Coaching Requirements

Per PAWest, all coaches, board members and volunteers must obtain clearances and complete SafeSport training. Referees and players age 18 and older must have their clearances

Clearances

The following clearances are necessary:

• PA State Police Criminal Record Check
• PA Child Abuse History Clearance
• If PA resident for at least the past 10 years: A complete and notarized volunteer affidavit
• If PA resident for less than the past 10 years: FBI Criminal Background Check (CODE: 1KG6ZJ)

SafeSport Training

Coaches must complete SafeSport training each year. There is no cost for SafeSport training.

• Sign in or create at an account here
• Enter the Enrollment Key: YC3E-6P5G-YYIL-CS2M
• Find the specific courses(s) needed
• Course 1: Safe Sports Trained - US Soccer Federation (New coaches)
• Refresher 1 - Recognizing and Reporting Misconduct - US Soccer Federation
• Refresher 2 - Preventing Misconduct - US Soccer Federation
• Refresher 3 - Creating a Positive Sports Environment - US Soccer Federation

Introductory courses will take approximately 1-2 hours to complete. Refresher courses will be completed in 30 minutes. First year coaches must complete the Safe Sports Trained course. Returning coaches must complete a refresher course each season. Additional courses may be added by US Soccer and/or PA West at their discretion.

Need help finding your course? Click here.

Coaches Training

Coaches must attend a pre-season and post season session with the Director of Coaching. All U8 coaches will receive a coaching handbook that includes lesson plans for each training session. All U9/10 and above coaches must complete Grassroots Training Courses. Courses can be taken online, in a hybrid model or in-person. PA West Soccer offers various in-person options throughout the year.

Intro to Grassroots is free and must be taken by all coaches. Additional courses are required based on age group at a cost but can be refunded by the club. Other coaching licenses accepted include D, C, B, A and Pro

How to Volunteer in Registration System (Sports Connect)

The documents obtained must be uploaded to our website content management system, Sports Connect.

1. Create an account if you do not already have one and log into the website
2. Select "Volunteer" tab from the left menu
3. Select "Find Volunteer Roles"
4. Select the appropriate program
5. Find the appropriate program and click "Sign up." Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and select "Continue."
6. Select the appropriate volunteer
7. Update all information including contact information and clearances and click "Continue."
8. You will then be added as a volunteer for the age group and NHSC will then be able to attach your contact information to your team page.

PA West Risk Assessment (Coaches Cards)

If you are coaching a travel team U9/10 and above, you must upload documentation in PA West Risk Management Program Affinity for approval.

1. Go to PA West Risk Management
2. Input your username and password
3. Click the green button to continue
4. Next to your name click the button that says Register as a Coach/Admin
5. From the drop down menu, select background check
6. Click on each box to upload the appropriate clearance
7. Click Save and next page