Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP)

Gator Swim Club abides by USA Swimming Safe Sport rules, including the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy 2.0 (MAAPP). Notes on GSC's specific implementation of the policy are provided below. By registering with Gator Swim Club, all member families agree to abide by this policy.

 
One-on-One Interactions
  • Athlete group meetings will always have at least two adults present.
  • Individual meetings between athletes and coaches must have a parent or legal guardian present; phone calls are considered one-on-one interactions and thus are covered by this rule.
  • Interactions between coaches and individual athletes at practice do not require the presence of a second adult or legal guardian as they are observable and interruptible.
 
Social Media and Electronic Communications
  • A minor athlete's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must be copied on all electronic communications (text, e-mail, etc.) between athlete and coach.
  • Team group chats will always have at least two coaches included.
  • Coaches will not interact with minor athletes on private social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, etc.).
  • All electronic communication must occur between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM except in emergencies (e.g., late practice cancellation) or at competitions.
 
Travel
  • Local travel: Adult Participants must not ride in a vehicle alone with an unrelated minor athlete, absent emergency circumstances, and must always have at least two minor athletes or another adult in the vehicle, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the minor athlete’s legal guardian.
  • Team travel: GSC coaches and athletes will abide by MAAPP rules on team competition trips and will require completed parent consent forms prior to departure.

Locker Rooms and Changing Areas
  • Deck changing at practice or at meets is not allowed (i.e., all changing into and out of swimsuits must be done in locker room changing areas).
  • ANY use of recording-capable devices (phones, cameras, etc.) in locker rooms is strictly prohibited by GSC and by the facilities at which GSC practices.
  • Parents/guardians are discouraged from entering the locker rooms during times when they are in use by our athletes. If your child is not able to shower and change without your assistance, please consider doing so at home after practice. If you must enter the locker room with your child, women can only enter with female athletes and men can only enter with male athletes.
  • GSC's monitoring of locker rooms will involve keeping the main entrance doors open (because adequate privacy is retained) and occasional sweeps by staff.
  • Violation of any of the above may result in revocation of locker room privileges.
 
Athlete Training Modalities
 
When a coach touches an athlete as part of instruction, the coach will do so in direct view of others and inform the athlete of what he/she is doing prior to the initial contact.
 
 
Adult Athletes
  • GSC members who are 18 years old or older are considered "Adult Participants" by MAAPP. As such, they are required to take the USA Swimming Athlete Protection Training (APT) online course by their 18th birthday in order to be eligible to continue training and competing with our club. APT must be renewed annually after age 18.
  • GSC will track 17-year-old members to remind them to fulfill the course requirement upon or before turning 18; parents will be included in these communications.
 
Meet Volunteers
  • Meet volunteers such as timers, computer operators, etc., are considered "Adult Particpants" by MAAPP.
  • There will be no additional training requirement to volunteer, but while volunteering at meets you must abide by the policy and GSC's specific implementation.