Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer joined forces with US Soccer to deliver a comprehensive Safeguarding Workshop on Wednesday, March 20th, at the Marriott Philadelphia West in Conshohocken.
The informative session, led by Alison Kocoras (US Soccer’s Vice President of Response and Welfare) and Bria Duvall (SafeSport Coordinator), alongside Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s CEO Chris Branscome and Director of Operations Leo Kelly, addressed a range of critical topics concerning player safety.
The interactive workshop delved into essential areas such as:
- Prohibited Conduct Policy
- Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy
- Codes of Conduct
- SafeSport reporting procedures (including “when” and “how” to report)
- Severity of Misconduct Matrices
- Responsibilities of both clubs and individuals
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania clearances and compliance procedures
Attendees, including risk managers and administrators from various member organizations, actively participated in discussions and received valuable insights into current best practices and the latest interpretations of safeguarding regulations.
“Safeguarding our young players is paramount,” emphasized Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer. “This workshop provided an exceptional opportunity for attendees to gain a thorough understanding of best practices and ensure the safest possible environment for all participants in the game.”
The recommendation by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer to have member organizations send representatives reflects the importance placed on prioritizing player safety within the Eastern Pennsylvania youth soccer community.