Risk Management Resources
- Risk Management Policy
- Zero Tolerance Policy
- NYSWYSA Suspensions List
- Risk Management Correspondences
- USSF Severity of Misconduct Matrix
- US Soccer Policy 531-9 RAP Summary
- USSF Referee Abuse Policy 531-9
- USSF Referee Abuse 531-9 Penalty Matrix
- NYSWYSA Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP)
- NYSWYSA Prohibited Conduct Policy
- U.S. Soccer Safesport
- Goal Safety
2024-25 US Soccer Referee Abuse Prevention (RAP) & NYSWYSA Zero Tolerance Policy
To ALL Member League Officials, Clubs & Referees
In May of 2024 US Soccer amended Policy 531-9 – Misconduct Towards Game Officials in Amateur Matches, expanding the definitions and provisions of what constitutes both Referee Abuse & Assault. A corresponding 531-9 Penalties Matrix was issued detailing the recommended penalties for violations of 531-9. Members may find both documents in PDF format for download above.
On March 1, 2025, US Soccer issued an additional Referee Abuse Prevention (RAP) Summary which goes into greater detail and gives examples of what is defined in Policy 531-9 and the Penalty Matrix. The RAP Summary has also been added in PDF above.
In December 2024, the NYSWYSA Zero Tolerance Policy was also updated and incorporated additional elements of current US Soccer Prohibited Conduct Policy & 531-9 RAP. This document and its corresponding Penalty Matrix also appear in PDF format above.
How Does This Affect Your League, Club & Game Environments?
These updated policies, Referee Abuse Prevention (RAP) & Zero Tolerance, now require mandatory reporting and action by member Leagues, Clubs & affected Referees. Each League should have an established disciplinary and penalty/fine structure in place for policy violations and reporting.
These policies in conjunction with each other affect Players, Coaches, Staff, Volunteers, Spectators & Referees so please read all the updated documents carefully.
This reporting mechanism must include a notification to NYSWYSA of said policy violation in a timely manner. The affected League, Club or Referee District should have a specific designee who will liaison violation reporting with NYSWYSA Risk Management staff. All violation reports must be emailed directly to riskmanagement@nyswysa.org. Questions and requests for clarification should also be directed to riskmanagement@nyswysa.org.
If a member League or Club requires assistance in establishing a disciplinary and/or reporting process for their organization, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you.
NYSWYSA Risk Management Policy
To ALL Club Administrators:
UPDATE: The new RM Policy document was approved by the NYSWYSA Board of Directors on December 6, 2024 and is now available for download.
The 2025 NYSWYSA Risk Management Policy is now posted and brings our Association into full written compliance with ALL current USSF & USYS Bylaws as well as ALL current Federal & New York state legal requirements for youth soccer and Minor athletes. This includes but is not limited to the 2017 Safe Sport Authorization Act (SSAA), Model Codes of Conduct, Severity of Misconduct Matrices, USSF Bylaw 212-3, Model MAAPP Policies, Model Prohibted Conduct Policies and Safe Sport Reporting Requirements.
You can download the New RM Policy here: 2025 NYSWYSA Risk Management Policy
What does this mean for you?
Because there have been so many changes in overall Risk Management for Youth Sports since 2017, NYSWYSA will soon provide you with an updated Risk Management Policy document and respective web resources that incorporates all these changes and their impact upon you and your Clubs. The intent of this policy document is to provide you with as easy-to-use, plain language resource that is a one-stop means to ensure your Club is managing risk at the appropriate level. This new document will be announced and posted here in the near future.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out directly at riskmanagement@nyswysa.org and we will be happy to help.
Mike Kozak
NYSWYSA Risk Management Coordinator
2025 Risk Management Processing is Open
To All Club Administrators & Risk Management Personnel:
- Referees: Please Follow the Instructions Found Here
- View RM System Message Library
The 2025 Risk Management Season is ACTIVE for ALL Referees, Staff, Coaches, Managers, Volunteers & SafeSport for Players 17 turning 18, 18 and 19 years old.
It is imperative that you read System Messages regardless of when your season begins in 2025 as the process now switches seasons automatically. ALL Risk Management Requirements in GotSport have now switched to 24/25 & 25/26 categories AND following a revolving calendar year. GotSport sends automatic reminders for ALL Requirement elements as they come up for renewal.
If you are NOT receiving Risk Management SYSMSGs from the GotSport system, please check your Spam folder and re-mark them correctly. If you do not see them in Spam, send notice and correspondence ASAP to: riskmanagement@nyswysa.org.
The NEW Requirement for the USSF Introduction to Safe & Healthy Playing Environments will take effect AFTER the 2024 FALL Recreational Season. Detailed instructions will be sent in late September.
Questions, Concerns & Problems should be directed to riskmanagement@nyswysa.org.