Question Number: 15966

League Specific 7/7/2007

RE: House league Under 8

Leah of Thornton, Ontario Canada asks...

When refereeing a U'7 team, if a coach does not show up but his team does, what do you do?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

A bunch of U-littles waiting for a game to play in, let me see, do the game. Of course the league probably has some rule saying no coach no play. Better to check with them to be sure.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Leah,
while security and safety are important hopefully the league allows the parents to sit in as a temp coach when things go awry? In u-littles it is often manditory for all available parents to line the field and help keep the ball in play! Still check with your league and get the info 1st hand! Lets make it possible for them to play ok? As a youth referee you too should be able to have completed a risk assessment as well. Good on you for helping out!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

In our state, even for U7 recreational play, every team must be under the guidance of someone who has passed "Risk Management". This involves a cursory background check for violent or sexual crimes, plus a module of good reading material covering topics such as player safety, first aid, thunder and lightning, avoiding compromising situations, etc. If there is no one with a Risk Management card to take the helm, the team cannot play. We advise the coaches in our rec organization to get a parent or two certified and officially on the roster, just in case there is a time when the coach is delayed in getting to the game.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

This is up to the league. The league must have a policy. I would imagine a parent can do it.