Requirements for Coaches:
1. Registration with Hamilton-Wenham Youth Soccer (HWYSA) – must be completed each coaching season.
2. Mass Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) – must be completed annually.
3. Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) – administered through MYSA every 3 years.
4. Printed Credential – Issued to you annually by HWYSA (MYSA registration & valid CORI are prerequisites).
5. Concussion Awareness Training - online course that must be completed every 2 years.
6. SafeSport Training - online course that must be completed (in full or refreshers) every year.
7. Coaches Card – issued by Essex County Youth Soccer Association (ECYSA) to travel coaches only.
Processes:
1. HWYSA (Blue Sombrero is our web site and registration system): HWYSA
a. You must have (or create) an account. Never create additional accounts! Please recover lost passwords by clicking the link and following instructions.
b. Each season, you must log in and click on “Volunteer Opportunities” where you will select the “Program” and “Division” in which you’d like to coach. This is the only way in which Program Directors can assign you to a team. Team assignment is not guaranteed and made at the discretion of Program Directors.
2. Mass Youth Soccer CORI and Adult Registration
a. The site provides directions and additional links. Once you’ve created an account, you register annually (in August to coach in the fall) and it expires July 31 each year. You must upload a suitable ID photo as well.
3. CORI
a. Whenever you register with MYSA (as above), the site will indicate whether you must complete a CORI application or renewal. CORI approvals/renewals are good for 3 years.
b. New (first-time) CORI applications require a verification step which is one-time process. You fill out the application online but you must print and bring it along with your driver’s license to be “verified” by a designated HWYSA CORI officer. We typically offer 3 or 4 opportunities to do this prior to the start of the season. Your CORI application WILL NOT be processed prior to this verification step. We are required to verify that all of the information that you entered on your online application matches that which is on your driver’s license. You should do this yourself in advance. Everything must be identical! Please don’t use nicknames, alternate addresses or any information that is not on your driver’s license. Once verified, your application is processed and results typically take a few days.
4. Credentials
a. Every adult will be issued a “credential” by HWYSA which is a picture photo badge indicating your CORI approval. You must be registered with MYSA with a photo uploaded and a valid CORI. Credentials are valid for a full year (not just a season). You are required to have this with you during any event where youth are present. We expect the lanyard and clear badge holder to be reused each year so these should NEVER be turned in with other team “stuff” at the end of a season.
5. Concussion Awareness Training
a. Every coach is required to take an online training course (20 minutes or so) no less than every other year. Follow the prompts in your MYSA account to determine your renewal status.
6. SafeSport
a. Every coach is required to take a renewal or refresher course in accordance with the 2018 SafeSport Authorization Act.
Follow the prompts in your MYSA account to determine your renewal status.
7. Coaches Card (Travel Coaches Only)
a. ECYSA is the governing league in which our travel teams play. HWYSA submits all team rosters to ECYSA and they return “official” laminated team rosters along with player and coaches cards. The roster and cards must be presented to the referee at the start of each match.
b. HWYSA handles the processing and issuance of the cards to coaches. Any coach with a card can be present on the sideline and coach any team in the league. If you coach more than one teams, you will need to keep your card with you rather than with a specific team.