Coach and Manager Information


SWD Coaching Info
Southwest District · CJSA
Coaching Info
I Tips for Registrars
PLEASE MAKE SURE TO COPY KRISTIN ON ALL EMAILS. SHE CAN SOMETIMES GET TO THEM BEFORE I DO. swdregistrar@cjsa.org

For self service, many questions can be answered at our District Website: www.swdcjsa.org. Have a suggestion for something to add? Let us know.


Jewelry Policy
ALL JEWELRY IS PROHIBITED. NO EARRINGS. NO TAPE OVER EARRINGS.

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

"All items of jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands, etc.) are forbidden and must be removed. Using tape to cover jewelry is not permitted."

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.

Tip — Earring Retainers: Google "earring retainers." These are small plastic inserts used in situations where earrings must be removed (e.g., during an MRI). Very inexpensive. They are a medical device and as such are not considered jewelry. Might come in handy to have some sealed in a zip lock in your player's bag.

DISCLAIMER: The following is for informational purposes only. Consult your medical provider as appropriate.

Top Timesaving Tip for Registrars
  • 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.

Photo Requirements

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.

Note: Current photos are required when a player moves from 7v7 to 9v9 and from 9v9 to 11v11. Old photos will be deleted so new ones can be uploaded.

If the system gets hung up while uploading or times out with an error, the file is too large. Crop it down and try again, or shrink the file.

SafeSport

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

US Soccer has a very similarly named program called SAFE Soccer available on the US Soccer website — it is easy to get the two confused.

Safe + Sport= ✓ You're in the right spot.
Safe + Soccer= Excellent program, but NOT the required certification.

Some people go directly to the Safe Sport website. The generic course is available to the public for a fee. IF THEY TELL YOU THEY ARE BEING CHARGED A FEE, THEY ARE ON THE WRONG PATH. Using your Sports Connect log-in credentials via the link above, there is no charge.

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 Checks

Important — this is a 2-step process:

Step 1 Fill in basic information for an initial identity match. You will receive a "Congratulations" email confirming the match.
Step 2 Click the link in that email to authorize the actual background check. Many people miss this step — the email is poorly worded and many glance over it. Their application then sits in limbo for days.

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


International Player Clearance

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:

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

Out-of-State Players

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.
NOTE: If you must go this route, the player cannot be approved by SWD admins — it must be done by the state. Generally takes about a week by the time the NY form is filed, forwarded to CT, and approved. SWD Admin does not have rights to clear OOS players, only CJSA.

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.


Providing ID Numbers — For Fastest Service
  • 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 Links — Full Club Platform

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

Tips & Links for Team Managers

Share these links with your team managers:

II Coach & Manager Responsibilities
Before the Season
  • 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
During the Season
  • 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
Match Requirements

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.
Spectator & Referee Conduct

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.

IN MATCHES WHERE YOUTH REFEREES ARE INVOLVED, THE DISTRICT DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS OUTSIDE AND ABOVE ANY THAT OCCURRED DURING THE MATCH.
Conflicts
  • 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.

III Required Certifications
CJSA 2026–27 Requirements

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.

Requirement Coach Team Manager Verified By Renewal
Added as a Staff Member in PlayMetrics ✓ ✓ Club Each season
Member Photo ✓ ✓ Club Every 5 years
Background Check ✓ ✓ CJSA/Governing Body Every 2 years
SafeSport ✓ ✓ CJSA/Governing Body Annually
Risk Management Submission in PlayMetrics ✓ ✓ CJSA/PlayMetrics As required
Staff Verification ✓ ✓ Club/CJSA Must be complete to appear on official roster/game card
Completing the Process

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
Important for Rostering
A coach or team manager can be added/imported as staff, but only verified staff will appear on the official roster and game card. Simply putting someone on the team in the club-side PlayMetrics system is not sufficient for CJSA eligibility.
If your club is using the PlayMetrics Club → CJSA connected-system setup, you can manage team staff on the club side and the roster assignments will flow to the CJSA governing system when the teams are properly synced.