USA FOOTBALL CREATES DIRECTOR OF PLAYER SAFETY ROLE TO RAISE YOUTH FOOTBALL OPERATIONAL STANDARDS AND SUPPORT ATHLETES

USA Football’s best-in-class educational materials and resources help organizations meet the latest standards for the benefit of their athletes 

INDIANAPOLIS – In its pursuit of leading, strengthening and growing football by providing the best support and experiences for young athletes and youth football organizations, USA Football, the sport’s governing body, is announcing the creation of the Director of Player Safety role. USA Football encourages youth organizations nationwide to adopt this new position to prioritize the well-being of athletes and the operational standards of youth football programs.  

USA Football, which offers the only football Coach Certification Program accredited by the United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE), has developed educational materials and resources designed to inform and guide the Director of Player Safety. These best-in-class resources are designed to provide volunteers with information to help their organizations meet the latest standards for the benefit of their athletes.  

Resources and content supplied by USA Football to the Director of Player Safety include Emergency Action Plan (EAP) templates and preparation checklists, a Community Health and Safety Contact Catalog, access to live question and answer sessions on USA Football’s online Community platform, information relating to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and the prevention of child sexual abuse (CSA) and more. Some of the areas these items cover include youth practice guidelines, concussion and return to play protocols, heat and hydration resources and mental health and mental wellness resources.  

Several of USA Football’s partners will play significant roles in supporting volunteers who step into the Director of Player Safety role. Stop It Now! and TrueSport will supply access to resources on the prevention of (CSA) and positive whole-athlete development. 

“USA Football partners with like-minded experts and organizations to best meet the needs of football communities while promoting enjoyable experiences through America’s favorite sport,” said USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck. “The athlete’s well-being is always our top priority, and the resources and training provided to the Directors of Player Safety will help their organizations raise their operational standards to support the next generation of young athletes. We encourage youth football organizations to adopt the Director of Player Safety role.” 

USA Football works with medical, child development and long-term athlete development experts to create premier programs and initiatives, such as the Football Development Model (FDM), which aligns with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s long-term athlete development principles, and Director of Player Safety position. These partnerships help USA Football align its recommendations and offerings with the latest research and needs in youth football communities.  

About USA Football: USA Football is the governing body of American football in the United States, the sole US member of the International Federation of American Football, and a recognized sports organization of the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Its non-profit mission includes designing and delivering premier educational, development, and competitive programs for American football, including tackle and flag football. USA Football is the only organization that selects and organizes men’s and women’s US National Teams in federation-sanctioned international competition.