How often do I need a background check, and what would disqualify me?

Question

Accepted Answer

Under USA Youth & High School Rugby's Background Check Policy, which is in substance the same as USA Rugby's, every coach, assistant coach, referee, administrator, and anyone else with direct contact with minor athletes must pass a criminal background check at least once every 2 years. You give consent online during registration. If you don't, your membership application is rejected.

You are disqualified if you:

have any criminal disposition other than a not-guilty verdict. This includes guilty pleas, no-contest pleas, diversion programs, deferred adjudication or prosecution, and juvenile adjudications.
have a pending criminal charge or an arrest warrant.
are on any state, federal, territorial or tribal sex offender registry.
are listed on the SafeSport Centralized Disciplinary Database or the USA Youth & High School Rugby Ineligible Volunteer List.
have been barred from contact with minors by any youth organization, school, school district or government agency.

You are also ineligible while you are under investigation by law enforcement for child abuse or a violent crime, or by SafeSport, a child protection agency, USA Rugby or a school for misconduct involving a minor. You become eligible again if the investigation ends with no charge or no substantiated finding.

If you think the report is wrong: contact the background check agency to fix it. You can also ask the USA Youth & High School Rugby board in writing for a review. The board may accept the review within 30 days.