SafeSport Training

Safe Sport Training

NJ Youth Soccer’s Player Safety Policy was recently updated to reflect changes to US Soccer’s SafeSport framework and USSF Policy 212-3. These changes are required by the US Center for SafeSport and become effective January 1, 2022. Further, please note that these required changes apply to all US Soccer members (i.e. including US Club Soccer, SAY, and AYSO).

On February 14th, 2018, the President signed the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 which is aimed at protecting amateur athletes* from sexual abuse.

The Law has a three-pronged approach:

Any adult interacting with amateur athletes in the program has a duty to report abuse and or suspected abuse.
The statute of limitations is extended for up to 10 years after a victim realizes he or she was abused.
Limits an athlete under the age of 18 from being alone with an adult who is not their parent.

*What is an amateur athlete? Any child or minor under the age of 18. Legislation is available for download (click here).

This page provides information for each of the required categories:

All Amateur Organization Members coaches must complete the Center's "SafeSport Trained" Core Training and refresher course(s) on an annual basis.
All Amateur Organization Member board members and employees must complete the Center’s “SafeSport Trained” Core training.
All Amateur Organization Members 18-year-old and older players, on a team with minors (17 years of age or younger), to complete the "SafeSport Trained" Core training on an annual basis.
All Amateur Organization Members with minor athletes must offer the Center for SafeSport’s Parent Training on an annual basis.

General Course Access Information

The following instructions can be used for coaches, adults, and/or board members taking the training.

First-Time Registration

Please use the following instructions to create a SafeSport Trained account and access the core training.

Email [email protected] for the course link.
Complete information on “Sign Up” page.
If prompted, log in to the new account you just created.
Click on “Menu” and select “Catalog.”
Click the Start button for “SafeSport Trained – U.S. Soccer Federation” to complete the course.
Upload your certificate of completion to the NJYS Registration Platform.

Accessing the training through the link above will automatically enroll the user in US Soccer Federation’s SafeSport course offerings upon completion of the sign-up process. An “Enrollment Key” is not needed, nor provided for training access.

Annual Refresher Course

Due to the Center for SafeSport’s transition to a new training platform called Absorb in December of 2021, a new password is required. Please follow the below instructions to gain access to your SafeSport refresher trainings and course history.

Initiate the “Forgot Password” Process on the new SafeSport Platform: https://safesporttrained.org/#/forgot-password
Check your email to access the unique password reset link.
Create a new password for your SafeSport account.
Review and accept the on-screen Terms & Conditions for the software.
Click on “Menu” and select “Catalog.”
Click the Start button for the next available “SafeSport Refresher – U.S. Soccer Federation” course.
Upload your certificate of completion to the NJYS Registration Platform.

Player Training Requirement

The 2017 SafeSport Act requires all 18-year-old and older players, on a team with minors (17 years of age or younger), to complete the SafeSport Trained Core training. This training is accessible through the SafeSport Platform.

About the Requirement

Players are required to complete the training to continue participating and competing in NJYS sanctioned activities after turning 18 years old. Per SafeSport’s Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP), 17-year-old players seeking to complete the training in advance of their 18th birthday, and limit disruption to their participation, may only access to the training after submitting a signed parental consent form to NJ Youth Soccer. Additionally, the MAAPP does not permit a grace period for players that turn 18-years-old.

Implementing the Requirement through the NJYS Registration Portal

Upon completion of the training through the SafeSport platform, players must upload the certificate for verification by New Jersey Youth Soccer. Players that do not have a SafeSport certificate verified by NJ Youth Soccer one day after their 18^th birthday will be flagged within the registration system, prohibited from printing a player pass, and ‘red-lined’ on the Official State Roster.

All players, regardless of age, will have the option to upload a SafeSport certificate for verification by NJYS. To be clear, this training does not need to be completed by individuals under the age of 18.

A club’s assigned NJYS District Commissioner is primarily responsible for verifying the certificate within 72 hours of upload the NJYS State Platform. For further inquiries, please contact [email protected].

How to Access the Training

(1) Email [email protected] to receive the private course link.

a. Complete information on “Sign Up” page.
b. Click on “Menu” and select “Catalog.”
c. Click the Start button for “SafeSport Trained – U.S. Soccer Federation” to complete the course.
d. MINOR ATHLETES: A parent/guardian download and submit a signed Authorization for Minor Participation in Abuse Prevention Training to [email protected].

(2) Complete the SafeSport Core Training or Refresher Course
(3) Download the PDF Version of the SafeSport Trained Certificate
(4) Upload the Certificate to the NJYS State Platform

a. Note: Individuals under the age of 18 must log-in utilizing the parent’s account and email address. For account access assistance, please contact support at (855) 873-5357 M-F 11:30AM-8:00PM EST.
b. Log-in to the “My Account” screen
c. Select the “View Details” underneath the player’s name
d. Select the “Certificates” tab
e. Click the “SafeSport (Players 18+)” box to upload the certificate
f. Select the PDF version of the SafeSport Trained Certificate for upload
g. Click “Upload Image”

SafeSport Course Cycle

SafeSport training runs on a four-year cycle. Only one training per year needs to be completed. NJ Youth Soccer requires the training be dated January 1st, 2023 for the 2023-2024 seasonal year.

Year One: SafeSport Trained Core Course (1.5-2 hrs)
Year Two: SafeSport Core Refresher 1 Course (15-20 mins)
Year Three: SafeSport Core Refresher 2 Course (15-20 mins)
Year Four: SafeSport Core Refresher 3 Course (15-20 mins)
Year Five: SafeSport Trained Core Course (cycle repeats)

Parent & Minor Athlete Training Offerings

All Amateur Organization Members with minor athletes must offer the Center for SafeSport’s athlete training on an annual basis.

The Center’s Parent Training is available free of charge; however, an account must be created by the parent prior to accessing the course.Please follow the 'General Course Access Information' instructions on this page to create an account. Once an account is created, click here to access the Parent's Guide to Misconduct in Sport course.

Minor Athletes that wish to take SafeSport training, may only do so after submitting a signed parental consent form to NJ Youth Soccer. For instructions on completing the training as a minor, see the "Player Training Requirement" section of the website.

Adults & Board Member Training Requirement

All Amateur Organization Member board members and employees must complete the Center’s “SafeSport Trained” Core training.

The Center now requires all employees and board members of LAOs complete Center for SafeSport abuse prevention training (the “SafeSport Trained” Core), regardless of whether those individuals have regular contact with or authority over minor athletes. U.S. Soccer’s Policy requires all Amateur Organization Members, including National Association members, to comply with the training requirement.

See the "General Course Access Information" section of this website to take the course.

Report Abuse

Mandatory Reporting

All Adult Participants of NJYS are mandatory reporters of any known or suspected child abuse. All reports must be made to the appropriate law enforcement authorities within 24 hours. The abuse does not need to be confirmed. Adult Participants should never seek to conduct their own investigations.

AFTER receiving guidance and direction from law enforcement and/or the Division of Child Protection & Permanency, please also make a report online to NJYS. This will assist NJYS in taking any appropriate action.

NJYS is required to have a mechanism for all individuals (adults and minors) to report abuse (not just abuse in sexual nature as abuse can be defined as any of the prohibited behaviors outlined under Prohibited Conduct in the NJYS Safe Soccer Policy), all are encouraged to report abuse through NJYS digital compliance platform below.

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New Jersey Youth Soccer