League, and the other Releasees the exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free, irrevocable, fully-paid up, worldwide right to use, exhibit, edit, disseminate, display, reproduce, print, publish, publicly perform and make any other uses of my image, name, sobriquet, marks, logos, voice, movements, gestures, actions, persona, signature, likeness, uniform, biomaterial, biographical material and other indicia and attributes of me, in any manner whatsoever, alone or in composite and/or conjunction with any other materials, on, via or through any and all Media, in connection with, related to or for any purpose of: (i) any of the rights to the Works described in the foregoing paragraph; (ii) any advertising, promotion, publicity, operation or exploitation of Releasors or the Program and (iii) on the Website (as defined below) in connection with any postings of team rosters or game stories. 

For purposes of this Agreement, "Website" means any website, online platform, or registration, scheduling, communication, payment, or league management system now or hereafter operated by, or used on behalf of, UAL Sports or Ultimate Athletic League in connection with the Program, including without limitation NFLFLAG.com. 

6. EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT 

Permission is hereby granted for me to receive any and all emergency medical/dental treatment and/or first aid, including authorizing any medical treatment facility/hospital to administer emergency treatment for any illness, injury or accident resulting from participation in the Program. 

In addition, I hereby authorize, give permission and voluntarily consent to having UAL Sports, Ultimate Athletic League, and medical and athletic training providers appointed by UAL Sports and their respective employees or agents to arrange, direct, sign for and consent to all routine or emergency medical care and treatment necessary to preserve my health in the event of accident, injury, sickness, etc. during participation in the Program. I acknowledge responsibility for reasonable charges in connection with the care and treatment rendered. I agree to the release of any medical records necessary for insurance purposes. I further acknowledge that UAL Sports and medical and athletic training providers appointed by UAL Sports have not made any guarantees as to the effect of such care and treatment rendered. 

7. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES 

I understand that participation in the Program is at my own risk. The Program is provided “as is” and without warranties of any kind. Neither UAL Sports nor Ultimate Athletic League guarantees safety, uninterrupted operations, or error-free administration. 

8. INDEMNIFICATION 

I agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Releasees from and against any and all third-party claims, demands, actions, proceedings, liabilities, damages, judgments, settlements, losses, fines, penalties, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, arising out of or relating to: 

(a) my participation in the Program (including without limitation in connection with any medical treatment offered or given to me) 

(b) my breach of this Agreement; 

(c) my violation of any applicable law, rule, regulation, league policy, code of conduct, or the NFL FLAG Football Terms of Service

(d) my use of any Program website, portal, registration platform, or online services; 

(e) any injury, damage, or loss caused by my negligent, reckless, or intentional acts or omissions; or 

(f) any claim brought by a third party arising from my conduct in connection with the Program. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, I shall have no obligation to indemnify any Releasee to the extent a claim results from such Releasee's gross negligence, reckless conduct, or willful misconduct, to the extent such liability cannot be released as a matter of applicable law. 

9. APPLICABLE LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION 

This Coach Participation Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State in which the Program is taking place, excluding its conflict of law rules. I expressly consent and agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the United States District Court for the District in which the Program is taking place or, for matters not susceptible of adjudication in the federal courts, the courts of the State of and county in which the Program is taking place, in all disputes arising out of or relating to this Coach Participation Agreement. 

10. SEVERABILITY 

I further expressly agree that this Coach Participation Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by law and that if any provision of this Coach Participation Agreement shall be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from this Coach Participation Agreement and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions. 

11. USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION 

UAL Sports may use personal information for program administration, communication, and promotional purposes in accordance with applicable privacy policies. 

12. NO USE OF MARKS 

I understand that I shall have no right to use any of the NFL Marks (as defined below) or any of the Organization Marks (as defined below) for any purpose whatsoever without the prior written approval of the Releasees in each instance (such approval to be granted or withheld in the Releasees’ sole discretion after a formal logo request process has been initiated by me). For the purposes of this Agreement, “NFL Marks” means the names, symbols, emblems, designs, and colors of the National Football League and the Member Clubs, including, without limitation, the terms “National Football League”, “NFL”, “National Football Conference”, “American Football Conference”, “NFC”, “AFC”, “Super Bowl”, “Pro Bowl”, the NFL Shield design, the NFL FLAG Football trademarks and the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick trademarks, as well as the full team names, nicknames, helmet designs, uniform designs, logos and slogans of the Member Clubs, and any other indicia adopted for commercial purposes by the NFL or any of its Member Clubs. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Organization Marks” means the separate names, logos, symbols, emblems, and designs owned or controlled by UAL Sports or Ultimate Athletic League, respectively, and their authorized indicia used for the Program. I acknowledge and agree that all right, title and interest in and to the NFL Marks and Organization Marks belong to their respective rights holders. I agree that the NFL Marks and Organization Marks possess a special, unique and extraordinary character that makes difficult the assessment of the monetary damage that would be sustained by their unauthorized use. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, I recognize that irreparable injury would be caused by the unauthorized use of any of the NFL Marks or Organization Marks, and agree that injunctive and other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction would be appropriate in the event of such unauthorized use, and that such remedy would not be exclusive of other legal remedies. I recognize that the great value and goodwill associated with the NFL Marks and Organization Marks belong to the respective rights holders and that such marks have secondary meaning. 

13. BACKGROUND CHECK AUTHORIZATION 

I authorize UAL Sports and Ultimate Athletic League, as applicable to their respective program oversight and operational roles, or their designated screening provider, to conduct a criminal history and sex-offender registry background check on me in connection with my participation as a coach in the Program, and to repeat such checks periodically as the program administrators deem necessary and as permitted by law. I understand that UAL Sports or Ultimate Athletic League, acting within its authorized responsibilities, may decline to permit, or may discontinue, my participation as a coach based on the results of any such check. 

14. WASHINGTON WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

I understand that, as a volunteer, I am not considered an employee for purposes of workers’ compensation coverage unless specifically provided by applicable law or separate insurance. 

I acknowledge that I am responsible for my own medical coverage and that the Program does not guarantee workers’ compensation benefits. 

15. SURVIVAL 

The provisions of this Coach Participation Agreement relating to release of liability, assumption of risk, indemnification, intellectual property rights, publicity rights, limitation of liability, dispute resolution, governing law, venue, and any other provisions which by their nature are intended to survive shall survive the termination, completion, or expiration of my participation as a coach in the Program, or the termination of this Agreement for any reason, and shall remain in full force and effect indefinitely to the fullest extent permitted by law. 

1. Organizational Responsibilities and Scope

UAL Sports (the “Program Sponsor”) currently offers the youth sports programs covered by this Agreement and proposes to change its legal name to Rise Athletic Outreach, Inc. Until legally effective, UAL Sports remains the current name; the proposed name refers to the same continuing organization, not another entity. Ultimate Athletic League (the “League Operator”) separately provides contracted league operations. Together, they are called the “League Parties” solely for this Agreement; that phrase does not combine their separate legal identities.

This Agreement applies to every coach, assistant, employee, volunteer, team manager, contractor, event worker, and other adult with authorized youth contact, whether during practices, games, camps, tournaments, transportation, travel, facilities, or electronic communications. Athletes’ physical and emotional safety overrides athletic performance or competitive interests.

2. Mandatory Recruitment, Screening and Eligibility

• Before access to children, applicants must complete a truthful application, provide legally requested identity information and relevant employment/volunteer history, disclose relevant convictions as lawfully requested, and sign separate written background-screening authorizations when required.
• The League Parties shall use a qualified independent provider to conduct position-appropriate criminal history and sex offender registry checks, with additional checks and periodic rescreening as justified by role, policy, and law.
• Written screening criteria will address disqualifying offenses, safeguarding risks, individualized assessment where required, and legally required notices, adverse-action procedures and appeals. Adults presenting unacceptable youth-safety risk will not be approved.
• Screening and application information is confidential; only designated personnel may access it. Records must be stored securely, kept only as needed, and handled according to applicable law.
• No adult may begin covered youth-contact duties until clearance, mandatory safeguarding training, and required policy acknowledgments are complete. Screening clearance does not replace supervision.

3. Recognizing Grooming and Boundary Testing

Grooming is conduct through which an individual cultivates trust, dependence, secrecy or access to facilitate exploitation or abuse. It may involve gradual escalation rather than one obvious incident. Every covered adult must recognize and report suspicious patterns, without waiting for proof of contact abuse.

• Targeting a child perceived as isolated or in need of attention, resources, transportation or support.
• Providing disproportionate gifts, money, favors, rides, private lessons, emotional attention or special privileges to establish an exclusive relationship.
• Gaining unusual access or trust with parents, caregivers, teammates or administrators; creating opportunities to be alone with a child.
• Normalizing secrecy, private messaging, explicit conversations, intimate photos, pornography, tickling, wrestling, massages or progressively intrusive physical contact.
• Using guilt, threats, blame, embarrassment or intimidation to discourage disclosure.

4. Prohibited Sexual Conduct and Exploitation

There is zero tolerance for sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, grooming or any adult–minor sexual relationship, regardless of perceived consent or whether criminal charges have been filed. Prohibited conduct includes:

• Any sexual contact, genital contact, touching intimate areas, fondling, sexual penetration, sexual assault, or exchanging sport-related rewards, advancement, roster positions, or favors for sexual activity.
• Sexualized touching, lingering or repeated unwelcome embraces, voyeurism, exposure, sexualized tickling or wrestling, massages outside formally approved health care, or any contact that violates a child’s boundaries.
• Sexual jokes, innuendo, questions about a child’s sexual activity, adult disclosures about personal sex life, pornography, sexting, sexualized chats or comments.
• Requesting, creating, sending, storing or distributing nude, partially undressed, intimate or sexually explicit images of a minor; using unauthorized photography or recording in private areas.
• Any secrecy, coercion, retaliation, grooming or attempts to interfere with a report of sexual misconduct.

5. Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse and Unsafe Discipline

• Physical abuse is prohibited, including punching, slapping, choking, biting, striking, intentionally injuring, throwing equipment at a child, or requiring painful positions or humiliating physical exercise unrelated to legitimate instruction.
• No adult may withhold adequate drinking water, food, medical care, necessary rest, bathroom access or reasonably required accommodations as punishment.
• Never provide alcohol, unlawful substances or unauthorized medications to minors, or pressure ill/injured athletes to continue or return without required clearance.
• Emotional abuse includes repeated belittling, degrading names, humiliation, intimidation, threatening conduct, aggressive object throwing, deliberate exclusion, and coercive punishment.
• Reasonable age-appropriate instruction, consistent discipline and legitimate safety intervention must never be used as a pretext for abuse.

6. Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, Hazing and Retaliation

Bullying can be physical, verbal, social or digital, including persistent or severe humiliation, threats, discriminatory attacks, rumor campaigns, social exclusion or intimidation. Adults who witness or reasonably learn of athlete-on-athlete bullying must intervene safely and report it. Hazing, including coerced initiation rituals, degradation, intimidation or harmful acts framed as traditions, is prohibited even if a child appears to consent. Discrimination, harassment and retaliation against participants, families, witnesses or good-faith reporters are prohibited.

7. Two-Adult Leadership and Observable Interactions

• The standard is at least two screened, authorized adults for youth activities whenever practicable; all adult–minor interactions must be observable and interruptible. An unrelated adult must not deliberately isolate a minor.
• No routine closed-door private meeting, one-on-one unsupervised instruction in secluded areas, secret relationship, inappropriate touching or private gift arrangement.
• Where emergency, disability-related support or permitted medical attention requires an exception, use the minimum necessary contact, notify a guardian and supervisor as practical, and promptly document the circumstances.
• Restroom, changing area and locker room supervision must protect dignity and privacy; never photograph or record minors in changing areas.

8. Digital Communications and Media Safeguards

• Communications with athletes must be limited to legitimate league activities and use approved platforms. Include a parent or another authorized adult in individual messages whenever feasible.
• No disappearing-message services, secret accounts, personal solicitations, private late-night discussions unrelated to activities, sexually suggestive material or requests for passwords.
• Do not publish minor athlete personal information, images, medical data or contact details without appropriate authorization and adherence to the League’s privacy and media policies.
• Preserve concerning digital communications and promptly report boundary violations.

9. Transportation, Pickup, Travel and Overnight Activities

• Private one-on-one transportation of an unrelated minor by a coach or staff member is strongly discouraged and requires advance operational approval and guardian consent where feasible; emergencies must be reported and documented.
• Use documented pickup and release procedures and respect verified custody restrictions; do not assume personal authority to resolve custody disputes.
• Unrelated adults must not share sleeping quarters with minor participants. Travel plans must include appropriate age- and privacy-conscious rooming, suitably screened chaperones, and written guardian permission.
• Document travel itineraries, emergency contacts, supervision assignments, and boundaries for private meetings and communications.

10. Recognizing, Responding to and Reporting Abuse

If a child is in immediate danger or requires emergency treatment, call 911 (or local emergency services). If abuse or neglect is suspected, the person with a reporting duty must make a direct report to the appropriate child protective services or law enforcement agency promptly, within the deadline required by the law of the location. A supervisor notification does not substitute for an external mandatory report; there is no universal 24-hour legal deadline.

• Promptly notify the designated League safeguarding officer in addition to any legally required external report, without waiting for internal approval. Report grooming, boundary violations, bullying and other serious concerns through the approved channel.
• Listen calmly, protect immediate safety, and document the child’s statements and objective observations accurately. Do not promise secrecy, repeatedly interrogate, investigate independently, or confront an accused individual.
• Preserve evidence, including dates, communications and witness information, while protecting confidentiality. Refer criminal investigations to public authorities.
• An accused adult may be temporarily suspended or reassigned away from youth contact while the concern is reviewed; interim action is protective and does not prejudge guilt.
• Retaliation, interference with witnesses and deliberately false reports are prohibited. Good-faith reporters must be protected, even if allegations are not substantiated.

11. Organizational Incident Response and Record Controls

• The safeguarding lead will assess immediate safety, remove youth-contact access where appropriate, coordinate with agencies, and notify insurer/counsel when necessary under applicable reporting and coverage terms.
• Maintain restricted incident files documenting report date, facts, protective action, agency contacts, decisions and follow-up; avoid unnecessary disclosure and speculation.
• Investigate noncriminal policy complaints fairly without interfering with law-enforcement or child-protection inquiries. Provide appropriate opportunity to respond when doing so does not jeopardize safety or an investigation.
• Only designated officials may speak publicly about an active case. Protect participants’ privacy and comply with lawful disclosure and records obligations.

12. Discipline, Removal and Ongoing Compliance

Depending on severity and risk, violations may result in warnings, additional training, supervision requirements, restrictions, immediate temporary removal, permanent disqualification, employment or volunteer termination, and referral to authorities. Serious sexual misconduct or abuse may warrant immediate protective separation and permanent ineligibility after appropriate findings. Every covered adult must promptly disclose new information materially affecting screening clearance or youth-safety eligibility.

13. Required Training and Program Administration

• Complete initial and recurring abuse-prevention, grooming-recognition, youth-boundary, bullying prevention, reporting and emergency-response training assigned to the role.
• Complete state- and site-specific instruction on reporting agencies, reporting deadlines, emergency protocols, two-adult supervision, travel, social media and approved systems.
• League administrators should document signed policies, training completions, background-clearance status, audit trails, and periodic reviews.
• Annual policy review should account for operating states, insurer requirements, third-party platform configuration, and applicable sport governing rules.