Roaring Fork United

STATEMENT OF INTENT

Roaring Fork United is committed to providing a caring, friendly, and safe environment for all our members so they can participate in soccer in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our club. If bullying does occur, all children and parents should be able to openly communicate the situation and know that all incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are an open club. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is suspected or happening is expected to notify the club immediately.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS POLICY

Bullying will not be tolerated.
All players, coaches, managers, and parents of the Roaring Fork United should understand what bullying is.
All managers and coaching staff should know what the club policy is on bullying and follow it when bullying is reported.
All players should know what the club policy is on bullying and what they should do if bullying occurs or is suspected.
As a club we take bullying seriously. Players and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.

WHAT IS BULLYING?

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim. Bullying consists of three basic types of abuse – emotional, verbal, and physical.

Bullying can be and does include:

Verbal bullying including derogatory comments, lies, false rumors, teasing, ridicule, and bad names. Emotional bullying includes being unfriendly, sending hurtful or tormenting messages via social media forms.
Bullying through social exclusion or isolation, being ignored and or left out
Physical bullying includes pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any other use of violence.
Being attacked because of their religion, race or color, gender or sexuality including but not limited to taunts, graffiti, gestures etc...
Sexually unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
Misuse of associated technology such as unwanted camera and video usage and social networking exposure

SIGNS AND INDICATORS

A player may indicate he or she is being bullied by signs or behavior, adults should be aware of these possible signs and should investigate if a player:

Says he or she is being bullied
Is afraid or unwilling to go to training, practice or games
Becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
Feels ill before training sessions
Is nervous and /or jumpy when a message is received (e.g. text, social network)
Comes home with clothes torn or training equipment damaged
Asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay the bully)
Has unexplained cuts or bruises
Is frightened to say what’s wrong
Gives improbable excuses for any of the above
Cry them‐selves to sleep at night or has nightmares
Becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
Is bullying other children or siblings
Stops eating
Attempts suicide, runs away or hurts themselves deliberately (self-harm)

These signs and behaviors may indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.

WHY DO PLAYERS SOMETIMES BULLY OTHER PLAYERS?

Players might bully because:
They may not have been taught that any form of bullying is unacceptable behavior and will not be condoned by the Roaring Fork United.
They think it is fun or funny
They are lacking in their own self confidence
They are copying older siblings, friends, parents or even club staff
They are encouraged to bully by friends
They themselves have been a victim of bullying

AS A COACH OR MANAGER WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU THINK YOUR PLAYER IS BEING BULLIED?

Ask the player directly
Take any incidents of bullying that they tell you about seriously
Talk calmly with the player about their experiences
Make note of what the player says
Reassure the player that they have done the right thing by telling you
Understand that your player may need to change aspects of their behavior
Never approach another parent directly
Do not encourage your player to retaliate
Contact Roaring Fork United staff immediately

PROCEDURES

1. Immediately report the bullying incidents/behavior to the Roaring Fork United Staff.
2. The club will take every concern seriously, investigate the issue and report back to you in a timely manner.
3. In serious cases, parents may be asked to come in to discuss the problem.
4. If necessary and appropriate, the police will be consulted.
5. If bullying is found, it will be stopped immediately by removal of the player(s) who is bullying from the Club until a suitable process has been met
through club policy.
6. A record will be kept on the incident(s), investigation and any action(s) taken
7. The bully (bullies) will be placed on probationary period with the club of no less than six (6) month

Each team coach is the directly responsible person for the safety of the group of players they have care over and must act accordingly in adverse weather conditions to protect every player from harm.

Should there be any lightning within a 10 mile radius of a training/game facility, all activities are suspended. Coaches will instruct all players to seek shelter in covered facilities or in cars as appropriate and available. Activities may resume once 30 minutes have passed from the final lightning strike within the 10 mile radius.

Always use common sense when it comes to weather risk. Though the technology solutions available to all coaches are very good tools, they are not 100% foolproof. If you see lightning and/or hear thunder, and your weather app does not match what you are observing, again, err on the side of caution and seek shelter.

AUTOMATIC WEATHER DETECTION TECHNOLOGY

Depending on the site of the practice/game, a lightning detection technology may be on-site, at which time, coaches and teams should defer to its technology as the primary for that facility and act accordingly. If there is no one designated on-site, that responsibility falls to the coach (volunteer or contract) to make a call and communicate with their team.

ABSENCE OF AUTOMATIC WEATHER DETECTION TECHNOLOGY AT FACILITY

RFU coaches should be equipped with a Weatherbug phone application, a fee-for-service adverse weather detection phone application that provides lightning and adverse weather condition detection.

This policy is primarily written to address lighting, as that is the most prevalent safety risk that occurs in Colorado. However, if extreme wind, hail, tornadoes, blizzards, or any other weather event that may endanger players occurs, you must clear fields to assure the safety of all players.

CANCELLING PRACTICES

If lightning is still in the area halfway through practice, you must call off your practice, or the storm does not appear to be passing quickly, RFU ask that the coach end practice/games instead of a delay.

PLAYMETRICS

Please make sure that you have a team communication contact list for parents. This will be the easiest form of team communication.

PARENT REQUEST

If there looks like lightning nearby at the beginning of practice, please ask parents to stick around to keep players in their car.

LIGHTNING

Lightning 10-12 miles away: Warning Zone
Lightning 6-10 miles away: Clear the fields and seek shelter
Lightning 0-6 miles away: Immediate Danger, seek shelter
Returning to play: Players can return to the fields 25 minutes after the last lightning strike that is 10 or more miles away.

WHERE TO SEEK SHELTER:

Park Pavilions
Cars of coaches and/or parents (must be in groups)
Restrooms

WHERE NOT TO SEEK SHELTER

Under a tree
Under or by any tall objects
Under an umbrella
Near water
Under or near a soccer goal

Roaring Fork United Concussion Policy

At Roaring Fork United (RF United), we want to ensure our players are provided the safest environment possible. As such, RF United is incorporating a Concussion Policy to educate members about concussions, help prevent concussions from occurring, and identify when a concussion may have taken place.

Concussion Policy

Parent Concussion Policy: RF United recognizes the potential danger and long-term health consequences of this often difficult to diagnose form of traumatic brain injury. The policy is intended to provide easy-to-understand guidelines related to players who have been diagnosed with or are suspected of having a concussion. The policy is for coaches, parents, and players, but is to be shared with any other adults or participants in Roaring Fork United.

Per Colorado Senate Law 11-040 passed on March 14, 2011, and put into effect January 1, 2012, youth coaches need to be educated about concussions. It is MANDATORY for all recreational, intermediate, and competitive coaches to have completed a concussion training module and have a certificate of completion on file to be updated annually.

Parents: When a parent registers their player, they agree to the following:

If my child is diagnosed with a concussion during a Roaring Fork United activity or during any other activity, including those outside of Roaring Fork United or if my player has a prior head injury, I will inform my child’s coach of such diagnosis prior to the start of the season or before my child return to play. If a RF United staff, coach, or referee deems a player as having a potential concussion, they are within their right to remove the player from the game. Parents may not override the decision until they have their player evaluated by a physician and released to play.

All players, parents and coaches should review signs and symptoms of concussions on the CDC website. (https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/index.html)

If a player does have a head injury, that player must notify parents and coaches immediately.

Parents and Players: Learn about concussions!

Colorado Soccer Association Concussion Policy and Procedures

The athlete and family should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of a concussion. Identify the signs and symptoms of a concussion – As a member of the sports community; we must recognize the signs of a concussion and check to see if the player is experiencing symptoms of a concussion. When in doubt, take the player out. – It is best practice to remove the player from competition if there are signs and/or symptoms a concussion has occurred. Do not let the player return – The player should not return to competition until he or she is evaluated by a medical physician and cleared to play. Monitor recovery – Players who have experienced a concussion should be allowed to return to participate on a gradual basis. Players should continue to be monitored with the goal that the player will eventually return to full participation at an individual pace. Not all concussions are the same.

For our 10U-19U programs, our Roaring Fork United uniform contract is in place for 3 years. We will continue to wear our current uniforms until Spring of 2025.

The Colorado Soccer Association requires all teams to have a home and away jersey. Our home jersey is the black jersey and our away is the white. This is universal throughout soccer. Although white jerseys are not the best color for sports, we are required to have them.

Upon registration to an 10u+ RFU team for the first time, a uniform fee may be added to your registration dues to indicate that your player needs a uniform. We are one of the only clubs in the state that does not require parents to purchase them online prior to the season. We know how busy our parents are in the valley, so we do our best to keep uniforms in stock and ready to get printed within a week of requests. Once we know what player numbers are available on your team, we should be able to print them up in a few days.

Club jerseys may be traded / swapped for the next size for your child whenever needed. To trade a shirt, it must be in good condition, washed and free of stains. If you would not appreciate getting a worn dirty jersey as a replacement, then please don’t attempt to trade one. If they are clean, washed and stain free, we will swap your jersey for the next size up and give you a new or used jersey as a replacement. Club uniforms and jerseys must be worn at all games 12U and older. 10U can be more flexible since it is an internal league.

Jersey Replacement – if your child outgrows their current jersey.

If you change teams and need a different number or need a new sized jersey, we can replace the old one with a new one in a different size or with a different number. Your jersey must be washed, free of stains or damage and in good condition to swap. To trade in your jersey, please email Kevin at Kevin@rfunited.org with your player's name, requested size and what team they currently play for. Please give your old jerseys to your Coach or Team manager to be returned and recycled.

New Club Jerseys – if you lost or damaged your jersey.

If you lose or damage your jersey, you can purchase a new one from the club. Jerseys are $30 each. We will make a new jersey in the same size unless a new size is requested. To purchase a replacement jersey, please email Kevin at Kevin@rfunited.org with your players name, requested new size and what team they currently play for. Payments for a new jersey can be made on Venmo to @RFUnited. Please specify who the jersey is for in the comment line.

Shorts and socks –

We do not swap out shorts and socks. However, we do have them in stock if you would like to purchase new socks or shorts from the Club. If your player needs new Club shorts and socks, they are available for purchase at $20 each. Venmo payments to @RFUnited are preferred. Please specify who it is for and what team they are on. We will get them to your coach for you or you may contact Kevin for pick up in Carbondale.

Club hats –

We have lots of club hats for sale. Kids and adult size ball hats and beenies with several colors available. Look for staff on the fields and we can help you with that or contact Kevin@rfunited.org for more information. The ball hats and beenies are $25, Venmo is preferred to @RFUnited.

Club backpacks –

Teams can order Club backpacks for their teams. We are only allowed to do team orders and will not sell backpacks individually.
Sponsorship opportunity – If your team would like to purchase a team backpack or find a sponsor to buy them for your team, they cost $45 each. We can add any sponsor logo and the Club logo to the bag. The bags are black. If interested, please reach out to kevin@rfunited.org for more info. Names may also be added to the backpacks.

Club fan wear –

We are working with a local vendor to offer team orders for club wear. Stay tuned for more info on that. Individual gear can be purchased online in the Apparel Store.

Roaring Fork United does not offer refunds, credits, or fee transfers for the program with the strict exception of the following situations:

If Roaring Fork United is unable to place your child on a team a full refund will be offered however, we do not guarantee the program, or the team requested.
Family relocation. Roaring Fork United may offer a refund if the relocation takes place prior to any team practice for the season. Should the relocation occur during the season, Roaring Fork United has the right to pro-rate the players registration based on the amount of time the team played or practiced.
Player injury. Roaring Fork United may offer a refund if the injury occurs prior to any team practice for the season. Should the injury occur during the season, Roaring Fork United has the right to pro-rate the players registration based on the amount of time the team played or practiced. Registration can also be credited to the following season.
Player drops from the program. Roaring Fork United may offer a refund PRIOR to the start of season and with an approved reason. Should the player drop occur during the season, Roaring Fork United has the right to pro-rate the players registration based on the amount of time the team played or practiced.
Force Majeure: Roaring Fork United shall not be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its duties or return of fees under this agreement to extent that such a failure or delay is caused by an event or circumstance beyond its reasonable control including, but not limited to weather, inability to conduct soccer activities at an appropriate soccer facility, forfeit from the opposition, acts of God, acts of war, government action, act of terrorism, epidemic, pandemic, natural disaster, or lock outs, civil disorder or other major upheaval. In such event, Roaring Fork United's duties and obligations under this agreement may be suspended and fees retained. In addition, Roaring Fork United may alter its season or calendar or provide alternative means of coaching or other soccer related services in its sole discretion.

While we will make an attempt, when possible, to place your child on another team to accommodate your schedule, refunds are not available due to scheduling conflicts.

*Late payments and payment plan fees are non-refundable.

Roaring Fork United has the right to amend the Refund Policy at any time.

Travel Policy (Safesport)

This policy shall apply to:

1 – Adults at any facility under the jurisdiction of Roaring Fork United.

2 – Adult members who have regular contact with amateur athletes who are minors.

3 – An adult authorized by Roaring Fork United to have regular contact with or authority over an amateur athlete who is a minor.

4 – Staff and board members of Roaring Fork United.

Team/Competition Travel

When only one participating adult and one minor athlete travel to a competition, the minor athlete must have his/her legal guardian’s written permission in advance and for each competition to travel alone with the participating adult.

Hotel Rooms

Participating adults shall not share a hotel room or other sleeping arrangement with a minor athlete (unless the participating adult is the legal guardian, sibling, or is otherwise related to the minor athlete).

Meetings

Meetings shall be conducted consistent with SafeSport's guidelines for one-on-one interactions – i.e., any such meeting shall be observable and interruptible.

Meetings shall not be conducted in a hotel room.

Roaring Fork United (RFU) is committed to providing players a fun, positive, and secure environment to learn and enjoy the game of soccer. The club’s Transgender / Nonbinary Policy is split between RFU sanctioned activities and Colorado Soccer Association (CSA) sanctioned activities.

RFU Sanctioned Activities

RFU sanctioned activities include any camps, clinics, leagues, and programming that are run solely by the club. This includes summer, winter, and in-season camps, as well as our internal recreational leagues.

Families are able to register their player for the gender team/program with which the player identifies via the club’s sports registration system. We ask that families also reach out to the Director of the program to make them aware to assist with the placement of the player and create the best and safest playing environment.

CSA Sanctioned Activities

RFU will follow the guidelines from USYS/US Soccer for state league and CSA sanctioned activities which include, but are not limited to, 11U-19U Advanced League programming, and any recreational programming that participates against other clubs through CSA sanctioned events.

Per U.S. Soccer and United States Youth Soccer:

For the purposes of registration on gender-based amateur teams, a player may register with the gender team with which the player identifies, and confirmation sufficient for guaranteeing access shall be satisfied by documentation or evidence that shows the stated gender is sincerely held, and part of a person’s core identity. Documentation satisfying the herein stated standard includes, but is not limited to, government-issued documentation or documentation prepared by a healthcare provider, counselor, or other qualified professional not related to the player.

The medical documentation should be shared with your program director and uploaded into the player’s GotSport profile (this information and file upload is encrypted) or sent to Colorado Soccer Association directly.

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EMAIL: info@rfunited.org

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POLICIES

SPORTSMANSHIP CODE & ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

FUNDAMENTALS OF SPORTSMANSHIP

SPORTSMANSHIP CODE GUIDELINES AND BEHAVIOR EXPECTATION

THE PENALTIES FOR DISSENT OR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT