Recently United States Soccer Federation
released a report on systemic levels of player abuse within women's
professional soccer. We want to commend the many brave women who have come
forward to share their experiences and shed light on a deplorable situation.
They came forward despite risking themselves, their careers, and, in many
cases, having to relive the trauma of earlier abuse.
Like many who have read the news, HPFC is
saddened and shocked to read this report's details. There is no place for this
behavior or people who seek to dismiss, minimize, or even hide these evil acts.
At HPFC, we know it is not enough to speak out against these situations and
condemn those involved.
If not part of the solution, we only work to
perpetuate these injustices and unlawful acts. We plan to speak more about
what, as a club, we are doing to root out all levels of abuse and harassment in
youth soccer.
For now, we want to assure all our families that
we take player safety and development of your children with the utmost
importance. From strict adherence to US SafeSport protocols to adherence
to US Soccer Player Safety Initiatives to our recent Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion Training for our entire coaching staff, we have
instituted various measures to ensure this kind of behavior never has a home in
HPFC. We acknowledge that this requires tireless work and constant vigilance to
create a respectful, inclusive, and physically and psychologically safe
environment for every player in our club. More work is needed, and we are
committed to making that happen.
Moving forward, we plan to stay engaged on this
topic. We will continue to share with our families the measures and steps HPFC
has taken to promote player safety. We will continue fostering an inclusive,
respectful atmosphere and encourage positive growth.
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to
contact our Director
of Operations, James Conroy, or our Director
of Coaching, Ozzy Erkut, with any specific concerns or observations.
-Highline
Premier FC Board of Directors & Highline Premier FC Coaching Leadership
To read the “Yates Report”, click here: https://www.kslaw.com/attachments/000/009/931/original/King___Spalding_-_Full_Report_to_USSF.pdf?1664809048
To learn more about US SafeSport, click
here: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/
To learn more about US Soccer Player Safety initiatives,
click here: http://www.recognizetorecover.org/