GTYSC 2024 Indoor Fall/Winter Soccer Skills (Grimsby Town Youth Soccer Club)

ONTARIO SOCCER – 
INFORMED CONSENT AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT

(To be executed by Participants under the age of majority)

WARNING!  By signing this document, you will assume certain risks and responsibilities. Please read carefully!

1.     This is a binding legal agreement. Clarify any questions or concerns before signing. As a Participant in activities, programs, classes, services provided and events sponsored or organized by Ontario Soccer and its affiliated districts, leagues, clubs and teams (collectively the “Organization”) and the sport of soccer, including but not limited to: games, tournaments, practices, training, personal training, dry land training, use of strength training and fitness conditioning equipment, machines and facilities, nutritional and dietary programs, orientational or instructional sessions or lessons, aerobic and anaerobic conditioning programs (collectively the “Activities”), the undersigned being the Participant and Participant’s Parent/Guardian (collectively the “Parties”) acknowledges and agrees to the following terms outlined in this agreement: 

2.     I am the Parent/Guardian of the Participant and have full legal responsibility for the decisions of the Participant.

Description of Risks

3.     The Parties understand and acknowledge that:

a)    The Activities have foreseeable and unforeseeable inherent risks, hazards and dangers that no amount of care, caution or expertise can eliminate, including without limitation, the potential for serious bodily injury, permanent disability, paralysis and loss of life;

b)    The Organization may offer or promote online programming (such as webinars, remote conferences, workshops, and online training) which have different foreseeable and unforeseeable risks than in-person programming;

c)     The Organization has a difficult task to ensure safety and it is not infallible. The Organization may be unaware of the Participant’s fitness or abilities, may give incomplete warnings or instructions, may misjudge weather or environmental conditions, and the equipment being used might malfunction; and

d)    The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization and COVID-19 is extremely contagious.  The Organization has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19; however, the Organization cannot guarantee that the Participant will not become infected with COVID-19.  Further, attending the Activities could increase your risk of contracting COVID-19. 

4.     The Participant is participating voluntarily in the Activities. In consideration of that participation, the Parties hereby acknowledge that they are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards and may be exposed to such risks, dangers and hazards. The risks, dangers and hazards include, but are not limited to:

a)    Contracting COVID-19 or any other contagious disease;

b)    Executing strenuous and demanding physical techniques;

c)     Vigorous physical exertion, strenuous cardiovascular workouts and rapid movements;

d)    Exerting and stretching various muscle groups;

e)    The failure to properly use any piece of equipment or from the mechanical failure of any piece of equipment;

f)     Spinal cord injuries which may render the Participant permanently paralyzed;

g)    Serious injury to virtually all bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons and other aspects of the Participant’s body or to the Participant’s general health and well-being;

h)    Abrasions, sprains, strains, fractures, or dislocations;

i)      Concussion or other head injuries, including but not limited to, closed head injury or blunt head trauma;

j)     Physical contact with other participants, spectators, equipment, and hazards;

k)    Not wearing appropriate safety or protective equipment, such a helmet;

l)      Failure to act safely or within the Participant’s ability or within designated areas;

m)   Grass, turf, and other surfaces including bacterial infections and rashes;

n)    Collisions with fences, poles, stands, and soccer equipment;

o)    Negligence of other persons, including other spectators, participants, or employees;

p)    Weather conditions; and

q)    Travel to and from competitive events and associated non-competitive events which are an integral part of the Activities.

Terms

5.     In consideration of the Organization allowing the Participant to participate in the Activities, the Parties agree:

a)    That the Participant’s mental and physical condition is appropriate to participate in the Activities;

b)    That when the Participant practices or train in his or her own space, the Parties are responsible for the Participant’s surroundings and the location and equipment that is selected for the Participant;

c)     To comply with the rules and regulations for participation in the Activities;

d)    To comply with the rules of the facility or equipment;

e)    That if the Participant observes an unusual significant hazard or risk, the Participant will remove themselves from participation and bring such to the attention of an Organization representative immediately;

f)     The risks associated with the Activities are increased when the Participant is impaired and the Participant agrees not to participate if impaired in any way;

g)    That it is their sole responsibility to assess whether any Activities are too difficult for the Participant. By the Participant commencing an Activity, they acknowledge and accept the suitability and conditions of the Activity;

h)    That they are responsible for the choice of the Participant’s protective equipment and the secure fitting of the protective equipment;

i)      That COVID-19 is contagious in nature and the Participant may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 and such exposure may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability or death and voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks.  

6.     In consideration of the Organization allowing the Participant to participate, the Parties agree:

a)    That the Parties are not relying on any oral or written statements made by the Organization or their agents, whether in brochure or advertisement or in individual conversations, to agree to be involved in the Activities; and

b)    That the Organization is not responsible or liable for any damage to the Participant’s vehicle, property, or equipment that may occur as a result of the Activities.

General

7.     The Parties agree that in the event that they file a lawsuit against the Organization, they agree to do so solely in the province of Ontario, Canada and they further agree that the substantive law of Ontario will apply without regard to conflict of law rules.

8.     The Parties expressly agree that this Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by law and that if any of its provisions are held to be invalid, the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect.

Acknowledgement

9.     The Parties acknowledge that they have read this agreement and understand it, that they have executed this agreement voluntarily, and that this Agreement is to be binding upon themselves, their heirs, their spouses, parents, guardians, next of kin, executors, administrators and legal or personal representatives.

ROWAN’S LAW – CONCUSSION AWARENESS

Rowan’s Law came into effect in 2020.   This legislation is named in memory of Rowan Stringer who tragically died in 2013 of Second Impact Syndrome, the result of suffering multiple concussions playing rugby three times in six days.  There are new measures being taken by the Ontario Government to ensure that players registered in organized sports are aware of the concussion legislation and protocols, which have been designed to create a safer environment for competitive amateur athletes, children and youth to play sport.  Knowing how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion, and what to do if a concussion happens – whether you are an athlete, a student, a parent, a coach, a team trainer, an official or an educator – saves lives. 

ALL registrations will be subject to the requirements of the new legislation. Rowan’s Law has been passed to ensure that all athletes under 26 years of age; parents of athletes under 18 years of age; and all team coaches/ staff/ officials confirm annually that they have reviewed Ontario’s Concussion Awareness resources.

Under Rowan's Law, before any player can be registered with the Grimsby Town Youth Soccer Club and Ontario Soccer, the player (and the parent or legal guardian of the player if the player is under 18 years of age), must review one of the Concussion Education Resources provided by the Province of Ontario. A link to these resources is provided here.  Please copy and paste this link to open in a separate window:

MANDATORY Province of Ontario Concussion Education Resources:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/rowans-law-concussion-safety

There are also links to Rowan's Law documents by applicable division on our website.

Rowan’s Law is a multi-level awareness for every sport so the documents that need to be reviewed can be done for multiple sports, but all players or guardians must sign a soccer waiver confirming that they have reviewed the Rowan’s Law resources every year at registration.  

While the legislation is only applicable to players under the age of 26, in the interests of player safety and best practices, the Grimsby Town Youth Soccer Club will require ALL players (or their parent/guardian if they are under 18 years of age) to review and sign off on the requirements of the legislation. 

Rowan's Law Acknowledgement:

I hereby confirm that the player being registered to participate in soccer activities with the Grimsby Town Youth Soccer Club and Ontario Soccer, and the parent or legal guardian of the player being registered if the player is under 18 years of age, have reviewed one of the concussion education resources provided by the Province of Ontario as referenced above and have reviewed the player code of conduct as referenced above. I / we further acknowledge understanding the nature and risk of concussion and head injury to athletes, including the risks of continuing to play after a concussion or head injury is suspected.

ONTARIO SOCCER CONSENT FOR USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

I authorize the Canadian Soccer Association, *Ontario Soccer, the applicable District Association (Niagara Soccer Association) and Soccer Organization (Grimsby Town Youth Soccer Club) to collect and use personal information about me or my child/ward for the purpose of receiving communications from the Canadian Soccer Association, Ontario Soccer, District Association, League and Soccer Organization.  I understand that I may withdraw such consent related to receiving communications at any time by contacting the Ontario Privacy Officer at [email protected] or by mail to: Attention: Privacy Officer, Ontario Soccer 7601 Martin Grove Road, Vaughan ON  L4L 9E4.  The Privacy Officer will advise the implications of such withdrawl.

 *We do not sell or distribute your personal information to any other third party not listed herein.*

ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In consideration of the acceptance of my membership or my child/ward's membership, if participant is under 18 years of age, in Ontario Soccer, the District Association and the Club/Academy, I, the participant or parent/guardian (if participant is under 18 years of age), agree as follows:

• I understand that I or my child/ward cannot play in any sanctioned soccer game until after this registration form has been validated and the registration data has been entered into Ontario Soccer's computerized registration system.
• I have read and understand the waivers attached and my agreement hereto indicates my agreement with such waivers.
• I am aware of Ontario Soccer, District Association and Club/Academy's and League bylaws, policies, rules and regulations and agree to abide by them and to be bound by them.
• I accept sole responsibility for my or my child/ward's personal possessions and athletic equipment and accept all liability for any damage to the playing equipment caused by my careless, negligent and/or improper handling.
• I grant permission to the Organization to photograph and/or record my image and/or voice on still or motion picture film and/or audio tape and to use this material to promote the sport of soccer and the Organizations through the media of newsletters, websites, television, film, radio, print and/or other form. I understand i waive any claim to renumeration for use of audio/visual materials used for these purposes.
  
  I acknowledge that I am the player being registered or the parent/guardian, if player is under 18 years of age.  I agree to be bound by this Legal Agreement even if have not read this agreement.