What SafeSport rules apply when I coach players under 18?

Q: What SafeSport rules apply when I coach players under 18?

USA Rugby requires every coach to follow the USA Rugby SafeSport Handbook. That includes completing abuse, hazing and bullying awareness and prevention training, and staying current. USA Rugby's own policy must meet at least the minimums in the U.S. Center for SafeSport's Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP), which all organizations had to adopt by January 1, 2025. Under the MAAPP: One-on-one contact Any one-on-one in-program contact with a minor athlete must be observable and interruptible. The only exceptions are emergencies and documented exceptions. Texts, email, social media and calls One-on-one messages to a minor must be open and transparent. That means you copy in the athlete's parent or guardian, another adult family member, or another adult participant on every message, including replies when the athlete messages you first. Messages to the whole team must also include parents or guardians, or another adult. Content must be professional. If a parent asks in writing that you not contact their child electronically, you must comply, except in an emergency. Recommended: send messages only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and don't keep private social media connections with minor athletes. Driving players You may drive a minor one-on-one only with advance written consent from the parent or guardian, renewed at least once a year. Otherwise, you must have another adult participant with you, or at least two minors who are aged 8 or older.

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Accepted Answer

USA Rugby requires every coach to follow the USA Rugby SafeSport Handbook. That includes completing abuse, hazing and bullying awareness and prevention training, and staying current. USA Rugby's own policy must meet at least the minimums in the U.S. Center for SafeSport's Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP), which all organizations had to adopt by January 1, 2025. Under the MAAPP:

One-on-one contact

Any one-on-one in-program contact with a minor athlete must be observable and interruptible. The only exceptions are emergencies and documented exceptions.

Texts, email, social media and calls

One-on-one messages to a minor must be open and transparent. That means you copy in the athlete's parent or guardian, another adult family member, or another adult participant on every message, including replies when the athlete messages you first.
Messages to the whole team must also include parents or guardians, or another adult.
Content must be professional.
If a parent asks in writing that you not contact their child electronically, you must comply, except in an emergency.
Recommended: send messages only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and don't keep private social media connections with minor athletes.

Driving players

You may drive a minor one-on-one only with advance written consent from the parent or guardian, renewed at least once a year.
Otherwise, you must have another adult participant with you, or at least two minors who are aged 8 or older.