Interested in coaching?

URA is run entirely by volunteers, and we need your help each year to make our sports programs thrive. We’re looking for coaches and volunteers to support our teams, and it takes a whole community of committed leaders, coaches, helpers, and parents to make everything work smoothly.

Our main goals are to teach the basics of each sport, enhance players' skills and teamwork, encourage good sportsmanship, and most importantly, ensure everyone has fun!

If you’re interested in coaching (whether as a head coach or an assistant) or helping in any volunteer capacity, you’ll need to complete a background check to get started. 

Join us and be a part of something great!

URA Youth Sports Background Clearance Instructions

URA uses Protect Youth Sports (PYS) for background checks. All Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Volunteers must complete a 3-step process through PYS. Follow these instructions carefully:

Important Notes:

• All clearances must be processed through PYS. We do not accept email copies of documents or clearances obtained through other means.
• We are not affiliated with school districts and cannot access school clearances. Regardless of any existing clearances, you must complete the process through PYS to ensure URA has a record of your background check.
• Clearances are valid for 5 years, except for baseball and softball, which require checks every 2 years per Babe Ruth Little League (BRLL) standards (more info below). 
• High school students do not need to complete background checks. You will be contacted directly with coaching requirements.

Step #1: Initiate the Background Check

1. Go to Protect Youth Sports.
2. Select your sport and role to begin the process.
3. PYS will run your PA Criminal Background Check.

Step #2: Complete the PA Child Abuse Clearance

1. After completing the initial application, PYS will email you instructions for the PA Child Abuse Clearance.
2. The email will include a PDF guide titled “PA Child Abuse History Clearance Navigation Manual” and a code.
3. Complete the PA Child Abuse Clearance application (about 20 minutes). Enter the provided code to have the certificate sent directly to PYS.
4. If you already have a PA Child Abuse Clearance from another organization, follow the instructions in the email to submit your existing certificate.

Step #3: Obtain an FBI Fingerprint Background Check

If You Have Lived in Pennsylvania for the Last 10 Consecutive Years: Email [email protected] to confirm your residence in Pennsylvania for the past 10 years.

If You Have Not Lived in Pennsylvania for the Last 10 Consecutive Years but Have an FBI Fingerprint Background Check Certificate from the Last 12 Months: Send a copy of the certificate to [email protected] with the subject line: [SPORT] + Background Check. We will verify and respond promptly.

If You Have Not Lived in Pennsylvania for the Last 10 Consecutive Years and Need a New FBI Fingerprint Background Check: Follow these steps

1.      Schedule an appointment via IdentoGo.

2.      Enter service code: 1KG6ZJ at the top of the page

3.      Choose to schedule or manage an appointment.

4.      Complete the brief application (about 10 minutes) and schedule an appointment.

5.      Send the appointment confirmation email to [email protected] to be added to the coaching roster.

6.      Once you receive your results, email the document to [email protected]. Your coaching status depends on the results of your fingerprint clearance.

Final Steps:

• After PYS completes your background check, you will receive an email from URA confirming your clearance status. Allow about 5 days for the results.
• Any fees incurred are your responsibility. If you need reimbursement, send a copy of your receipt for processing.

For questions or assistance, email [email protected]. If your clearance is declined, the program President will notify you. Appeals can be made to the screening committee for clarification or extenuating circumstances.

All baseball and softball coaches and assistant coaches, please review the additional clearance required

EFFECTIVE AS OF 2021: Babe Ruth Little League (BRLL) is requiring ALL baseball & softball volunteers to be cleared through their background check provider, Sports Engine, in addition to URA's standard process utilization Protect Youth Sports (PYS) platform. This is an additional level of screening required by BRLL and a mandatory requirement. Below is a pasted google link with specific instructions explaining the completion process for BRLL.

These clearances are only valid for 2 years.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19vACdZTLivXNS-cVUK80U31WiyRMNCyqEEou3PdtK4U/edit?usp=sharing