If parents of young children ready to start their soccer dreams are under the impression that the beautiful game is anything but a contact sport, that usually ends when they read the fine print. ADVERTISING If parents of young children
If parents of young children ready to start their soccer dreams are under the impression that the beautiful game is anything but a contact sport, that usually ends when they read the fine print.
The American Youth Soccer Organization registration form doesn’t just require parents to waive the risk of bumps and bruises, but also concussions, spinal chord injuries and death.
“Some parents are surprised,” said Troy Keolanui, director of coaching for Hilo AYSO, “but they always sign the form.”
On a typical Saturday during the AYSO season, Hilo Bayfront’s soccer fields are overrun with matches between keiki of all ages.
AYSO doesn’t mandate a medical professional be on-site, but registered coaches are required to pass a yearly certification test.
Keolanui has been a soccer referee at myriad levels for more than 25 years, so he might roll his eyes a bit during his recertification test, but the process is proof to him that player safety has become a cornerstone philosophy of the association.
“People are taking the concussion threat very seriously and it’s right at the top of our list of concerns,” he said. “With following protocol, it’s not only that we want the players to be safe, but no one wants to take on the liability.”
Keolanui said a quantum leap in progress was made last year when the U.S. Soccer Federation, in resolving a class-action lawsuit, banned headers in matches and practice for players ages 10 and younger. For ages 11-13, header restrictions were put in place.
“If we see an illegal header, it’s a foul, and the other team gets the ball,” he said.
For older age groups, equipment and awareness are two of the keys to curbing concussions.
While headgear designed to reduce injuries hasn’t gained widespread use, Keolanui recently officiated a University of Hawaii at Hilo Division II college soccer match in which the visiting goalkeeper was wearing headgear.
“It looked really light yet provided a lot of coverage and it’s not that expensive,” he said. “That might be something we have to look at more.”
In his experience, the worst concussions come from head-to-head collisions.
When Keolanui is officiating a BIIF match, he makes it a point to try and stop overaggressive play before it happens.
“During warm-ups, you can usually tell what players you have to watch out for,” he said.
Pop Warner
The youth football organization hasn’t begun baseline testing yet, but all coaches are required to go through player safety and concussion awareness training, said Big Island Pop Warner administrator Brenda Kuamoo.
During a game, the home team is required to have EMT personnel on-site, and each team’s staff must include two people who are CPR-certified.
A few of the island’s coaches in the mitey-mite division (ages 7-9) were miffed in May when the organization banned kickoffs in its three youngest age groups, but Kuamoo said most agreed with the rule change and all have abided by it.
“In the end, they just want what’s best for the kids, and that starts with safety,” she said.
Email Matt Gerhart at mgerhart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
