Core Standards
Harassment, bullying, hazing, sexual misconduct, physical abuse, emotional abuse, grooming behavior, retaliation, discrimination, and other unsafe or abusive conduct are not permitted in club activities.
Adults working with minor athletes are expected to maintain professional boundaries and place athlete welfare ahead of competitive outcomes.
Adult-Minor Interactions
One-on-one adult/minor interactions should be observable and interruptible whenever reasonably possible. Private isolated meetings, secluded training, or unnecessary one-on-one situations with minors should be avoided.
When individual training is provided to a minor, a parent/guardian should know the time and location and should be permitted to observe or remain nearby.
Electronic Communications
Club communications with minor athletes should include a parent/guardian whenever practical. Coaches and staff should avoid secret, disappearing, sexually suggestive, or otherwise inappropriate messages with minors.
Scheduling, team logistics, and development feedback should be communicated through transparent club channels.
Transportation & Lodging
Club adults should not routinely transport an unrelated minor alone unless a parent/guardian has authorized the arrangement or an emergency makes it necessary. Overnight travel, rooming, and lodging arrangements for minors require separate written rules and parent/guardian approval before such travel occurs.
Photos, Video & Social Media
Photos or video of minor athletes should be used only for legitimate club purposes and with appropriate parent/guardian permission. The club should avoid publishing unnecessary personal details, precise schedules, home addresses, school details, or other information that could increase a minor's safety risk.
Reporting Concerns
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. Suspected child abuse or other conduct that may require mandatory reporting should be reported promptly to the appropriate law-enforcement or child-protection authority as required by law.
If Saratoga Continentals FC becomes subject to U.S. Soccer, SafeSport, league, or governing-body reporting rules, those applicable reporting and safeguarding requirements will also be followed.
Good-faith safety reports must not be retaliated against.
Before Participation
A website inquiry does not authorize participation. Before organized training, tryouts, matches, travel, or other activities, the club may require separate registration, emergency contact information, medical information where appropriate, liability and assumption-of-risk acknowledgments, concussion or injury acknowledgments, code-of-conduct acceptance, media permissions, and other program-specific documents.
Players and parents should report injuries and possible concussions immediately. A player with a suspected concussion should not return to play until appropriately evaluated and cleared consistent with applicable law, league rules, and medical guidance.
Contact
Safety concerns may be sent to info@saratogacontinentalsfc.com. This email is not an emergency service.