Westport PAL Girls Lacrosse strives to find coaches with a combination of good lacrosse knowledge, the ability to teach skills and the talent to positively relate to young athletes. We hope to shape the skills and enthusiasm of our players so that they develop a love for the game of lacrosse. Paid coaches, high school varsity athletes and parent volunteers are each utilized in various parts of our program. Each team at each level of the travel program will have two paid coaches leading the team.
All PAL coaches are required to hold several certifications including: CPR/AED/First Aid, National Youth Sports Coaching Alliance (NYSCA), Heads Up Concussion Training and second year coaches must also pass the US Lacrosse Level I or Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Double Goal Coach Certification. In addition, each coach must pass the Connecticut New York Youth Lacrosse Association (CONNY) rules test, pass a criminal background check and be a US Lacrosse member.
WELCOME TO WESTPORT PAL'S COACHES CERTIFICATION PAGE
Every paid or volunteer Coach must complete and pass the following certifications before having any contact with players or participants.
All paperwork must be renewed annually unless otherwise noted and should be submitted as per the instructions below.
ALL COACHES
1. Westport PAL Coaching Application (5 minutes)
2. Criminal Background Check (5 minutes)
Background Check link (use this link if you are a Volunteer Coach or a Paid Coach 14-17 years old)
All 5th - 8th Grade Travel Team Head or Assistant Coaches (18 years or older) must complete their background check through US Lacrosse. This can be done when completing #8 below (please print a screenshot of the completed background check and email to [email protected])
Select the “Girls Lacrosse Westport PAL pay” or if you would like to donate the fee, you may pay on your own.
Please take a screenshot showing your order number and submit. Volunteers through [email protected] and Paid Coaches through [email protected].
3. Concussion Training Certification (45 minutes)
Heads Up Online Training Link
4. Abuse Prevention System ("APS") Training (45 minutes)
SPRING COACHES:
5. Picture and biography (5 minutes)
6. Positive Coaching Alliance Double-Goal Coach® Certification
7. CPR/First Aid Certification
All coaches are required to be CPR, First Aid & AED certified. This is valid for two years. In-person classes are strongly encouraged, with a practical component to the exam.
Please email if you are not certified and we will assist with arranging a class.
If you are already certified, please submit a copy of your valid course card through email.
8. US Lacrosse Membership (5 minutes)
All 5th - 8th Grade Travel Team Head or Assistant Coaches are required by CONNY to be a member of US Lacrosse.
Please ensure you have a valid membership through this US Lax membership link.
Please save and submit your receipts if you would like reimbursement. Of course we always appreciate it if you would like to consider your class fee a donation to PAL.
Please submit your valid US Lacrosse number through email.
9. Abuse Prevention System Training
- All 5th - 8th Grade Travel Team Head or Assistant Coaches are required by CONNY to complete Abuse Prevention System Training (unless you have already completed SafeSport Training) after completing the background check through the through this US Lax membership dashboard. For coaches, 14-17 years old, renew/register US Lax membership as a coach and then select Abuse Prevention Training.
10. CONNY rules test
All 5th - 8th Grade Travel Team Head or Assistant Coaches are required by CONNY to pass the CONNY rules test for the season year they wish to coach.
The 2024 test is not yet available and we will forward the link when it is ready.
11. Coaching contract