MTSC - Why member passes?

Why member passes?

Member passes are required for all PYSA matches U9 and up. Some coaches have asked why this change was made.

Risk Management. Players who are registered with OYSA are insured by a USYSA policy for any soccer-related injuries that occur during a team, club, or league event, or sanctioned tournament. This policy also provides a death and dismemberment benefit. In 2004, a five year old boy was playing soccer in Lake Oswego in an OYSA-related league match and died during the match. It turned out that he was not a registered player. In 2004, 15 players filed medical claims with OYSA only to find out that they were not registered and therefore not insured. Some of them had never registered. Others had tried to register, but their paperwork was tied up or lost by someone in the chain (the club or OYSA itself). Member passes complete the circle! If you have a member pass for each player, you can be sure they are insured. There is no other practical way of doing this. This is the main reason member passes are required. The league needs to be sure players on the field are insured.
Roster Fraud.Member passes make a distinction between recreational and competitive players. Member passes carry the player's birth date. The ref examines the cards. By requiring member passes we make roster cheating much less likely.

The reason U7 and U8 players are not required to show passes is simply that there is no PYSA employee (referee) present to receive them. If you are a U7 or U8 coach, you should confirm with our registrar that all your players do have member passes. This is the easy way to protect yourself from allowing an uninsured player to play, and perhaps to get injured, on your watch. Do not allow uninsured players to play. It does no one a favor.