REQUIRED MANAGER/COACHES CERTIFICATIONS
As you may know, New Jersey Law 2A:62A-60 (“The Little League Law”) was created to protect volunteer youth sports coaches from personal exposure to liability law suits. To be protected by the law, coaches must participate in a “safety orientation and training skills program.” GRBA feels that it is in the best interests of the children and our volunteer managers for the managers and named coaches to attend such a course.
In addition, GRBA’s own insurance carrier requires
that all managers and named coaches be safety certified.
For these reasons, GRBA requires all managers and named coaches who have not already done so to attend the Rutgers Safety Course, which is being offered on the first Thursday of each month at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood in the evening. (Note: the course is also available on a different night at other locations. Call Rutgers directly at 732-932-7178 for additional information.) The course, entitled “Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic – Sports Awareness for Educating Today’s Youth” covers a variety of excellent topics, including legal and psychological aspects of coaching; training and conditioning; and first aid. Coaches completing the course will receive an information packet and a certification card. Their names will be permanently entered into the Rutgers YSRC databank. The certification does not expire and is good for all sports. Most Glen Rock Sports organizations require this certification.
There will be two courses offered before the start of the season: March 6, 2008 and April 3, 2008
Advance Registration is Required. The Valley Hospital Auditorium holds approximately 250 people. Call 1-800-825-5391 in advance to register. Valley Hospital's website also has information on the course.
The following is a summary of the program:
Volunteer Coaches
The Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic
Sports Awareness for Educating Today's Youth
Introduction
On May 12, 1986, New Jersey became the first state in the nation to pass legislation which protects volunteer athletic coaches, managers, and officials from lawsuits. Commonly referred to as the "Little League Law" (2A:62A-6 et. seq.), this legislation extends partial civil immunity to volunteers who have attended a "safety orientation and training skills program."
Since 1986, the Youth Sports Research Council, in cooperation with the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association (NJRPA) has trained more than 140,000 volunteer coaches in New Jersey.
Objectives
In accordance with the stipulations in the Little League Law, the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic:
 | helps coaches minimize the risk of injury to young athletes |
| provides information about fundamental coaching concepts which enhances volunteer coaches' effectiveness |
| protects volunteer coaches from civil lawsuits |
Topics
The curriculum for the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic is based upon the Minimum Standards for Volunteer Coaches' Safety Orientation and Training Skills Programs (N.J.A.C. 5:52).
The topics include:
| Legal Aspects of Coaching |
| Psychological Aspects of Coaching |
| General Coaching Concepts |
| Training and Conditioning Athletes |
| Medical/First Aid Aspects of Coaching |
Highlights
Individuals attending the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic receive:
| Way to Go, Coach! (pp. 200) custom edition text |
| The Coaches' Reference Manual (3rd edition) |
| The Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic Certification Card |
| The Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic Patch |
| Permanent registration with YSRC (.3 CEU) |
