Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Upper Main Line YMCA Earns Safe Sport Recognition
The Upper Main Line YMCA (UMLY) in Berwyn, Pennsylvania is one of many teams to achieve USA Swimming’s Safe Sport Club Recognition in 2021, through its efforts in implementing Safe Sport policies within the team’s operations.
The Safe Sport program aims to keep athletes safe from abuse through education, trainings, screening and abuse prevention programs. Teams achieve recognition by demonstrating their commitment to maintaining a safe environment through their enforcement of these policies. UMLY head age group coach Todd Conrad details how the team is committed to Safe Sport in this month’s Safe Sport recognition feature.
1. What are three ways your team has implemented Safe Sport policies/procedures for your coaches, parents and athletes?
In 2019, UMLY started the implementation of MAAPP (Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy) and new Safe Sport policies by hosting several parent and practice group meetings. When specifically covering the MAAPP policies with our 13-and-over groups, it was with coaches and athletes. When we covered the MAAPP policies with our 12-and-under group, the parents were included in the meetings. We have followed up with these initial meetings with virtual meetings now as we want this information to stay present in everyone's minds.
2. How successful do you feel these methods are in protecting your swimmers and building your team's culture?
We are thankful that here at UMLY our program has had this level of training for years prior to the implementation of MAAPP, as the YMCA offers similar programming. The specific MAAPP policies meetings were a reminder of the importance we put on Safe Sport as a whole. What really helped us build a culture of knowledge and safety was the parent and athlete materials that Safe Sport provided. We are genuinely happy that Safe Sport is successfully embedded in our team culture.
3. What advice would you give other teams in implementing Safe Sport programs into their team operations?
Specifically, communication is key. Ensuring that everyone knows and understands the policies and procedures is a great way to make sure everyone is on board. In addition, reach out to the Safe Sport representatives (LSC and USA Swimming) whenever you have questions. They are incredibly helpful and can offer solutions to unique problems you may face. Our program is a character values-based program. We learn the YMCA Core Values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility through participation in our competitive swim team. Swimming fast is a byproduct of these values. Emphasizing Safe Sport is another great example of these values and letting our athletes know we care about them as people.
The Safe Sport program aims to keep athletes safe from abuse through education, trainings, screening and abuse prevention programs. Teams achieve recognition by demonstrating their commitment to maintaining a safe environment through their enforcement of these policies. UMLY head age group coach Todd Conrad details how the team is committed to Safe Sport in this month’s Safe Sport recognition feature.
1. What are three ways your team has implemented Safe Sport policies/procedures for your coaches, parents and athletes?
In 2019, UMLY started the implementation of MAAPP (Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy) and new Safe Sport policies by hosting several parent and practice group meetings. When specifically covering the MAAPP policies with our 13-and-over groups, it was with coaches and athletes. When we covered the MAAPP policies with our 12-and-under group, the parents were included in the meetings. We have followed up with these initial meetings with virtual meetings now as we want this information to stay present in everyone's minds.
2. How successful do you feel these methods are in protecting your swimmers and building your team's culture?
We are thankful that here at UMLY our program has had this level of training for years prior to the implementation of MAAPP, as the YMCA offers similar programming. The specific MAAPP policies meetings were a reminder of the importance we put on Safe Sport as a whole. What really helped us build a culture of knowledge and safety was the parent and athlete materials that Safe Sport provided. We are genuinely happy that Safe Sport is successfully embedded in our team culture.
3. What advice would you give other teams in implementing Safe Sport programs into their team operations?
Specifically, communication is key. Ensuring that everyone knows and understands the policies and procedures is a great way to make sure everyone is on board. In addition, reach out to the Safe Sport representatives (LSC and USA Swimming) whenever you have questions. They are incredibly helpful and can offer solutions to unique problems you may face. Our program is a character values-based program. We learn the YMCA Core Values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility through participation in our competitive swim team. Swimming fast is a byproduct of these values. Emphasizing Safe Sport is another great example of these values and letting our athletes know we care about them as people.