Age Groups

This is the word-for-word direct quote from the Laws of the Game used worldwide:

All jewelry must be removed before a player can be on the field. It is best to have piercings after the season is over, so that the ears have healed and the earrings can be safely removed before play.

• Player not yet assigned to a team? Send the individual player or coach ID (format: 90128-966763).
• Player already assigned to a team? Just send the Team ID. I will clear up anyone with flagged records on that team — players and admins. I can see all issues from the team roster page. No individual names or ID numbers needed.

Head & Shoulders ONLY. Required for everyone on the roster — Players, Coaches, Managers. Tell parents to upload a headshot, just like a driver's license.

• Not a shot of the whole family where we can't tell who is who.
• Not a receipt photo accidentally scrolled to. Choose carefully.
• Not a shot of the player's back — must clearly show their face.

Registrars must use the cropping tools to select just the head and shoulders if needed. If we reject a photo, it is removed so the slot is empty for a correct photo to be uploaded.

Required for Coaches, Team Admins, and players who have already turned 18.

• SafeSport — How-To Screenshots docs.google.com — Safesport screenshots: how to
• SafeSport for 17-Year-Old Players cjsa.org/safesport-training(go to 3rd bullet for how a 17-year-old can take SafeSport)

When they complete the course, have them download the PDF certificate of completion and upload it to their record in Sports Connect. Screenshots of the completion message will not suffice — we need the PDF.

• Background Check Portal cjsa-jdp.sportsaffinity.com

Important — this is a 2-step process:

Should clear in 3–5 days after Step 2 is completed.

Players without a US or State-issued Proof of Age document may need to complete the International Clearance process. But first, check if they have any of the following — all are acceptable as Proof of Age:

1. US Passport. Tip: if they provided a US Consulate-issued Proof of Age, they are a US citizen and must have a US Passport.
2. US Visa. Tip: if the child is here due to a parent's international job transfer, everyone in the family will have a Visa.
3. US Permanent Resident ID (Green Card)
4. US Employment Authorization Card
5. US State Department Parole Declaration (emergency travel papers for refugees — does not mean they are on parole from jail)
6. State-issued Driver's License or ID Card (works for older players, typically spring HS travel league)
7. Court-issued adoption certificate

If none of the above apply, upload the foreign birth certificate and then complete the ITC process:

• International Clearance — Start ITC Process cjsa.org/international-clearance — click "Club Registrars – Start ITC Process"

After about a week, CJSA will email you with the following questions. Use these stock answers:

• What is the current level for this player in league play? → Recreational / Travel / Premier (whichever applies)
• Does this player play regularly out of state and/or on a national scope team? → NO
• Does this player anticipate playing on a national-level team? → NO

If a player's name shows with a red "OS" on the roster, you must clear the issue or obtain an OOS approval from Eastern NY Soccer. Quick fixes — go to the Parents tab and check which address is marked as Primary:

1. Recently moved to CT and still using the old address? Have them update to a CT address.
2. Weekend house in CT but primary address listed as NYC? Switch to the CT address.
3. No address checked as Primary? The system can't determine where they live. Choose the CT address as Primary.
4. One parent lives in CT, one in NY? Check the CT resident as Primary — the OOS mark will disappear.
5. None of the above apply? Follow the OOS registration process below.

• Out-of-State Registration (Eastern NY) enysoccer.com/out-of-state-registration

Parents complete the form and pay the fee (~$25). They will receive a confirmation on screen and by email — it will be a GOT Soccer form. Have them forward the screenshot or email to their club registrar, who will forward to CJSA. Typically processed once a week.

• Individual (Player, Coach, Team Admin) — inquiries about photos, Proof of Age, SafeSport, background checks, etc.: provide the Sports Connect ID, which looks like this: 90128-966763(5 digits – 6 digits)
• Team-related inquiries — adding players, activation/deactivation requests, etc.: provide the Team ID, which looks like this: OGRCC 2013 Thunder Blue SW0I-01CB13-0008
• If a player is already assigned to a team, provide the Team ID and player name — I can find them through the team tab. If the player is not yet assigned to a team, provide the player ID.

Games — scheduling, rescheduling due to rain outs, posting scores: provide (1) the Game ID, which looks like this: 59409(5 digits), and (2) the flight the team plays in(e.g., U9 Boys C1 flight).

• Sports Connect General Club Admin Support stacksports.my.site.com — Club Admin Home
  Sections on Registration, Teams and Schedules particularly pertinent.
• CJSA-Specific Sports Connect Support stacksports.my.site.com — CJSA Page
• Game Times & Fields — Initial Entry at Start of Season Google Drive — Schedule Entry Guide
  As long as the initial schedule offer falls within Prime Time, no acceptance from the opposing team is required.

Top topics in Sports Connect:

• Players, Coaches & Teams tab: Games & Schedules (accept schedules, enter scores) · Teams & Rosters (update jersey numbers)
• League & Club Management tab: Print an official roster, apply to a tournament, upload documents for players/admins/coaches

Share these links with your team managers:

• Match Schedules & Opponent Contact Info Guide docs.google.com — Schedule & Contacts Guide
  How to see where and when matches are scheduled and get contact info for opponents.
• How to Enter Scores stacksports.my.site.com — Entering Scores & Stats
• How to Find Opponent Contact Info Google Drive — Opponent Contact Guide
• Rescheduling a Game During the Season Google Drive — Reschedule Guide
  Acceptance by opposing team manager required.
• How to Add Player Jersey Numbers stacksports.my.site.com — Update Jersey Numbers
  Required by CJSA. Jersey numbers can be added at any time — even when the roster is Activated. The roster does not need to be deactivated first.

• Process rosters and passes through Club Registrar
• Secure fields and referees through Club or Town Assignors for home matches
• Coordinate match times and locations with opponents — directions to fields; keep a record of exchanges with opponents

• Notify opponents and referees (timely) regarding field closures
• Assist in field preparation — secure goals, nets, and corner flags
• Present passes and roster to referee at each match (referee keeps the roster; make many copies)
• Confirm match length & rules with referee prior to match
• Pay the referee prior to the match
• Report scores for home games
• Do not enter the field of play without referee permission

All matches between teams from separate clubs must meet these requirements:

• All players, managers, and coaches must have current passes — laminated and stamped by the District.
• All teams must have current rosters approved by the District listing all players, coaches, and managers.
• Both passes and rosters must be presented to the referee prior to kick-off. The referee will keep the rosters. If passes or rosters are lost or missing, the team and coaches may sign in per the District sign-in policy.
• A referee with current-year USSF certification must officiate throughout the match.
• Only persons whose names appear on rosters are permitted on the players' side of the field. All others are considered spectators and are restricted to the opposite sideline. No one is allowed behind the goal lines.

Head coaches are fully responsible for the actions of spectators and other team administrators.

When in the opinion of the referee spectators become disruptive, the referee may suspend the match and request that the coach or coaches speak to their respective spectators. Coaches are required to do this — it is not the referee's responsibility. Their responsibility is to focus on the players and the action on the field. If the referee is unsatisfied that calm is restored or believes that fair play is unlikely to resume, he/she may abandon the match and must file a report with the District. An investigation will follow and appropriate action will be taken.

Coaches and all other team administrators are prohibited from expressing dissent with referee calls or non-calls. Referees are instructed to sanction coaches who interfere with their ability to focus on play. Those sanctions include cautions and dismissals.

• Protests about referee qualifications, field conditions, and rosters must be made prior to the start of the match.
• You cannot dispute referee judgment — only misapplication of the Laws of the Game.
• If the safety of players is jeopardized, withdraw from the field.

Coaches are responsible for the safety of their players. In the event that a coach believes their players are not adequately protected from unsafe play or conditions, he/she is entitled to withdraw the team from the field of play. The referee must file a report with the District and an investigation will follow.

For the 2026–27 season, coaches and team managers are treated as staff members in PlayMetrics. Based on CJSA's current PlayMetrics onboarding requirements, the certification requirements are the same for both roles.

CJSA specifically states that after staff are imported, the individual receives an email and must log into PlayMetrics and complete their risk-management submission. This includes completing a background screening when needed and providing proof of any other required items.

The three explicit CJSA 2026–27 staff verification requirements are:

1. Member Photo — club verified; expires every 5 years
2. Background Check — governing-body verified; expires every 2 years
3. SafeSport — governing-body verified; expires every year