Coaches, managers, players and parents,

 

Recently, there was an unfortunate incident in Prince William County where an unsecured goal fell over and injured a youth soccer player. I ask you to join NVSC in working together to make this coming season a safe and accident-free season for our players. It is the responsibility of all of us to make that the goals are secured to the ground to prevent them from falling over. This goes for Practice and Games -- under no circumstances should a goal be used if it is not secured. Our coaches and referees have been instructed not to start a game without checking the goals, whether its a home or an away game. Safety extends beyond our home fields and should be a priority no matter where games are played.     All it takes is for a kid to hang on them, for a gust of wind to come up, and while it is an accident, it can be avoided. NVSC has all of the necessary equipment to secure the goals, so there is no reason they should not be secured for play. We need the help of each member of NVSC to make sure that accidents do not happen. Again, this is for both Practice and Games.

 

For additional information, there are some excellent web sites.   You can go to www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/326.html, www.anchoredforsafety.org, www.kwikgoal.com/docs/GOAL_SAFETY_BOOKLET_new.pdf .  Below is an excerpt of MYTH vs FACT from the Kwik Goal web site.

 

Again, we ask that all Coaches, Managers, Players, and Parents to support the NVSC goal to make the playing environment safe for our youth.

 

Bill Gregory

President, NVSC

 

 

 

MYTH vs FACT

 

MYTH: The majority of soccer goal related injuries occur during matches or training.

 

FACT: Most soccer goal related injuries occur when organized soccer playing is over, either during the transport of goals, when goals are being used for unapproved purposes, or during pick-up soccer.

 

MYTH: Heavier soccer goals need not be anchored because of their inherent difficulty in moving.

 

FACT: Any unanchored goal can be tipped with catastrophic results.

 

MYTH: Home-made goals that match manufacturer’s designs or styles will act as a suitable replacement for professionally manufactured goals.

 

FACT: The CPSC reports a large majority of goals involved in fatal or serious tip-over accidents involve "home-made" goals made by shop classes, custodial staff, or local welders not fully aware of proper anchoring techniques and safe counter balancing goal designs.

 

MYTH: Soccer goals will not tip unless moved or climbed upon.

 

FACT: Unanchored portable, lightweight goals are capable of tipping during high wind conditions, especially with nets affixed to the frame. All goals should be anchored when they are in an upright position.

 

MYTH: Once a goal is anchored, it is considered secure.

 

FACT: Unless a goal is anchored in a permanent/semi-permanent manner (ground sleeves or anchors in cement), it should be secured after soccer play is finished by locking goals face to face, locking goals to a permanent structure, or folding goals

 

onto the ground.

 

MYTH: Padded goals will reduce injury when a goal tips over.

 

FACT: Padding will not protect a person from injury when a goal tips over.