April's MLS W.O.R.K.S. Player of the Month -- reached out to the Ellias family and brought them to RFK Stadium to see his D.C. United team defeat Toronto FC 4-1 in the 2007 season.
McTavish has also given his support to the Hayden Barnes Ellias Memorial Fund, attending the HBE Free Soccer Camps and enlisting the services of D.C. United to help distribute soccer goal safety flyers.
Like McTavish and the Hayden Barnes Ellias Memorial Fund, MLS W.O.R.K.S. believes that keeping the soccer playing field safe is crucial. Movable goals are widely used, as they allow for variety and safe storage, yet they are also prone to tip over easily when not safely anchored.
To help prevent such occurrences MLS W.O.R.K.S. asks players, coaches, officials, parents, volunteers and associations to follow a simple soccer goal safety checklist.
Pregame: Before the use of movable goals
• Are all soccer goals anchored securely in place?
• Is the correct anchor being used to secure the goal?
• Sample anchors
• Peg / stake
• J-Hook stake
• Sandbags / counterweights
• Net pegs
• Have the players / users been informed of the dangers and proper use of movable goals?
• Are the goals checked before every use?
• Are safety and warning labels placed visibly on the goalposts and crossbar?
Game time: During the use of movable goals
• Never allow children to move soccer goals.
• Only authorized, trained personnel should move goals.
• Never allow anyone to climb or swing from the net and / or goal frame.
• Remind players to always practice with a buddy.
Postgame: After the use of movable goals
• Are the goals correctly stored?
• Are the nets removed?
• Have the goal frames been placed face-to-face and secured with a lock / chain?
• Have the goals been moved to a storage room?
• Are the goals taken apart during the off-season?
Since Hayden's death in 2007 three more people have suffered fatal injuries in goal related accidents. The total number of deaths since 1979 now stands at 35. MLS W.O.R.K.S. invites you to join us in spreading the importance of soccer goal safety. Practicing soccer goal safety can create a safe environment, at all times, for everyone to enjoy the game of soccer to its fullest.
For more information on the annual HBE Free Soccer Camps visit the Blue Ridge Youth Soccer Association's website at www.brysa.org. Donations to the Hayden Barnes Ellias Memorial Fund can be mailed to: Hayden Barnes Ellias Memorial Fund, c/o Michele Hutton, 124 Slippery Elm Dr., Stephens City, VA 22655.
To learn more about soccer goal safety visit www.anchoredforsafety.org.
Patrick Thurston is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
