ABUSE PREVENTION & PLAYER SAFETY

Armada Futbol Club is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and responsible environment for every player.

As part of the club’s Risk Management Program, abuse awareness is included alongside concussion and cardiac awareness. This education is designed for parents, players, coaches, team staff, and team managers so that everyone understands their responsibility in protecting young athletes.

ARMADA’S RISK MANAGEMENT APPROACH

At the beginning of each year, Armada’s Risk Management Program provides safety education for club families.

Information covering abuse awareness, concussion awareness, and cardiac awareness is also required to be presented at each team’s first parent meeting of the season.

Participating families are expected to complete and sign the required risk-management forms as well as Armada’s Parent and Player Code of Conduct.

These requirements help create a shared understanding of the standards expected throughout the club.

EDUCATION FOR COACHES & STAFF

Armada provides separate risk-management education for coaches and team staff.

During these sessions, coaches and staff review safety information provided through Tennessee State Soccer, including material covering:

• Abuse awareness

• Concussion awareness

• Cardiac awareness

• Kid Safe education

The purpose is to make sure adults working directly with players understand the club’s safety expectations and their responsibilities within the team environment.

TEAM MANAGER OVERSIGHT

Team managers also receive separate training at the beginning of the year.

As part of this training, Armada’s management coordinator and risk-management leadership provide information related to the club’s safety procedures and risk-management responsibilities.

Team managers are often parents and are regularly present around teams, practices, and games. Armada views this additional adult presence as another important level of oversight within the club.

CREATING A SAFE TEAM ENVIRONMENT

Player safety is supported by the behavior of everyone involved in the club.

Armada expects parents, coaches, players, and staff to contribute to an environment built around:

• Respect

• Responsible behavior

• Positive communication

• Sportsmanship

• Appropriate adult conduct

• Safe boundaries around players

• Accountability

The club’s Parent and Player Code of Conduct reinforces these expectations throughout training, competition, and other club activities.

EXPECTATIONS FOR PARENTS

Parents have an important role in creating a positive environment for players.

Armada asks parents to:

• Focus on encouragement rather than criticism

• Support fair play and good sportsmanship

• Treat players, coaches, referees, and other families with respect

• Reduce unnecessary pressure on young athletes

• Support the coach and the team environment

• Avoid disruptive communication with opposing teams

• Remain in designated spectator areas

• Follow club rules at practices and games

Parents are also asked not to coach players from the sideline during Armada training or competition.

EXPECTATIONS FOR PLAYERS

Armada expects players to contribute to a safe and respectful club culture.

Players are expected to:

• Respect coaches, teammates, parents, opponents, and referees

• Be good teammates

• Follow the rules of the game

• Avoid profanity

• Avoid threats or physical violence

• Show good sportsmanship

• Treat club facilities with respect

• Communicate responsibly with coaches

• Represent Armada in a positive way

These standards help protect the team environment and support every player’s development.

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR VIOLENCE & THREATS

Armada’s Player Code of Conduct states that players must not participate in physical violence or threats of physical violence before, during, or after practices or games.

Respectful behavior is expected from both players and adults.

Behavior that places another person at risk or creates an unsafe club environment may result in disciplinary action.

ADULT BEHAVIOR MATTERS

Armada emphasizes that young players learn by watching the adults around them.

Parents and adults are expected to model the same respect, responsibility, and sportsmanship that the club expects from its players.

Negative or highly critical behavior from adults can place unnecessary pressure on young athletes and can damage the positive environment the club is working to create.

REPORTING A SAFETY CONCERN

Armada’s Risk Management Plan states that the club’s risk-manager contact information is made available to club families as a resource and outlet.

Players and families should speak up when something feels unsafe, inappropriate, or inconsistent with club standards.

Concerns can be brought to:

• The club Risk Manager

• A coach

• Team management

• Club leadership

Safety concerns should be taken seriously and communicated promptly.

ARMADA RISK MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP

Armada’s old website identifies Niamh Rawlins as the club’s Risk Manager.

Her background includes work as a licensed mental health therapist as well as experience as an Armada coach and former collegiate soccer player.

Risk management and player safety are an important part of her work both professionally and within the club environment.

REQUIRED FORMS & EDUCATION

Armada requires participating families to complete the required risk-management documentation.

Families should review:

RISK MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

Review Armada’s information covering abuse awareness, concussion awareness, and cardiac awareness.

VIEW RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN →

PARENT & PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT

Parents and players should read, sign, and follow Armada’s Code of Conduct.

VIEW CODE OF CONDUCT →

KID SAFE EDUCATION

Coaches and team staff receive Kid Safe information as part of Armada’s safety education.

VIEW PLAYER SAFETY INFORMATION →

EVERY PLAYER DESERVES A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

A strong soccer environment is not defined only by results.

It is also defined by how players are treated, how adults behave, how concerns are handled, and whether young athletes feel protected and respected.

Armada Futbol Club’s Risk Management Program is designed to create clear expectations, educate families and staff, and provide a structure for raising safety concerns.

PLAYER SAFETY COMES FIRST.