Deciding to become a coach is a big decision for you and the players you would be responsible for. To ensure you make an informed decision and the highest safety standards for the players are achieved, before committing please review and ensure you can reasonably comply with the Say National Risk Management Policy.

Please note a coach as defined by this risk policy is considered a "volunteer." A volunteer is any individual that may have unsupervised access to children participating in a SAY sanctioned activity, for the purpose of assisting in that activity (This does not include parents and guardians observing their children during such activities). Other volunteers, such as team parent, officials, board members, etc. could be covered under this program as well and are subject to the same requirements.

If you would like to discuss becoming a coach in more detail, please reach out to one of your District Representatives or any SAY NSL Board Member - SAY NSL Officers and District Representatives

If you're ready to express your interest and become a coach, please follow the steps below.

Note: These steps must be completed annually by New and Returning Coaches and Volunteers.

New and returning coaches must complete steps 1-3 prior to the coaches meeting:

1. REGISTER AS A VOLUNTEER ON SAYNML.ORG.
On the registration page, select the division you would like to volunteer for and follow the prompts.
Visuals can be found on STEP C of the Concussion and Safesport section. 

2. COMPLETE A BACKGROUND APPLICATION.
Directions found below. 

3. COMPLETE THE (2) REQUIRED TRAININGS (CONCUSSION TRAINING AND SAFESPORT TRAINING) and UPLOAD YOUR COMPLETED TRAINING CERTIFICATES
These must be completed each season for new and returning coaches.
Directions found below.

4. ATTEND THE MANDATORY COACHES MEETING FOR YOUR SEASON. 2026 Season


*If coaching both seasons, only attending the first meeting is required.

COACHES MUST FILL OUT & SIGN THE VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A COACHING SPOT FOR SAY-NORTHERN SOCCER LEAGUE.

NOTE: THIS NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED ANNUALLY & IS SECURE

TO SUBMIT THE BACKGROUND APPLICATION Click Here AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

1. Scroll to and click apply next to: Northern Soccer League - MI - WI 
2. Complete Applicant Info 
3. Complete Address History  
4. Select State and City Notices  
5. Sign and acknowledge the electronic disclosures 

Completing this application authorizes SAY NSL to run a background check. 

For questions please e-mail: [email protected] or contact a SAY NSL Board Member: SAY NSL Officers and District Representatives

1. Click the link and follow the instructions for 2026 Say Member Safesport Training
2. After completion, UPLOAD your certificate using instruction in STEP C

IF UNABLE TO ACCESS SAFESPORT TRAINING PLEASE REVIEW THIS SAFE SPORT PDF: Safesport Handbook

Note: there are supplemental courses available in the catalog. These are provided to you at no cost, but they are optional and DO NOT meet the training requirements established by the Center for SafeSport



STEP C - Upload your Concussion and SafeSport Completion Certificates to your saynml.org account

Figure 1: Figure 2: