Friday, May 7, 2021
Swim Fort Lauderdale Named USA Swimming Safe Sport Recognized Club
By demonstrating its commitment to athlete safety and abuse prevention, Swim Fort Lauderdale has earned recognition from USA Swimming as a Safe Sport Recognized Club in 2021. Head coach Dave Gibson and assistant coach Mike Averett, who also serves as the team’s Safe Sport Coordinator, share how they’ve implemented USA Swimming Safe Sport policies and procedures into their daily operations for swimmers, parents and coaches.
What are three ways your team has implemented USA Swimming Safe Sport policies and procedures for your coaches, parents and athletes?
Our team, Swim Fort Lauderdale, has implemented many USA Swimming Safe Sport procedures and policies over the years. Safe Sport is truly a part of our mission and team culture.
First, SFTL is a strong believer in the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP). This policy is listed directly at the top of our club's Safe Sport page, along with numerous MAAPP educational documents for our team members to utilize. In addition, SFTL has a required, fully customized MAAPP acknowledgement form that all new and current members must sign and return before being permitted to practice with our club. We also have parent permission forms for athlete travel, overnight stay and other related activities to help ensure that all of our athletes stay protected while away from the pool. Our team also runs monthly reports to help scan for athletes over the age of 18 to ensure that they complete the Athlete Protection Training (APT) in a timely manner.
Second, in addition to communicating the USA Swimming Code of Conduct to all active team members, we have separate code(s) of conduct for swimmers, coaches and parents that clearly outline the behaviors that we are trying to promote, as well as what we are trying to avoid when establishing a safe environment. These documents can be easily found on our team website and within our member registration packets. We have a team grievance procedure set in place, in case any disciplinary action is needed as a result of violating these codes. We also have an action plan to address bullying, as well as steps for conflict resolution amongst our club members.
Third, we have a plethora of Safe Sport information on our club's website that our members may access at any time. This includes learning about Safe Sport basics, USA Swimming best practice guidelines and how to complete the free USA Swimming Safe Sport training courses -- Safe Sport for Athletes, Parent's Guide to Misconduct and Bullying Prevention. Our members also have the information and ability to report a Safe Sport concern to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, USA Swimming, our LSC Safe Sport chair or SFTL's Safe Sport club coordinator. We also have a photography policy for our members in which they may opt in or out, depending on how they feel about their child being photographed and displayed on our team's website or social media feed. Our main goal is to provide a high level of training and education for all of our members, while allowing them to feel safe, protected and comfortable.
How successful do you feel these policies have been in protecting your swimmers and building your team culture?
We feel that these policies and procedures, set in place by USA Swimming and the US Center for SafeSport, have been extremely successful in helping to build our team culture, while giving needed protection to all our swimmers and team members. These policies provide a framework for safety and success. USA Swimming and its Safe Sport team have set us on the correct path for excellence, professionalism and team security. Having all these policies in place not only provides your club with the proper support, but they also allow your team to operate safely in case of an emergency situation. Being proactive before an event takes place certainly helps with how that situation is handled and how quickly it is resolved.
What advice would you give other teams in implementing USA Swimming Safe Sport programs within their team operations?
Implementing Safe Sport within your team can be challenging, especially in the beginning. Changing a team's culture can take months or years, however implementing one or two new things at a time is where to start the process. Once you create your plan, stick with it and make sure that your club members buy into the process and understand the real benefits of these programs. Our advice is to not get discouraged with the process, even though it might take a little time. You need to envision how you want your team to look, interact and operate in the weeks/months/years to come. Once you start implementing USA Swimming Safe Sport programs and policies with your team, please don't deter from the plan until you have achieved Safe Sport Club Recognition for your team! Everyone can do it!
What are three ways your team has implemented USA Swimming Safe Sport policies and procedures for your coaches, parents and athletes?
Our team, Swim Fort Lauderdale, has implemented many USA Swimming Safe Sport procedures and policies over the years. Safe Sport is truly a part of our mission and team culture.
First, SFTL is a strong believer in the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP). This policy is listed directly at the top of our club's Safe Sport page, along with numerous MAAPP educational documents for our team members to utilize. In addition, SFTL has a required, fully customized MAAPP acknowledgement form that all new and current members must sign and return before being permitted to practice with our club. We also have parent permission forms for athlete travel, overnight stay and other related activities to help ensure that all of our athletes stay protected while away from the pool. Our team also runs monthly reports to help scan for athletes over the age of 18 to ensure that they complete the Athlete Protection Training (APT) in a timely manner.
Second, in addition to communicating the USA Swimming Code of Conduct to all active team members, we have separate code(s) of conduct for swimmers, coaches and parents that clearly outline the behaviors that we are trying to promote, as well as what we are trying to avoid when establishing a safe environment. These documents can be easily found on our team website and within our member registration packets. We have a team grievance procedure set in place, in case any disciplinary action is needed as a result of violating these codes. We also have an action plan to address bullying, as well as steps for conflict resolution amongst our club members.
Third, we have a plethora of Safe Sport information on our club's website that our members may access at any time. This includes learning about Safe Sport basics, USA Swimming best practice guidelines and how to complete the free USA Swimming Safe Sport training courses -- Safe Sport for Athletes, Parent's Guide to Misconduct and Bullying Prevention. Our members also have the information and ability to report a Safe Sport concern to the U.S. Center for SafeSport, USA Swimming, our LSC Safe Sport chair or SFTL's Safe Sport club coordinator. We also have a photography policy for our members in which they may opt in or out, depending on how they feel about their child being photographed and displayed on our team's website or social media feed. Our main goal is to provide a high level of training and education for all of our members, while allowing them to feel safe, protected and comfortable.
How successful do you feel these policies have been in protecting your swimmers and building your team culture?
We feel that these policies and procedures, set in place by USA Swimming and the US Center for SafeSport, have been extremely successful in helping to build our team culture, while giving needed protection to all our swimmers and team members. These policies provide a framework for safety and success. USA Swimming and its Safe Sport team have set us on the correct path for excellence, professionalism and team security. Having all these policies in place not only provides your club with the proper support, but they also allow your team to operate safely in case of an emergency situation. Being proactive before an event takes place certainly helps with how that situation is handled and how quickly it is resolved.
What advice would you give other teams in implementing USA Swimming Safe Sport programs within their team operations?
Implementing Safe Sport within your team can be challenging, especially in the beginning. Changing a team's culture can take months or years, however implementing one or two new things at a time is where to start the process. Once you create your plan, stick with it and make sure that your club members buy into the process and understand the real benefits of these programs. Our advice is to not get discouraged with the process, even though it might take a little time. You need to envision how you want your team to look, interact and operate in the weeks/months/years to come. Once you start implementing USA Swimming Safe Sport programs and policies with your team, please don't deter from the plan until you have achieved Safe Sport Club Recognition for your team! Everyone can do it!