Leesville Youth Protection Policy

Leesville Youth Basketball Association cares about the safety and welfare of all players, coaches, referees and League participants. Consequently, LYBA has developed the Youth Protection Program designed to help ensure the safety and well-being of all League members, particularly our youth. The Program’s guidelines are aimed at eliminating any opportunities for abuse within our sports program. It is the responsibility of all League participants to ensure that these policies are followed.

It must be understood that our volunteers are not trained to deal with situations of abuse, but they must take responsibility for promptly reporting any concerns to LYBA.

All LYBA coaches, referees and volunteers, who are working directly with children under the age of eighteen, are required to participate in, and adhere to, the Youth Protection Program which includes:                                                                                                                    

• Background checks on all prospective volunteers to evaluate the individual's suitability to perform in a responsible leadership capacity around youth.
• Reading the LYBA Youth Protection guidelines as posted on website.
• Signing the Code of Conduct for Coaches Form.

Youth Protection Policy: 

The parents, families, relatives and members of the Leesville Youth Basketball Association trust our program to provide a safe environment for all participants. The LYBA Youth Protection Policy does not tolerate abuse in any form, whether it is emotional, physical, or sexual.

Adults who assume volunteer roles within LYBA have the opportunity for a rewarding experience. The opportunity to work with youth is a privileged position of trust that should be held only by those who are willing to demonstrate behavior that fulfills this trust.

Youth Protection Guidelines

·          The following guidelines and expectations have been established for persons serving in volunteer roles with LYBA:

·          Conduct yourself in a courteous, respectful manner demonstrating behavior appropriate for a positive role model for youth.

·          Demonstrate exemplary behavior at all times when dealing with parents, coaches, assistant coaches, referees and other personnel involved in the sport.

·          Encourage good sportsmanship by the players during both practices and games.

·          Treat all players with respect and dignity. Promote respect for all the participants including the opposition and game officials.

·          Put the welfare and well-being of the players first – before winning. Kids first, winning second.

·          Create a positive environment for training and competition. Make basketball enjoyable and promote fair play.

·          Encourage and support players. Provide constructive feedback. Take time to offer praise whenever the youth does anything praiseworthy. Focus on the positive.

·          Where possible, avoid one-on-one situations with individual players. Meetings, discussions and drills should be conducted in view of other adults and/or youths.

·          Obtain parental consent to transport young players to and from practices and games.

·          While physical contact between an adult and a youth is cannot absolutely be avoided or prohibited, as in “high-fives” when congratulating a youth for his or her excellence, adults must always be appropriate of any physical contact. !!! DO NOT PAT  PLAYER/s ON THEIR BUTT FOR A JOB WELL DONE!!!!! It may be experienced by the youth or seen by others as inappropriate. For example, as in most social situations, you should try to limit and try to maintain space between your bodies.

·          Discipline used in youth programs should be constructive and reflect high values. Profanity and corporal punishment are never permitted.

·          Ridicule, inappropriate teasing or aggression are prohibited and may not be included as part of any youth activity.

·          Coaches, referees and League Representatives must ensure that LYBA’s policies are followed.

·          Young players must not be left alone without guidance or supervision. Ensure that a child is not left alone at any time (such as waiting for his/her parents to pick them up after a practice of game).

·          Keep medical and emergency contact details for the players with you at all practices and games in the event of an emergency.

·          LYBA offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

·          The use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products is prohibited at all LYBA practices and games.

·          Coaches should communicate all relevant league information to their teams. Details should include number, length and times of practices, games dates and other related League information.

LYBA views the reporting of suspected child abuse as both a personal and ethical obligation. All League members should be alert to the physical and emotional state of all program participants.

 If child abuse is suspected, report your reasonable suspicions to the League President who will immediately investigate the allegations (Louisiana Child Welfare will be notified). During the investigation period, the accused individual will be suspended from all activities involving the supervision of children. The suspension will continue until the person is cleared or allegations are proven. If the allegations are proven correct, the individual will be removed from all activities.

All information regarding alleged child abuse will be maintained under strict confidentiality.  

Melvin Stoudemire, President

Leesville Youth Basketball Association

“More than Just Basketball”