SAFE SPORT

[UPDATED 11/13/22]

  Connecticut Swimming

Ridgefield Aquatic Club is committed to fostering a safe and healthy environment for its athletes.

USA Swimming strives to continually improve the programs and services it offers to its members and among these some of the most important relate to the safeguards for protecting young athletes. To continue to foster safe and positive environments within all member clubs, USA Swimming has provided RAC with best practice guidelines (and best practice guidelines with athletes with disabilities) that help define elements of appropriate behavior and conduct.

RAC's top priority continues to be keeping its athletes safe. No form of abuse, including child sexual abuse, has a place in our sport.

RAC Swimming adheres to USA Swimming's Code of Conduct, which is included in the annual USA Swimming Rulebook.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport (“the Center”), the separate, independent, organization that oversees all sexual misconduct reports in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement created the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies to set a baseline for acceptable safety standards that limit one-on-one interactions between adults and minor athletes.

RAC is committed to providing a safe environment for all of its athletes. To that end, RAC has appointed a Safe Sport Coordinator, Mike Oppenheim, to assist athletes in voicing their concerns. RAC has also put in place numerous policies and procedures that are meant to foster an environment that is safe for all athletes.

 

To Report a Safe Sport Concern to USA Swimming:

USA Swimming Safe Sport Basics:

USA Swimming Safe Sport Contacts:

CT Swimming Safe Sport Contacts:

RAC Swimming Safe Sport Contacts:

Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP): Effective September 1, 2021

On April 29, 2019, USA Swimming released its Minor Athlete Abuse Protection Policy (MAAPP) addressing one-on-one interactions, social media, and electronic communications, travel: local and team, locker rooms and changing areas, massages, rubdowns, and athletic training modalities.  All USA Swimming member clubs were required to implement MAAPP in full by June 23, 2019. RAC implemented this policy. On September 1, 2021, USA Swimming implemented MAAPP 2.0, and RAC also implemented the updated guidelines in this new policy.

USA Swimming has outlined all policies and guidelines on its MAAPP webpage.

Please read the policy below along with the educational resources and videos, to assist you in understanding our MAAPP.

One-on-One Interactions

Social Media and Electronic Communications

Travel

Locker Rooms and Changing Areas

Massages, Rubdowns, and Athletic Training Modalities

Non-USA Swimming Activities

Athlete Protection Training

USA Swimming offers free online Athlete Protection Training for coaches, officials, board members, chaperones, volunteers, and parents. All coaches, officials chaperones, and board members must take the course to be certified as a non-athlete members of USA Swimming.

Training our members in abuse prevention and mandatory reporting is just as important as creating policies. USA Swimming is required to provide regular and consistent training for all adults who interact with and have direct contact with minor athletes, including adult athletes. As a condition of membership, all athlete members ages 18 and over must complete Athlete Protection Training.

Applicable Adults/Adult Participants: Definition/FAQ and Description

APT Requirements for Adult Participants

Bullying Policy

RAC Video/Photography Policy

RAC & USA Swimming Code(s) of Conduct:

PERMISSION FORMS

Permission for Minor Athlete to Travel to Competition with Unrelated Applicable Adult

Permission for Applicable Adult to Provide Local Transportation to Unrelated Minor Athlete

Permission for Treatment of Minor Athlete by Licensed Massage Therapist or Other Certified Professional or Health Care Provider

Permission for One-On-One Interaction with a Mental Health Professional

 

TEAM TRAVEL

RAC Team Travel Policy


TEAM TRAVEL REQUIRED FORMS

Consent for Minor Athletes to Travel with RAC Swimming

Authorization to Treat a Minor and Permission to Participate in Swim Team Activities

Liability Release and Indemnification for Minor Travel

Permission for Minor Swimmer to Share Lodging with 18 or older Swimmer

 

 

Ridgefield Aquatic Club Grievance Procedure

Protecting our young athletes is ALL of our responsibility... as coaches, volunteers, and parents.  Policies are enforceable by the National Board of the Review process. Consequences for breaking a policy include, but are not limited to, revocation of membership.

USA SWIMMING: CONCUSSION INFORMATION

USA Swimming Corporate Bylaws

USA Swimming 2023 Rulebook

USA Swimming Operating Policy Manual

Safe Sport Meet 360 Resource Guide