Golden Goal Tournament Park

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WORLD YOUTH SOCCER HALL OF FAME ™

WORLD YOUTH LACROSSE HALL OF FAME ™

Coach’s Handbook

PLEASE REVIEW ENTIRE DOCUMENT

Revised April 2008

WELCOME

Dear Coach and Chaperone:

It is the objective of the Golden Goal™ staff to prepare you, your team and accompanying families with the necessary information before your arrival to ensure that your participation at the Park will be as enjoyable as possible. Our mission is to make Golden Goal the world’s greatest youth sports tournament experience for the coach, players, parents and family members in attendance. The first step in your preparation is to review the documents contained in your Coach’s Handbook to help you to understand your role as Coach/chaperone for your stay at Golden Goal. All Coaches/chaperones on your roster must also review the Handbook in its entirety. You can obtain a copy of this Handbook from your team contact or by going to <goldengoalsoccer.com> or <goldengoallacrosse.com> and downloading from the coach’s documents.

Golden Goal is a unique Youth Sports Tournament Park. The New York State Department of Health has issued permit umber 57-BD32 to Golden Goal to operate in this capacity.

The Safety and Supervision Guide that is enclosed in this Handbook needs to be reviewed so that all coaches and chaperones understand the procedures at Golden Goal. Thoroughly review the Safety and Supervision Guide so that you completely understand your role and obligations to the participants and Golden Goal.

Upon your arrival, all coaches and chaperones will be required to go through a Safety and Supervision training session that will be administered by a designated GOLDEN GOAL staff member. We suggest that you also review the contents of this Coach’s Handbook with your players and their parents in a special meeting prior to departing for Golden Goal. It is your responsibility to have all of the forms in the Team Coach’s Form Packet (available through download) on the registration page of <goldengoalsoccer.com> and <goldengoallacrosse.com> completed and presented in a binder at Registration on your day of arrival.

You should use the Tournament Checklist to ensure that you and your players arrive at Golden Goal with all the necessary documents and forms. Upon confirmation by the Golden Goal staff that all necessary documents and forms are complete, your team will then qualify to participate in the program.

If you have any questions, our office staff is available to assist your team to fully complete all requirements. Everyone at Golden Goal is looking forward to meeting you in this summer.

Golden Goal Tournament Park Staff

GENERAL ARRIVAL INFORMATION

For your travel convenience, teams are encouraged to take advantage of early check-in on Friday evening beginning at 8 p.m. Limited services are available (see special section in this information package).
Official registration will begin Saturday at 11:00 a.m. (ALL teams must officially register Saturday by 2 p.m.).
Each coach/chaperone on the roster is responsible for the safety of all players and must know their whereabouts at all times. Any participant leaving Golden Goal™ must sign in/out with his/her Coach/chaperone and security personnel.
Any authorized guardian removing participants, including their own child, will be required to complete a Sign-Out Form.
Parents and family members may enter the Athlete Village between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. (Saturday only) to help unload participants and equipment. No vehicles are permitted to enter the Athlete Village.
All participants and coaches/chaperones must attend orientation in the Village Dining Pavilion at 3:00 pm on Saturday.
Team dinner will be served in the Athlete Village Dining Pavilion starting at 3:15 pm.
All participants, coaches and referees must assemble in full uniform at 5:00 pm on Saturday at the Village entrance.
All parents and family members are invited to attend the family orientation, Opening Ceremony and Skills Competitions held on the Championship Field at 5:00 pm on Saturday.

TOURNAMENT SERVICES

24-Hour medical and certified first aid staff
24-Hour security
Free admission to all games and Sport Park activities
Free parking
On-site arcade
Team Challenge Course
Skills Zone for daily activities
Golden Gear Clothing and Souvenir Shop
Action and team photos available on site
Food is available at Golden Goal Snack Attack and Golden Goal Grille
An independent full service laundry service (pick-up, wash, dry, fold and deliver) is available for an additional fee
Discount tickets to Six Flags Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom as well as many other area attractions are available for family members to join the participants

EARLY FRIDAY CHECK-IN

Golden Goal™ teams may check-in on Friday evening starting between 8 pm and 10 pm.
Benefits:

Offers greater flexibility for scheduling of flights and drive times.
Teams will be relaxed and fresh for Saturday registration, the opening ceremony, and skills competition
No additional charge for Friday Early Check-In.
Early Check-In at the Dining Pavilion on FRIDAY (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) although no meals are provided on Friday night or Saturday morning.
Submission of all team forms prior to registration to make registering easier.
Team accommodations (roster participants and coaches only) – A Coach MUST be with participants at ALL times
24-hour Medical and first aid staff.
24-hour Security.

All teams that check-in on Friday must still register their teams and complete the team/individual photo sessions on Saturday.

LIMITED CAPACITY AVAILABLE – If you plan to take advantage of the Friday Early Check-in, you are required to register for this service. When making your final payment you must request an Early Check-in and receive confirmation from Golden Goal along with a designated arrival time.

WEEK ITINERARY

Friday (After 8:00 p.m.)

Early Check-In is offered for your travel convenience although there are limited services available and space must be reserved. The following services will be available to players and coaches/managers only:

Team accommodations in clubhouses
Medical Services
Security
Submission of team medical forms

Official registration will begin Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

Saturday: Between 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Check into Clubhouses. Parents and family members may enter the Athlete Village between 8 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Saturday only) to help unload participants and equipment. No vehicles will be allowed to enter the Athlete Village. Only the team contact is needed at registration to submit the forms for all team members with the following forms:

Agreement to Participate with Waiver and Release of Liability Forms
Health History and Examination Forms (attaching a copy of a recent physical is acceptable)
Copies of the participants Birth Certificates (please don’t bring originals)

To ensure uninterrupted participation, all forms must be completed and signed. The team contact must submit the required forms in a standard notebook/binder with the names in alphabetical order.
Coaches and adult chaperones must complete their Health History and Examination Forms but a doctor’s signature is not required.
Sign-up for the independent full service (pick up, wash, dry, fold and deliver) laundry service takes place during registration.
Coach/chaperone should READ and REVIEW the “Rules of Golden Goal” with all participants and parents!
Sign-up for individual and team picture session that will be taken prior to opening ceremonies.
Teams change into their club uniform for team and individual pictures
Parents and family members must exit the Athlete Village by 4:00 p.m. Parents may return to Sport Park (Parents’ Pavilion, Concession Area or Playing Area). A Golden Goal Barbecue Dinner is available for parents and family members in the Parents’ Pavilion Saturday (1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

Between 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

All teams report to Athlete Village Dining Pavilion for Orientation
Address by Golden Goal Directors

Dinner (first meal served at 3:15 p.m.)

At all times, teams must eat as a team unit in the Village Dining Pavilion.

5:00 p.m.

Family Orientation on Championship Field.

5:15 p.m. to Finish

All teams must assemble in the Athlete Village Dining Pavilion for Procession of Athletes, Opening Ceremony and Skills Competition dressed in their club uniforms.

10:00 p.m.

Coaches and Referees meeting in the Athlete Village Dining Pavilion.

Sunday through Wednesday

Tournament Play - Games scheduled daily (Sunday –Tuesday)
Team Building activities – teams are scheduled for sessions
Single-elimination Championship Tournament may begin Wednesday depending on the number of teams in age group.
A consolation game will be played by teams losing in the first round of the Championship Tournament
Visit the Lake George resort area during your free time at the coaches/chaperone’s discretion. Each team will be scheduled for a block(s) of time where no games are scheduled to enjoy the region.
Each coach/chaperone is responsible for the safety and whereabouts of participants at all times. Any participant leaving Golden Goal must sign in/out with his/her coach/chaperone and security personnel upon exiting Golden Goal. Any authorized guardian removing participants (including their child) are required to complete a Golden Goal Sign-Out Form. (Forms are available at Security booth and Retail Store.)
Lights Out by 11 p.m. NIGHTLY! (Please respect other teams.) Lights out may be pushed back to accommodate make-up games and special events.

Thursday

Playoffs continue at 8:00 a.m. (times subject to change based upon preliminary round and inclement weather)
Finals will be played on the Championship Field
7:00 p.m. - Procession of Athletes (in uniform), Closing Ceremony, Ring Presentation and Hall of Fame Induction.
Fireworks follow the induction ceremonies at dusk.

Friday Morning

Checkout and depart no later than 8:00 a.m. There will be no meal service on Friday.
Security and 24-hour medical staff on Golden Goal property

DAILY ITINERARY

Meals

Breakfast 7:00-9:00 a.m. Lunch 11:00 a.m-2:00 p.m. Dinner 5:00-8:30

(All meals served in the Athlete Village Dining Pavilion).

Game Times
Under normal conditions, time is provided for warm-up on the field prior to each game.

AM
8:00 9:15 10:30 11:45

PM
1:00 2:15 3:30 4:45 6:00 7:15 8:30

Other Activities

Team warm-ups and Practice
Team Building activities
Interactive Skill Zone contests
Golden Goal Arcade
Night time activities
Free time to explore the Lake George region and attractions

Safety and Supervision Guide

COACHES AND CHAPERONES

As part of the registration process, each coach and chaperone will be required to go through a training session covering the components of the Safety and Supervision Guide that will be administered by a designated Golden Goal™ staff member. All coaches and chaperones receive Safety and Supervision training in a scheduled session during their first day in the park. All coach and chaperone questions, comments or concerns shall be directed to Golden Goal Directors.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

In case of an emergency:

Medical: Ask someone to call for the medical staff. Identify your location and give a brief description of the condition of the patient. Call for a Park Director. Do not move the person and you should stay with the person until help arrives. Assist in controlling the scene so that medical personnel and emergency vehicles can access the scene.
Fire: Remove yourself and all others from the area. If you believe the fire can be controlled with a fire extinguisher, you may attempt to do so if you can also maintain an escape route.

Stay calm.
Call for a Golden Goal Director
Never go into a burning building.

Do not make statements about any incident to our guests, other employees or to any member of the media.
Do not give medical information about any guest or employee to any other person, other than medical personnel or the Golden Goal Director.

PARK HAZARD AREAS

Pathways and walkways are to be used at all times. Please do not take shortcuts where there is no designated access way.

FOOD PROTECTION

The Golden Goal food service plan provides for nutritious well-balanced meals, prepared from inspected sources, for all participants, coaches, chaperones, referees, staff members, and parents attending special meal functions. Food preparation and handling activities are reviewed regularly to assure safe and sanitary practices.

GENERAL OPERATIONS – MAINTENANCE

The Village Maintenance staff will clean the bathing facilities daily.
The Athlete Village grounds will be cleaned and inspected by the Village Maintenance Staff.
Coaches/Chaperones must supervise their team to keep the clubhouses clean and clear of clutter
The entire Golden Goal complex will be inspected for damage to power lines, trees, buildings, playing facilities and pathways by the Golden Goal Maintenance staff.
Trash will be collected throughout Golden Goal daily.

LEAVING THE PARK/PARKGROUND FACILITY

Golden Goal does not authorize or sponsor any out-of-park trips! However, it would be a lost opportunity for teams and their coaches when time permits, not to take advantage of the many events and tourist attractions that make the Lake George area one of the top family travel destinations in the U.S. In order to ensure that you shall be able to visit these attractions off-site the following procedures need to be followed:

Coaches and chaperones shall ensure that only participants that have endorsed Parental Authorization and Consent forms signed and on record at Golden Goal™, leave the Golden Goal facility. All participants that leave the Golden Goal Complex must be checked out using the Sign-out Form. The Sign-out Form is to be completely executed with the names of the participants clearly printed, the signature of the coach/chaperone and/or the signature of the guardian.

In the event that an authorized guardian desires to remove a participant from Golden Goal™ the coach or chaperone must sign the Checkout Form and the guardian must present the checkout form to the front gate security with their signature to properly exit or remove the participant. Upon return, front gate security will check the participant back into the park. Coaches must have a note on their roster of those participants that are leaving with a parent/guardian to ensure 100% accountability.

All coaches or chaperones must abide by the “Rules of Golden Goal” (a copy of which is provided in your “Coach’s Handbook”) and report any violations of the rules or any public health hazards (any condition which could be expected to be responsible for illness, physical injury or death) to a Golden Goal Director.

SUPERVISION

Team Supervision

Coaches or chaperones must be with their team at all times and stress order and togetherness by moving as a team.
Coaches or chaperones must have their team roster with them at all times.
Do not move the team unless all team members are accounted for at the moment. If a participant is unaccounted for, coaches and chaperones must notify a member of the Golden Goal staff. Coaches or chaperones should not attempt to form search parties for missing participants.
Visual or verbal communications capabilities must exist between participants and their coaches or chaperones during all activities.
In the event a participant needs to visit the medical staff, a coach or chaperone or designated member of the Golden Goal staff will escort them to the Medical Services Building.
Clubhouse cleaning will be supervised by the Coaches/chaperones, with the assistance of the Golden Goal Village Maintenance staff.
Golden Goal staff members will perform daily inspections.
Coaches and chaperones shall ensure that any participant leaving Golden Goal be signed out utilizing the Sign-Out Form.
All teams must provide a $200 security deposit upon check in to insure proper activity within the clubhouses and assign accountability for damage to each team.
No sport equipment of any kind is permitted to be used in the Athlete Village.

Transportation

Only the truck cab shall be occupied when transporting participants in a truck. No participants shall be transported in the bed of a truck.
There shall be at least one coach or chaperone in any vehicle transporting participants, who may also be the driver.
Every vehicle used for transporting staff or participants must bear a valid inspection sticker.
All passengers in vehicles so equipped shall utilize seat belts.
Occupancy of passenger vehicles shall be limited to its rated capacity
Sign-out procedure shall be followed for transportation leaving Golden Goal.

Lake George Shuttle Bus

Shuttle transportation for participants and coaches to Lake George Village and Six Flags is arranged by Golden Goal on a limited basis.
All teams will have use of the shuttle bus at designated times.
Sign-out procedure shall be followed while using the Lake George shuttle buses

SAFETY

1) Evacuation

The Park Director will coordinate the Strategic Evacuation Plan if conditions require the process. The Evacuation will be signaled by an AIR-HORN signal with 3 short blasts. In the event of an evacuation, all participants will exit their clubhouses single file (without running) through the front door exit of their clubhouse or if the door is blocked they will exit through the rear egress window. Once leaving the clubhouse the team should proceed to the Athlete Village Dining area unless a hazard exist there at which point they will be instructed to assemble down by the sports fields. Coaches/chaperones are responsible for controlling and containing their teams during this process.

2) Fire Prevention

Fire Extinguishers and electric smoke detectors have been placed in every clubhouse team unit. Should a smoke alarm go off, all occupants of that clubhouse unit should report the occurrence to the Medical Building Staff and proceed as per the Evacuation Plan to the Dining tent.

Coaches/chaperones can utilize the fire extinguishers if the fire hazard can be contained using them without causing personal harm.
No open flame of any type (including open flame heaters) or any cooking by Golden Goal guests is permitted.
Fire extinguishers will be inspected and tested by an authorized state inspection company

3 Electrical Safety

All guests should use common sense when using electrical outlets in clubhouses and bathhouses. Do not overload any single outlet with multiple devices at one time.

4) Clubhouse Exit

All exits are clearly marked. It is the responsibility of the coaches/chaperones to maintain a clear path between beds and keep the area clutter free.

5) Weather and Weather Monitoring

The Park Directors continually monitor the weather to make informed decisions in response to the current weather conditions. In response to inclement weather, you are required to think safety and adhere to the following guidelines:

Do not seek shelter in smaller tents
Do not give any directions to guests unless you are instructed to do so by a Golden Goal Director.
If the Golden Goal Park Director makes the decision to evacuate the Golden Goal Sport Park due to heavy rain or high winds, coaches and players must congregate in wooden buildings (including teams returning to their clubhouse) and family members should returning to their cars.
Report to a Golden Goal Director after the situation is resolved to determine what procedures will be followed for reopening or closing the Sport Park.
Once the hazardous weather has passed, one long signal on the air-horn will be sounded to resume normal activity
Be mindful of the possibility of wires and tree limbs coming down in heavy storms and keep a safe distance from them.

6) Lightning Plan

In the event of a lightning storm, all outside activity will be suspended immediately. The Golden Goal Park Director will sound a long blast on the emergency air-horn alarm system to signal the suspension of play.
When a scheduled activity is suspended by a storm, participants, coaches and chaperones will seek shelter in their Athlete Village clubhouses and other guests and family members will be directed to their private vehicles. The Athlete Village and Parent Dining Tents have been grounded against lightning strikes, but the other temporary structures (e.g. smaller tents) should not be used for shelter from lightning and high windstorms. Also, you must stay at least 10’ away from the pole supports in the Village and Parent tents.
All participants will be instructed to assemble in their Athlete Village clubhouses in the event of a lightning storm. In the event that participants are caught away from their clubhouses, they will be instructed as follows:

Do not use any telephones except in an emergency.
Stay away from telephone or power lines, poles and tall, isolated trees.
Avoid wire fences, pipes, metal poles, and other good electrical conductors.
Stay inside vehicles.

7) Lost Participant Plan

Coaches and chaperones must have their team roster with them at all times. Coaches and chaperones should move as a team, account for all participants, and alert the Golden Goal staff for any lost participant. Coaches and chaperones are to provide the lost participant’s full name, height, weight, hair color, where last seen, and how the participant was dressed.

8) Medical Services

Medical personnel are available at Golden Goal 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
On-site medical personnel will implement the Park's medical plan providing care for the staff, coaches, chaperones and participants, either by direct provision service or by making the proper arrangements to have services provided by appropriate health care providers.
All participant and staff injuries, illnesses and known diseases shall be reported to the Park Medical Director.
Medications, including insulin, shall be administered at the Medical Building under the guidelines of the Medical staff. All medications shall be turned in to the Park Medical Director on the day of registration and shall be kept in a locked cabinet in the Medical Building. The only medications that will be allowed in the clubhouse will be properly marked inhalers and bee sting kits. Any other medication that must be injected by another person (i.e., allergy shots) will be administered by the Park Medical Director or a registered certified nurse.
Special medical needs will be reviewed by the Park Medical Director and referred, if necessary to the appropriate division at Glens Falls Hospital.
Participants with special needs will be monitored by the Park Medical Director.
Heat exhaustion is a major concern. All coaches and chaperones will be required to monitor activity and to provide water breaks as needed. The Medical Building staff will maintain a supply of cold drinks to be used in cases of minor dehydration, and will be prepared to cool participants by showers and care of the participant in the Medical Building until a determination is made to allow the participant to return to normal activity. More advanced cases of heat exhaustion and dehydration will be transported to Glens Falls Hospital for evaluation and treatment
All participants will be instructed to wear sunscreen at all times during the day. Coaches and chaperones should continuously monitor the use of sunscreen by the participants. The Park Health Director will supervise any participant who is over exposed to sun in the Park Medical Facility until a determination is made to allow the participant to return to normal activity.
Participants and staff will be instructed not to go near any animals on the Golden Goal grounds and to report immediately any suspicious activity of animals seen on the grounds. There will be no food allowed in the clubhouses as a deterrent to unwanted animals in the sleeping areas.
All allegations of child abuse and/or sexual abuse shall be immediately investigated by the Park Medical Director and the Park Director and reported to the appropriate New York State Agencies.
All medications received by the Park Medical Director shall be returned to the participant at the end of the participant's stay and documented by the Park Medical Director. Any medications not reclaimed by the participant shall be disposed of after the participant has departed the park. In no instance shall medication be kept and used for another participant or staff member.
The Medical Building has two isolation rooms available for use to allow participants to be segregated from the main body of the participants and supervised by the Park Medical Director. In the event of a need for a large facility for isolation, the clubhouse immediately adjacent to the Medical Facility will be designated as an isolation area.
The need for chronic medical treatment will be evaluated to determine whether such treatment is to be given on-site or whether it will be required to have such treatment given at Glens Falls Hospital.
The Park Medical Director shall have an emergency kit with supplies that can be transported throughout the facility for use in case of medical emergency.

TOURNAMENT CHECKLIST

Be sure that ALL participants bring the following:
Completed Forms

Participants:

Signed Agreement to Participate with Waiver and Release of Liability Form (participant and parent)
Signed Park Health History and Examination Form. (Physician signature required for all players)
A Copy of Birth Certificate, Passport (International Participants) or State/National Photo

Coaches/Chaperones

Signed Waiver and Release of Liability Form
Signed Park Health History and Examination Form

Items Needed

All protective equipment
Sleeping bag (or sheets and blanket) and pillow/pillowcase
Toiletries and towels.
Long pants and lightweight jacket.
Rain gear and flashlight
For showering, bring shower shoes and swimming trunks.
Combination lock for personal lockers.
Optional Laundry Service is available for an additional charge. Laundromats are located within 15 minutes of Golden Goal™ for those coaches/managers that wish to complete their own laundry services.

RULES OF GOLDEN GOAL™

Players and Coaches

Coaches/chaperones must be in visual and verbal contact with their team members at all times.
Teams must stay together and must also dine as a unit.
Please clean up your tables after each meal.
Each Coach/chaperone is responsible for the safety of participants and must know their whereabouts at all times.
Sign-Out Form must be used when participants enter and exit Golden Goal with coach, parent or guardian
There are specific designated practice areas and there is no ball playing or use of equipment in the Athlete Village. Do not enter Restricted Areas identified by signs are posted throughout the park.
Bathhouses and clubhouses are to be kept clean. Conservation and recycling are a high priority. Please limit shower time to 2-3 minutes
Safety comes first at all times. No horseplay or roughhousing of any kind. Do not jump on/move bunk beds or stand on footlockers.
No bare feet at any time. Use shower shoes for protection and keep articles of clothing out of shower area. No team or participant is permitted to shower without supervision. It is the coach’s responsibility to ensure that all showers are turned off following team use.
Each clubhouse has been equipped with brooms, a dustpan, mattress covers, and lockers, which must remain in the clubhouse. Teams are responsible for daily cleanup (sweep floor, empty trash and make beds daily). Clubhouses are inspected daily.
No washing of uniforms in bathhouse facilities. Laundry service is available within 15 minutes of the park for self-service or via pick-up and delivery full service for a reasonable fee.
A security deposit is required from each team and the funds will be released upon satisfactory inspection of the clubhouses upon check-out. All damaged or missing property will be charged at full replacement cost.
Please bring lost and found items to the Medical Building. Golden Goal is not responsible for lost items.

All Guests

Coolers, outside food, or beverages of any kind are not permitted in the Park.
Visitor Parking is limited to lot #1 and lot #2
No pets are allowed on Golden Goal property
Do not enter restricted areas
No vehicles are allowed inside the Athlete Village
Smoking will only be allowed in designated areas.
Do not throw stones anywhere in the park
No profanity or fighting will be tolerated
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Please bring all stray items found in the park to the security booth at the Golden Goal entrance. Items lost in the Athlete Village should be brought to the Medical Building.
In the event of severe weather, teams will be directed to return to their clubhouses and parents/guests will be directed to their vehicles until further notification. The large Parent and Village Tents are grounded, but you must stay more than 10 feet from support poles.
No recreational vehicles (RV/campers) are permitted to park overnight on Golden Goal property.

Please note: These rules are not all-inclusive. Common sense should be used at all times.
Parents and guests of Golden Goal assume all risk and danger of personal injury, losses, damages to person or property and all hazards arising from or related in any way to the events at Golden Goal that they are attending. Golden Goal management reserves the right to refuse admission or eject any person whose conduct is deemed by management to be disorderly or who fails to comply with the rules and regulations of Golden Goal.