Background Checks & Clearances

PROCEDURES FOR BACKGROUND CHECKS & CLEARANCES

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has instituted laws for its schools, churches, and other organizations like ours to ensure that our children are safe while participating in youth activities. Part of these laws are requirements for background checks and special clearances. 

Our coaches, managers and volunteers must complete certain requirements in order to be able to work with and support our Eagle FC players. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association (EPYSA), our governing body,  uses Gotsport as its platform to maintain these clearances. Follow the steps below to complete all requirements needed for your service as a coach or volunteer for the current recreational/competitive year.

Log into Gotsport at system.gotsport.com on a computer. 

If you do not have a GotSport account, please DO NOT CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT! Email Miranda Miller, our Club Administrator, provide your first/last name and email address and she will set up your new account on GotSport. She can be reached at clubadmin@eagle-fc.com.

  • INSTRUCTIONS for new accounts:
    • Once you are on the site, click on “Forgot Password.” This step will send a link to your email, and you will be directed to change your password.
    • Follow the directions to reset your password and gain access to your account.
    • When you are logged in, the page opens on your profile. Complete your profile page to make sure it’s accurate.
    • Upload your profile photo – Please utilize a passport-sized headshot photo with no hat or sunglasses.

The next task is to complete and upload  your six (6) required documents.

  • Log into system.gotsport.com
  • Click on dashboard (on top left)
  • Scroll to see your list of requirements 
  • Click on “details” of the requirement you want to work on
  • In order to check to see if your requirements have been uploaded, refresh the requirements page after submission.

1. Heads UP Concussion Training 

  • Annual requirement.
  • The certificate completion date must be within the current soccer year (August- July).
  • From list of Requirements, click on “details”
    • Click on “launch Heads Up” 
    • Click on “start training”
    • Complete the training and post-test,
    • Print out your certificate and upload it

2. SafeSport – 

  • Annual requirement.
  • The certificate completion date must be within the current soccer year (August- July). If you have already completed your initial SafeSport clearance, you will have to login to your account and complete the most recent “Refresher” course.
  • From list of Requirements, click on “details”
    • Click on start course
    •  Sign up or login using same email as you did with gotsport
    •  Complete course
  • Upload certificate (sometimes it automatically uploads)

3. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Risk Management Form            

  • Annual requirement.
  • The certificate completion date must be within the current soccer year (August- July).
  • From list of Requirements, click on “details”
    • Click submit new report
    • Fill out information, make sure to sign it
    • Click on submit

4. PENNSYLVANIA CHILD ABUSE CLEARANCE aka: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certification

  • 5 year requirement.
  • The certificate completion date must be within 5 years of the start of the current soccer year (August- July). Anyone working with children must complete and submit proof of their Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check. The background check process is FREE for volunteers.
  • CLICK HERE to complete your background check.
  • To upload in Gotsport: From list of Requirements, click on “details”
    • Click on submit new report
    • Fill in your birthday
    • Upload your Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance 
    • Hit submit

5. FBI Fingerprint or Affidavit

  • 5 year requirement
  • The certificate completion date must be within 5 years of the start of the current soccer year (August- July). Anyone working with children must submit their fingerprints or an affidavit.
  • FBI Fingerprint CheckCLICK HERE
  • All paid workers must complete a FBI Fingerprint Check.
  • All unpaid volunteers who have not been a Pennsylvania resident for at least 10 years must complete a FBI Fingerprint Check.
  • he cost of getting your fingerprints is between $20.00-$25.00, depending on where you have them completed.
  • Affidavit of ComplianceCLICK HERE
  • All unpaid volunteers who have been a Pennsylvania resident for at least 10 years only need to complete an Affidavit of Compliance.
  • To upload in Gotsport:
    • From list of Requirements, click on “details”
    • Click on submit new report
    • Fill in your bday
    • Upload file
    • Click Submit

 

7. PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK 

  • 5 year requirement
  • The certificate completion date must be within 5 years of the start of the current soccer year (August- July). Anyone working with children must complete and submit proof of their Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance. The clearance process is FREE for volunteers. If you need a new verification, go to the link and sign in to your account. Once in the account, click on “Create Clearance Application.” The first page will be an Application Purpose that you will have to fill out. The rest of your information will transfer from your original application. You may have to update any new or outdated information.
  • CLICK HERE to complete your Criminal Background Check
  • To upload in Gotsport: From list of Requirements, click on “details”
    • Click on submit new report
    • Fill in your bday
    • Upload Criminal Background Check
    • Hit submit

If you have any troubles with your clearances or uploads, please contact Miranda at clubadmin@eagle-fc.com.

RESOURCES From EPYSA

EPYSA’s Background Check & Clearance FAQ CLICK HERE

How to Upload Documents & Complete Requirements Video CLICK HERE