1. Upper Township Coaches Form: All volunteer coaches must complete the Upper Township Sports and Rec Volunteer Coaches Form. This must be completed for each sport that you coach.

2. NAYS Training: You must complete required National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) online training

There are 5 trainings through NAYS to complete to serve as a volunteer soccer coach. These trainings are all included in your membership. For new coaches, please review the PDF attachment below for setting up your NAYS account! By following the steps in the PDF, your membership will charge directly to Upper Township.

Trainings to be completed:

2. 1. 1. Coaching Youth Sports

      2. Basic Youth Sports Safety & First Aid Training

      3. Soccer - Specific Training

      4. Concussion Training

      5. Protecting Youth Athletes for Coaches

Courses will track your progress and save as you go if you are unable to complete them at once. At the end of each course, you will receive a certificate with a member number. Please retain this certificate. Coaches must be certified in each sport that they coach. Completion of these NAYS trainings provides the insurance needed to coach in Upper Township. Without this you are not able to coach. 

Returning Coaches: If you have an expired NAYS account, contact the Upper Township Recreation Office and they will renew it!

3. Background Check:

1. • Every 3 years. Mandatory requirement from the Township for coaching. NO EXCEPTIONS

   • NEW Background checks will be automatically paid for by Upper Township. No need to provide payment. 

   • Please use the following link to to complete the background check:  https://securevolunteer.com/upper-township-org-pay/home

4. Email copies of all completed certificates and receipts for any expenses to Larry Cole, UT Sports and Rec Leader at (recreationdepartment@uppertownship.com).  If you incur costs due to an overlap in new policy for Spring 2026, please forward NAYS or BChex Receipt to the Recreation Office for reimbursement. Note that these are handled in batches, so it is not an immediate response. If expedited response is required follow up with an additional email. Please include your home address and contact information. Email address for the Recreation Office is (RecreationDepartment@UpperTownship.com)

If there are any questions or concerns regarding this process, please feel free to contact Larry Cole, Upper Township Recreation Secretary at (lcole@uppertownship.com) or (609) 628-2011 – Ext. 248.