SafeDefend Teams Up with #NOTYOURDAUGHTER and Kansas State Youth
Soccer Association to Educate Soccer Clubs and Coaches in Kansas
On the Best Practices for Safe, Appropriate and Positive Adult/Youth Athlete
Relationships
Kansas City, Kansas—July 1st, 2021— SafeDefend, LLC, the nation’s leading provider of
comprehensive crisis management solutions, announced today, in collaboration with
#NOTYOURDAUGHTER an advocacy organization focused on protecting children from
predatory behavior, it’s partnership with the Kansas State Youth Soccer Association (KSYSA).
The collaboration will provide comprehensive training for coaches, staff and parents to better
understand appropriate adult/youth relationships. This includes educating KSYSA club
members on signs of grooming, identification of the beginning stages of an inappropriate
relationship, and effective ways for the club to respond to better and fully protect the athletes
under it’s care. In addition, SafeDefend will offer policy analysis and support to ensure clubs are
safe, positive and successful places for youth athletes for years to come.
“KSYSA is excited to partner with both SafeDefend and #NOTYOURDAUGHTER. These
relationships will help us offer services that will help us improve the player experience and give
coaches, clubs and club administrators the tools and the support the club in creating policies
that will help protect our children from situations that put players at-risk and support the young
person if the find them self in a uncomfortable situation with an adult.” Joe Burger, Executive
Director, Kansas State Youth Soccer Association.
“Providing clubs, coaches and staff with the critical information needed to prevent or effectively
respond to potentially harmful situations is vital for the health of youth sports. Empowering
KSYSA clubs with the knowledge to ensure adult interactions with youth athletes are positive
and safe is critical in the success of the athlete, the club and the sport.” said Jeff Green,
President of SafeDefend.
#NOTYOURDAUGHTER will work in conjunction with SafeDefend, LLC to provide essential
skills and proactive education in preventing and handling these harmful situations.
“As we continue to see more and more situations where adults and coaches cross the line with
youth athletes, our goal is to ensure clubs associated with KSYSA are the best prepared to
protect our children and allow our athletes to focus on soccer.” Kristyn Antunucci, founder of
#NOTYOURDAUGHTER
This initiative is especially important because we have seen numerous cases of popular and
experienced coaches facing allegations of misconduct or predatory behavior. The vast majority
of influencers on our athletes have only the best intentions for growth and advancement in
soccer. Just one adult, crossing the line creates a tragic ripple effect throughout an organization
and families.
Interviews available.
About SafeDefend
SafeDefend™ offers the most comprehensive system available to respond to a crisis.
SafeDefend™ provides biometric access to a system of notification and response. Staff and law
enforcement are immediately notified of the exact location of the crisis. With the touch of the
finger, your facility can be locked down in seconds and help is on the way faster than any other
solution available.
About #NOTYOURDAUGHTER
#NOTYOURDAUGHTER is an advocacy organization focused on protecting children from
predatory behavior, strengthening state and federal legislation, updating state statutes that
relate to punishing predatory actions, and educating organizations about reporting, grooming,
and warning signs to better protect children and keep them safe.
About Kansas State Youth Soccer Association
Kansas State Youth Soccer Association, Inc. (KSYSA) is a member of the US Soccer
Federation (USSF) and US Youth Soccer, and was officially recognized in 1981 as the
sanctioned youth soccer organization for the state of Kansas. It is a not-for-profit Kansas
corporation, allowing tax deductible donations and contributions to the fullest extent of the law.
Kansas Youth Soccer has a current membership base of over 26,000 youth players, 1,600
active coaches, 1,600 referees and thousands of volunteers through its network of over 30
affiliate member leagues/clubs across the state of Kansas.
