Resources

We are proud to partner with other sport organizations and abuse prevention organizations to build our Club, our league, and our sport’s capacity to create safe environments free of abuse and misconduct.

The Rapids are the first MLS Club and one of the only professional sport teams in the United States to endorse the Aspen Institute’s Project Play-led Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports, a philosophy that emphasizes the human rights of children and closes gaps in availability and quality of sport programming at the Club.

We are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all stakeholders at the Club. We are proud to have the largest Safeguarding Department in Major League Soccer tasked with the largest scope of work.

Safeguarding Team

Dr. Maita Furusa serves as the Director of Safeguarding for the Colorado Rapids, overseeing the Club’s safeguarding and athlete welfare strategy across the First Team, Rapids 2, and Academy. In this role, he leads the Safeguarding Department, overseeing the development and implementation of safeguarding policies, educational programs, and preventive initiatives, while working collaboratively across the organization to promote safe, inclusive, and supportive environments for players and staff.

Maita brings a combination of academic expertise and practical experience in safeguarding and athlete welfare. Prior to joining the Rapids, he spent eight years at Swansea University in the UK, where he worked as a teaching assistant while completing his Master’s and PhD in Sport and Exercise Science. His research, conducted in collaboration with the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU), focused on safeguarding children in sport, with particular emphasis on preventing abuse, enhancing enjoyment, and promoting positive parental involvement. Maita applies evidence-based approaches to strengthen safeguarding practices and promote a positive safeguarding culture across the organization.

He is FIFA Guardians certified and SafeSport Trained and serves on the Research Board of Greenhouse Sports, a UK based sports charity.

Reece Wharton serves as the club’s Safeguarding Coordinator, supporting the Safeguarding Director in ensuring the well-being of our athletes. Inspired by her experiences playing collegiate soccer at Whitman College, she received her master’s degree in sports leadership from the University of Washington. Having previously worked for the USL sporting department, team operations in Seattle for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and matchday and events for the Seattle Sounders and Seattle Reign, Reece is well positioned to understand and anticipate the needs of athletes and how the club can best support them.

Reece is FIFA Guardians certified and SafeSport Trained.

Julia Schermer serves as the team’s Safe Sport Intern, supporting the implementation of educational and well-being initiatives for players. Julia is currently a graduate student in the University of Denver’s Sport and Performance Psychology program, and she brings insights from her education to the Club. Julia grew up as a multi-sport athlete and worked with student athletes in her undergrad, where she supported their growth as people outside of sport. These experiences, and her current graduate program, developed her passion for ensuring athlete well-being is the number one priority in sport, a perspective and attitude she brings to our players here at the Club. 

Julia is FIFA Guardians certified and SafeSport Trained.

Matheus Camossa serves as Safe Sport Intern, supporting the department’s Academy Safeguarding Education initiatives. Matheus is a Second-year graduate student at the University of Denver, studying Sports and Performance Psychology. Growing up with a deep passion for sports, his journey focuses on helping athletes with their holistic development. His passion for soccer started at home in São Paulo, Brazil, and it has carried on to this day. Matheus draws on his passion, personal experiences, and academic background, using his interpersonal skills and training in psychology to foster a positive and supportive environment for players during his internship.

Matheus is FIFA Guardians certified and SafeSport Trained.