Providing world class youth soccer programs that enrich children's lives.

AYSO Region 1079 Red Mountain Serving Mesa and Surrounding Areas

Link to Safe Haven Information

Visit AYSO Safe Haven website for more information.

What is Safe Haven?

Safe Haven is a training and certification program developed by AYSO to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants in the league, including players, coaches, referees, and volunteers. The program focuses on creating a safe, fun, and positive environment for children by educating adults on child protection, injury prevention, and the importance of creating a supportive atmosphere.

Safe Haven is important to AYSO because it helps protect young athletes from abuse, harassment, and injuries. By requiring all volunteers to complete Safe Haven training, AYSO ensures that those involved in the program understand their responsibilities and are equipped to handle situations appropriately. This commitment to safety builds trust with parents and the community, reinforcing AYSO’s mission to provide a safe, fair, and fun soccer experience for all children.

Safe Haven Policies

The Region is committed to the protection of all its children from abuse and neglect while participating in the program and it promotes the awareness and prevention of child abuse in the community at large.

Visit the AYSO website to read the AYSO Safe Haven Policies for Child and Volunteer Protection.

Child & Volunteer Protection

Volunteers are the lifeblood of AYSO. To ensure the safety of both children and volunteers, each volunteer is required to take a short in-person or online training session called Safe Haven®. It focuses on safety and appropriate behavior with children as well as other on-field issues. Agreeing to a background check is also required for each volunteer.

Becoming Safe Haven® certified may take a little time, but AYSO families know their children's safety is worth it.

Safe Haven® is both a child and volunteer protection program. It was the first of its kind in youth sports.

The child protection aspect is intended to prevent child abuse, promote education and awareness, enforce policies and screen and train volunteers. It includes proactive steps that promote a positive, healthy environment for children.

Volunteer protection is the result of volunteer training, certification and continuing education. The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 provides certain legal protections for volunteers who have been trained and certified and act in accordance with a written job description and AYSO's policies and guidelines.

Learn More About Safe Haven