In 2020, US Youth Soccer — the largest youth sports organization in the country — had experienced several years of challenging insurance claims history. Joel Dragan, the director of membership and participant safety, said they needed a partner who could not only deliver reasonable premiums but also take a proactive approach to insurance and risk management. That’s when Players Health stepped in.
“One the largest expenses to a youth-serving sports organization like ours is our insurance premiums,” said Dragan. “In partnering with Players Health, we’re able to better control these costs and know what to budget year-to-year. However — more importantly — we have no higher priority than assuring the safety of our youth soccer players and Players Health is there for us every step of the way.”
Below, Dragan shares about US Youth Soccer’s partnership with Players Health, how members are now safer, surprises along the way and more.
How long have you been a customer?
I’ve worked with Players Health since 2020. I’ve represented both the National Association of US Youth Soccer and a state governing body — Florida Youth Soccer. They’ve delivered fantastic service to both associations for over five years.
What are the benefits to your members as a result of this partnership?
Our members of course benefit from the reasonable premiums they provide. Premium cost savings help us combat the current “pay-to-play model” in far too many club sports. More significantly though, they provide our association and membership a proactive risk management partnership and consult on all matters regarding player safety.
Have you been pleasantly surprised by working with Players Health in any way?
Of course, I’ve been pleasantly surprised working with them. I’ve worked with insurance companies for decades, but this is the first one that’s interested in matters outside of renewals and claims. Their staff are experts in the insurance and risk space who I regularly collaborate with on the latest trends in the landscape.
What else can you tell rec center professionals about the benefits of working with Players Health?
I highly recommend a relationship with Players Health. They’re truly partners in the risk and insurance space and not simply an insurance company. Their expertise and customer service set them apart from anyone else I’ve worked with over the last 18 years in the youth sports landscape. Their products and partnership will very quickly speak for itself.
