Coach Code of Conduct

1. Parent-Routed Communication

All communication with athletes on the GuardNIL platform is routed through the athlete's parent or legal guardian. Coaches may send broadcast messages to the team channel; individual messages to athletes are delivered via the parent's inbox. Direct 1-on-1 communication between a coach and a minor athlete outside the parent-routing channel is strictly prohibited.

2. No 1-on-1 Contact with Minors

Consistent with SafeSport MAAPP electronic communication standards, coaches must not initiate or engage in private 1-on-1 electronic communications with minor athletes through any channel — including GuardNIL, personal email, text message, or social media direct message. All communications must be visible to the parent and, where possible, include a second adult.

3. Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Abuse

Coaches are mandatory reporters. If a coach becomes aware of or reasonably suspects abuse, neglect, or exploitation of any minor on the platform — whether through platform communications or otherwise — they must:

1. Report immediately to local law enforcement or child protective services
2. Report to the U.S. Center for SafeSport if the abuse involves an Olympic or Paralympic sport
3. Notify GuardNIL at safety@guardnilu.com within 24 hours

Failure to report is a violation of this Code and may result in immediate account suspension and referral to authorities.

4. SafeSport Alignment

All coaches using GuardNIL agree to comply with the U.S. Center for SafeSport's Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP). This includes:

• No one-on-one electronic communications with minors
• No requiring athletes to keep communications confidential from parents
• No transportation of a minor athlete without parental consent
• Maintaining professional boundaries at all times

5. Content Standards

Coaches must not post or broadcast content that:

• Is sexually suggestive, violent, or abusive
• Targets or demeans individual athletes
• Promotes substance use
• Contains advertising or commercial endorsements not approved by GuardNIL
• Violates the privacy of any athlete or family member

All coach broadcast messages are screened by GuardNIL's AI sensitivity classifier before delivery. Messages that fail screening are blocked and logged.

6. Account Suspension Grounds

GuardNIL reserves the right to immediately suspend a coach's account for:

• Violation of the 1-on-1 communication prohibition
• Failure to report suspected abuse
• Harassment, bullying, or abuse of any platform user
• Misuse of athlete performance data
• Any conduct that poses a risk to minor athletes
• Violation of applicable law

7. Acknowledgment

By completing coach onboarding, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with this Code of Conduct in its entirety. Your acknowledgment is logged with a timestamp, IP address, and version number.

Questions about this Code: safety@guardnilu.com