Coaching Requirements

Chatham Recreation Background Check

All Parent Coaches (this includes Travel Soccer Parent Managers, Travel Soccer Assistant Parent Managers, Recreation Soccer Parent Coaches and TOPSoccer Parent Coaches) must undergo Background Checks consistent with Chatham Recreation's policy.  Click here for more informationThere are no exceptions to this rule and no one will be allowed to coach without undergoing the fingerprint background check and obtaining the approval of Chatham Recreation.

If you have never been through a fingerprint background check you must follow the instructions for an "Initial Background Check."  If you have undergone an Initial Background Check and are up for renewal you must follow the instructions for a "Supplemental Background Check."

Please note this is a different background check than the one required when you register online with NJYS. Chatham Recreation does not accept the NJYS background check as this is not done using a fingerprint.

We do not reimburse for the cost of this town background check. This fingerprint background check covers all of the sports in Chatham and is required by Chatham Recreation.

NJYS Registration

All Parent Coaches (this includes Travel Soccer Parent Managers, Travel Soccer Assistant Parent Managers, Recreation Soccer Parent Coaches and TOPSoccer Parent Coaches) must register with US Soccer Connect.

What link should a coach use to register and submit a background check?

https://www.njyouthsoccer.com/Default.aspx?tabid=733283

Coach registrations shall occur through the njyouthsoccer.com club platform site. For returning coaches, registered in previous seasons, please log in to your account through the “Log-In’ tab on njyouthsoccer.com. For an instructional video, click here. If your account is unable to be found, use the ‘new coach’ registration process. For new coaches, not yet registered, please create a new account through the ‘Register’ tab on njyouthsoccer.com. For an instructional video, click here. It is essential to complete each step shown in the videos.

If you already have an account from last year, login using that same email, otherwise create a new accountYou must login using the email you had last year for all of your coaching credentials to be recognized (otherwise you will need to load them again). Complete the registration process and select Chatham United as the club when prompted. At this time, you may not have all the documents you need to upload but eventually you will need to upload your State Certificate (only for Travel and TOPSoccer coaches), Concussion Certificate, and SafeSport Certificate as well as a headshot photo. Please note that as part of this registration, NJYS will run an additional background check on you. This is different from the town’s background check above and this NJYS background check does not meet the town’s requirement.

SafeSport Training

All Parent Coaches (this includes Travel Soccer Parent Managers, Travel Soccer Assistant Parent Managers, Recreation Soccer Parent Coaches and TOPSoccer Parent Coaches) must complete the SafeSport Training Course.

What is the SafeSport training requirement for coaches?

SafeSport is an annual requirement for adult members mandated by Federal Law. NJ Youth Soccer will accept SafeSport Trained, Refresher 1, Refresher 2, or Refresher 3 certificates completed on or after June 1st this year OR Refresher 4 certificates taken at any time. The SafeSport certificates uploaded and verified for last season have been unverified and removed as of June 30th. To complete SafeSport training, click here.

Creating the safest playing environment for youth players and their families is of paramount importance to NJ Youth Soccer, US Youth Soccer and US Soccer. With that in mind, we share a reminder about the “Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sports Authorization Act of 2017.” This content includes free education and training opportunities available to our members.

NJ Youth Soccer does strongly recommend that our members take the program provided by the US Center for SafeSport.

  • US Center for SafeSport: To enroll in this program just click on the link below, click on “Sign In,” click on “Register.” When prompted, make sure to select U.S. Soccer as your NGB and then enter the access code proved below.
  • In order to complete your course registration you will receive an email to confirm your email address.  You must respond to this email to activate your account.

Upon completion please save your certificate since you will need to upload it during the NJYS Registration (US Soccer Connect) process. This will be loaded in the Sexual Abuse Prevention Training Document section of US Soccer Connect.

Concussion Training

All Parent Coaches (this includes Travel Soccer Parent Managers, Travel Soccer Assistant Parent Managers, Recreation Soccer Parent Coaches and TOPSoccer Parent Coaches) must complete a Concussion Training Course (click here to take required online course).

Upon completion please save your certificate since you will need to upload it during the NJYS Registration (US Soccer Connect) process (please see below). This will be loaded in the Concussion Document section of US Soccer Connect.

An alternate course (https://nfhslearn.com/courses/61151/concussion-in-sports) is also available and accepted by NJYS if you are having issues with the CDC course linked above.

Program Specific Training

All RECREATION Soccer Parent Coaches must complete the RUTGERS Safety Course. 

For more details and to register click here. 

All TRAVEL Soccer Parent Coaches (this includes Travel Soccer Parent Managers and Assistant Parent Managers) must complete the New Jersey Youth Soccer State Certificate Course (formerly called the NJYS F License Course)

All Parent Managers and Assistant Parent Managers must pass a State Certificate Course from New Jersey Youth Soccer.  This is a requirement to be on the sidelines during games. More information and registration can be found on the NJYS website HERE.

These fill up quickly so you should sign up as soon as possible.  The Club will reimburse you for the course fee.  Please complete the Reimbursement Request Form.

Upon completion please save your State Certificate since you will need to upload it during the NJYS Registration (US Soccer Connect) process.

All TOPSOCCER Soccer Parent Coaches must complete the New Jersey Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Course. 

We will provide the course details to you via email. Upon completion please save your TOPSoccer Training Certificate since you will need to upload it during the NJYS Registration (US Soccer Connect) process.