Youth sports is a fun way for many kids to get involved in an activity that helps them learn teamwork and get exercise.
However, managing a youth sports team comes with a fair share of risks. As a manager of such teams, you have a responsibility for the safety and protection of other peoples’ children. There’s always a chance that a sporting event could cause the children to get injured or face other damages.
In most cases, youth sports teams carry several forms of insurance to help them protect the team in case the children suffer damages. In fact, there are laws that govern how managers of youth sports must insure and keep track of the team.
It should be a team manager’s first priority to ensure the team’s safety.
When managing a team, keep these tips in mind that will keep youth participants safe.
- Ensure that participants have the necessary safety and health qualifications to participate in the sport. Many areas require youth sports participants to undergo health screenings before they sign up to play. This helps ensure that a player is healthy, and can let managers know about any health conditions a player faces.
- You may have to carry certain waivers for your team. These waivers often acknowledge a player’s permission to participate in the sport. They may also note that a player assumes certain risks and responsibilities when playing. This can protect the player’s rights. It can also give the team some protection from unfair insurance claims due to player damages. These waivers should strictly lay out the rights and responsibilities of both the players and the managers.
- Make sure that you know who is ultimately responsible for the player’s welfare. This is usually a parent or legal guardian. Usually, you cannot release your players to anyone but their guardians. Seek the involvement and attention of all parents and guardians associated with the players.
- Keep an emergency dossier on players that contains contact information for guardians, medical needs, and permission waivers. A comprehensive dossier will help you have fast, easy access to information in case of emergencies.
- When traveling, implement all required protections to get players to and from destinations safely. You have to keep an eye on players, equipment and any methods of transportation. Use only reliable, sanctioned means of transportation for your players.
- Only hire team professionals that have a trustworthy reputation. You should never allow people to engage with the team who have questionable or criminal backgrounds. These may impact the safety of the entire team.
- Encourage a safe environment that allows the team to have fun and work together in a friendly way.
Importantly, keep proper insurance on the team. You might consider travel insurance, player injury insurance, and certain forms of liability insurance. Various insurance plans can potentially help your sports team in case a youth player experiences a loss or injury.
Get in touch with us today for a fast, free youth sports insurance quote. Call us at (800) 247-1734. for more information.