Ohio Swimming would like to thank our Outreach Sponsors:

Outreach Swimming

Outreach Application

Travel Reimbursement Form     Outreach Reimbursement Policy (from OSI Policy Manual)

Ohio Swimming Outreach Chair:
Amanda Sequeira
[email protected]

USA Swimming offers a reduced registration fee for athletes from low-income families. The purpose of this program is to provide competitive swimming opportunities to the underrepresented and economically disadvantaged youth in the United States. The Outreach Program reduces the annual membership fee an athlete pays to USA Swimming from $84 to $5. In addition extreme efforts will be made to secure funds for additional needs such as swimsuits, equipment and possible travel expenses.

Outreach Qualification Considerations:
- SNAP Recipient
- Welfare Recipient
- Disability
- Yearly Family Income
- Government Assisted Healthcare
- Special Circumstances

Outreach Mission
USA Swimming is committed to increasing multicultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity at all levels of the sport to achieve and foster an inclusive swimming environment.

Vision
As the national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States, USA Swimming has a vision to create and maintain an environment that is free from participation barriers for persons from all cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Diversity and inclusion are valuable components that will benefit the organization at all levels. Embracing the strengths and beauty of diversity enhances the mission of USA Swimming, which is to build the base, promote the sport and achieve competitive success.

Ohio Swimming Outreach Procedure

The Ohio Swimming athlete “Outreach” membership (an annual reduced registration fee for USA Swimming membership), along with the athlete’s club giving a reduced monthly club fee, will aid the athlete financially to continue their swimming program.

Applicants (or parents/guardians) must submit to the Outreach Chair, one of the above listed Outreach Qualification Considerations (the burden of proof lies with the applicant). In addition, the club team must provide financial assistance in the form of a scholarship to the athlete if the athlete is accepted as an Outreach member.

The Outreach Chair will review the application and determine eligibility for inclusion in the Outreach program. If accepted, the athlete will be eligible for additional needs such as swimsuits, equipment and possible travel expenses. If the application is not accepted, the individual may appeal to the General Chair of Ohio Swimming. The host club will be notified of the application’s rejection, and the applicant will be responsible for the balance of the membership fee.

While applicants are ultimately responsible, we would assume that the host club will be notified of the need by the athlete and/or the parents. The club then indicates those athletes who have been identified as Outreach eligible in the registration process and provides a discount code to be used during the registration process.

Once the application has been received by the Outreach Chair, the family will be contacted to make arrangements for additional help with swimwear and equipment (see below).

Team Fees
It is EACH SWIMMER’S (OR PARENT’S) RESPONSIBILITY to pursue and agree upon team fees with each hosting club. USA Swimming and Ohio Swimming will have no part in team fee negotiations. Each Ohio Swimming Club is encouraged to be cooperative and fully participate.

Swim Meets
All meet fees will try to be waived for outreach swimmers. Coaches should provide a meet schedule of the qualified Outreach athlete to the Ohio Swimming Outreach Chair to arrange for meet fees to be waived with the hosting clubs for the athlete. All hosting teams are encouraged to waive meet fees for outreach swimmers. If funds are available, meet-hosting teams could possibly be reimbursed if the Ohio Outreach Chair is aware of the athlete’s attendance at the meet.

Equipment
[Vendor] has agreed to sell equipment discounted for outreach swimmers. Ohio Swimming will provide the following equipment to every outreach swimmer for the swim year:

• Team Swim Suit (No team logo provided, unless it is a sponsored team)
• Practice Suit
• 1 Pair of Goggles
• 1 Pair of Long Fins
• 1 Pair of Hand Paddles
• 1 Silicone Cap

Confidentiality
All efforts must be made to keep the status of outreach swimmers confidential. Coaches and team representatives should keep in mind that kids can be cruel.

Donations
If you or someone you know is interested in donating to Ohio Outreach, please contact the Ohio Outreach Chair.