SAFE PLAY PROGRAM

The USTA is committed to making every tennis experience an enjoyable and memorable one. To do so, we rely on the thousands of dedicated volunteers, coaches, officials, members, independent contractors, consultants and staff who contribute in their way to each event or program.  

To ensure a safe and fun environment for all participants, the USTA, in collaboration with the U.S. Center for SafeSport, has developed the Safe Play Program. All USTA Verified providers in Net Generation must complete a background screening, online training, and accept additional guidelines.

“Consistent abuse-prevention training across the Olympic Movement’s 50 national governing bodies is critical for keeping athletes safe and ensuring that adults who work with youth clearly understand their roles and responsibilities,” said Regis Becker, Interim CEO of the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

“The Center appreciates USTA’s commitment, leadership and support of putting an athlete’s well-being first and creating respectful sport environments across the country.”

THE SAFE PLAY PROGRAM INCLUDES:

SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. HOW DOES A PROVIDER KNOW IF THEIR BACKGROUND SCREEN IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE OR HAS ALREADY EXPIRED?

You will receive email notifications from Net Generation that your Safe Play compliance is close to being expired. Also, if you are 30 days away from expiration you can log in to your Net Generation account and you will see a summary status of all of your Safe Play steps. You can also go to the ‘Provider Tools’ menu, under ‘Provider Information’ and scroll to the bottom to see your "Safe Play Program" check status. If the ‘Safe Play Program Status’ is no longer approved, please use this link to renew your NCSI background check.

If you do not renew your background screen, you will immediately lose all approved provider benefits including access to the Net Generation app, and your profile and/or programs will be unless on NetGeneration.com.

Q. HOW OFTEN DO PROVIDERS NEED TO RENEW THEIR NCSI BACKGROUND CHECK?

All USTA providers will have to renew their NCSI background check every two (2) years. Once expired, your NCSI applicant ID will no longer be valid and you will lose access to all approved provider benefits, including your profile/program information being listed on NetGeneration.com, and searchable on the app. All providers can log in to start the renewal process for Net Generation.

Q. HOW OFTEN DO PROVIDERS NEED TO RENEW THEIR SAFE SPORT COURSE?

All USTA providers will have to renew their NCSI background check every year. The US Center for SAfe Sport is implementing a new 90 minute course that every applicant has to take at least once. Once an applicant completes the 90 minute informative course then they will have to take a 30 minute refresher course every year. Once your course expires, you will lose access to all approved provider benefits, including your profile/program information being listed on NetGeneration.com, and searchable on the app. All providers can log in to start the renewal process for Net Generation.

Q. I CAN’T FIND MY 16 DIGIT NCSI ID. CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO RETRIEVE IT?

NCSI sends a confirmation email with your 16 digit NCSI registrant ID and also shows you your ID on the last page of the background screen. If you cannot locate the email in your inbox you can retrieve your ID by completing the following steps:

1. Go to website www.ncsisafe.com.

2. At the bottom of your screen, you’ll see a box “Check Your Background Screening Status”, select that box.

3. Enter the required information into option 1 (name, SSN, DOB).

4. Select Submit.

5. Click on "view details" to retrieve your Registrant ID.

Q. WHO DO I CONTACT IF I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BACKGROUND CHECK PROCESS?

You can contact NCSI directly at Phone: (866) 833-7100 or clientservices@ncsisafe.com for help with your background screen application. Our USTA Safe Play Support team can also be contacted at safeplay@usta.com 

Q. I’VE COMPLETED ALL 3-STEPS OF THE USTA SAFE PLAY PROGRAM. HOW CAN I CHECK TO SEE THE STATUS OF MY ACCOUNT?

Thank you for completing all 3-steps of the USTA Safe Play Program. We know that took a lot of effort and we appreciate the time you have put into this. It usually takes around 5-7 days for your application to be reviewed. Please make sure you type your NCSI registrant ID into your Net Generation profile in the "Provider Information" tab. You can check on your status by following these steps:

1. Log in to your Net Generation Account.

2. Click on the “Provider Tools Menu”.

3. Select "Provider Profile” from the drop down menu.

4. Click on the "Provider Information" tab.

5. Scroll to bottom of page to see your “Safe Play Program Status”.

Q. WHO IS NATIONAL CENTER FOR SAFETY INITIATIVES (NCSI)?

The USTA has been working with the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) since 2010. Since that time, NCSI has been performing background screens on behalf of the USTA for USTA Certified Officials, Player Development contractors, massage therapists, athletic trainers, various other USTA contractors, and Junior Team Tennis volunteers (since 2013). Overall NCSI has performed over 35,000 background screens for the USTA alone. In addition to the USTA, NCSI’s client base spans thousands of organizations, from other national governing bodies as well as the United States Olympic Committee to local grassroots leagues and teams.

Q. I THOUGHT I COMPLETED ALL 3-STEPS BUT I STILL DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE WEBSITE?

Thank you for completing all 3 steps of the USTA Safe Play Program. Please make sure you type in your 16 digit NCSI applicant ID in your Net Generation account. You can do it by following these steps:

1. Log back into your Net Generation account it should take you back to Safe Play registration page.

2. Click “Next.”

3. Under the question: “Did you complete the Safe Play Page”.

4. Click “YES” and enter your 16 digit NCSI Applicant ID into the boxes and click “Submit”.