INFORMATION ON USARS Background Information on Amateur Sports Note: This information packet is intended only a guideline to help walk you through the application process and understand the benefits they offer. It is in no way intended to replace any publication provided by USARS. You can find their information online at www.usarollersports.org. The forms for all applications are included as hyperlinks within the document but are also available on their website. Who is USARS? In 1978, the U.S. Congress passed the Amateur Sports Act, which included the following section [Section 201]: “For any sport which is included on the program of the Olympic Games or the Pan-American Games, the Corporation [United States Olympic Committee] is authorized to recognize as a national governing body an amateur sports organization which files an application and is eligible for such recognition, in accordance with the provision of subsection (b) of this section.” USARS, USA Roller Sports, is the officially recognized national governing body for roller skating. The specific disciplines they govern (maintain rules, train officials, determine national teams, compete internationally, etc) include figure skating, speed skating and roller hockey. However, they currently allow recreational clubs to apply for membership and enjoy limited benefits affiliated with the organization. Is USARS our National Governing Body? No. Currently they do not recognize us as a discipline covered in their rules or mentioned in their bylaws, nor do they organize competition, train officials, allow representation of our athletes on their Board of Directors or offer any of the benefits enjoyed by the recognized disciplines. Plainly stated, USARS DOES NOT currently govern FTD. So what about USARS and FTD? USARS does, however, recognize us as an active part of the skating community and allow our leagues to register as “charter clubs.” The benefits they provide primarily include limited secondary health insurance and extra event insurance for competitions. USARS: Do we have to use them? No. Not every league goes through USARS, but it is an affordable way to bump up the amount of insurance you can offer your skaters. There are lots of insurance companies out there and you may be able to find one willing to work with you to provide better liability insurance coverage for your league and increased secondary health for your athletes. Getting Started Waivers As with every sport, there are inherent risks involved in the sport of flat track derby (FTD). Regardless of your insurance coverage, it is wise to have every league member sign a release or waiver that acknowledges the risks of the sport, including everything from loss of property to broken bones to dismemberment to death, and that indicates that they are responsible for wearing proper safety equipment. Refer to USOC Waiver for a sample waiver used by the United States Olympic Committee. NOTE: Before having any skater sign a waiver, it is best to have it reviewed by a lawyer to make certain you are abiding by any state restrictions and not infringing on skaters’ rights. Individual Memberships Each member of you league needs to join USARS using the Individual Membership Application Form. The application fee per skater is $35 and must be renewed annually in September, although they accept applications throughout the year. A photocopy of birth verification is required and must be attached for first-time members. Benefits For Individuals According to the USARS website, all individual members should receive: Electronic Extreme Sports Vision Newsletter Subscription for all remaining issues of USA Rollersports magazine published during the current skating season. Supplemental Accident Insurance Stickers More benefits may be available, however, since Extreme Skating is not outlined in their bylaws, it is difficult to determine. When in doubt, contact USARS directly. For Your League According the bylaws for USARS, all FTD leagues are registered as Class IV clubs. This means that, if in good standing, your league may apply for event sanctions and receives insurance coverage at supervised practices at your designated practice facility. According to their website, your club also receives: Liabilty, castastrophic and excess medical insurance coverage for all registered extreme sports (aggressive/skateboarding) participants and the league itself for all USA Roller Sports official practices and sanctioned events A certificate of insurance is available upon request for each club along with any additional insured that you may wish to list Subscription to USA Roller Sports Extreme Sports Electronic Newsletter Extreme Sports rules and regulations Access to USA Roller Sports mailing labels for Extreme Sports Clubs and Officials in your area Membership registration and verification from the national office via telephone, fax or e-mail Opportunity to host USA Roller Sports extreme sports local, state, regional, national and international events Opportunity to host extreme sport camps, clinics and festivals for participants, trainers and officials Marketing and membership resource materials and assistance Insurance What is covered? Registered USARS member skaters are provided with excess (secondary) accident/medical expense benefits in the amount of $25,000 for injuries occurring ON SKATES at organized and supervised practices held at your chartered club facility or USARS sanctioned competition. A club officer MUST supervise the event and that individual will be required to certify the validity of the claim. Please note that coverage is not extended to: Training off skates Training outside of chartered club facilities Injury occurring while on skates but not training for USARS competitions Sickness Pre-existing conditions, including any conditions for which treatment was received within 6 months prior to such injury Re-injury (considered a pre-existing condition) Deductible A $2000 deductible is applied per accident before any benefits are payable. Secondary accident medical reimbursement will pay 100% of the excess over payment by your primary plan. Proof of these payments must be submitted to the claims payer. If you have no other insurance coverage, you will be responsible for the first $2000 in medical and/or dental expenses. Benefits Accident Death and Dismemberment $10,000: The full amount is payable upon death or a scheduled amount for a variety of dismemberment (loss of limb or complete loss of use of that limb). Medical Expense $25,000: The total payable benefit per accident. Dental Expense $1,500: The total payable benefit per accident for sound and natural teeth. Orthopedic Appliances and Braces $250.00: The total payable benefit per accident. Outpatient Physical Therapy $250.00: The total payable benefit per accident. Submitting a Claim USA Rollersports will mail claims forms to your club president upon notification to USARS that an injury has occurred. Your club president must verify the rink circumstances and when the injury occurred. To initiate the claims process, contact USARS at 402-483-7551 within 30 days of the accident. Event Sanctions Insurance Benefits Once you have a club charter and coverage for your members (skaters and refs) then you can use event insurance to cover individual bouts. Getting your bouts sanctioned by USARS provides supplemental accident insurance to your skaters if injured while competing. If your bout is held at your practice facility, USARS provides $1,000,000 special event liability insurance to cover damage done to the venue, track, spectators, etc. If your bout is not held at your chartered club facility, you can purchase the above special event liability insurance for $100/day. Please note that this in addition to any event sanction fees. Liability Insurance Application Application Requirements You can complete one of two sanction applications: 1. Indoor Event Sanction Application 2. Outdoor Event Sanction Application Be sure to carefully read that safety requirements Either form must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the event and submit full payment with the sanction application. If you submit your application late, you may be subject to late fees ($50) and run the risk of being denied the sanction. The fees are as follows: 1. INTRA LEAGUE $5.00 per event that takes place with only skaters from your own league. This would cover your regular season games that are for your teams only. 2. INTER LEAGUE $50.00 per event that includes other USARS member clubs. This type of sanction would cover inter-league bouts. Both applications mention a $2/skater fee, but this is only for artistic or speed athletes and does not apply to FTD. However, proper care must be taken to follow all safety specifications for track set-up (see the Speed Meet Safety Requirements on the application forms). Sanctioning Events With Non-USARS Members Should your league wish to compete against a non-USARS league, USARS offers single event memberships, which includes the $25,000 medical accident insurance. In the past, the fee was $15 per event per skater. However, you should contact USARS for complete details on this unique type of membership..