USA Swimming Safe Sport

USA Swimming: (719) 866-4578 

Deal with a Safe Sport Concern 

U.S Center for Safe Sport:

  1.  Use the online reporting form,
  2. Call 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233),
  3. or find more information at www.uscenterforsafesport.org. ​

 

Safe Sport Best Practices - Guidelines

Athlete Protection Training - This Safe Sport certification is required for all adult members of USA Swimming, including Coaches, Officials, Chaperones, Meet Directors and Adult Athletes. Click here and follow the Instructions for Completion.

Online Safe Sport for Parents - This Safe Sport online course for parents (Parent's Guide to Misconduct in Sport) provides an introduction to Safe Sport, abuse, and reporting information. The course available to both members and non-members of USA Swimming, and is free. The course is optional, however, our club receives points toward USA Swimming Safe Sport Recognition based on the percentage of registered households that have completed it. Get registered and take the course here

Online Safe Sport for Athletes - This Safe Sport online training for athletes (Safe Sports for Athletes) provides an introduction to Safe Sport, healthy boundaries, and how to speak up about misconduct, abuse, and the behaviors that lead to abuse. The course is free and optional, however, our club receives points toward USA Swimming Safe Sport Recognition based on the percentage of registered athletes in our club that have completed it. Get registered and take the course here

Safe Sport Activity Book - designed for use with kids ages 6-11 to start the conversation about positive team culture, maintaining an environment of support and safety, and all the reasons to love the sport of swimming

Helpful hints:  Once on the USA Swimming Learn page, click on “Courses” at the top of the page.  Along the left side of the screen “Courses” narrow down your search by clicking on the appropriate “For” (example:  Parent) and then clicking on “SafeSport" under “Topic.”  Once you've chosen the appropriate course, click on the “Add to Cart."  Even though there is no charge for these classes you still need to “Check Out.”  Once you’ve checked out the course will appear on your “Dashboard” and is ready to go!

Questions?   Contact Emily Downes, Safe Sport Coordinator

 

Issuing a Grievance:

WHOM TO NOTIFY OF A GRIEVANCE (Chain of Command)
 
Regarding the Conduct of a Swimmer - Contact the swimmer’s coach.
- Should a parent or swimmer feel another swimmer’s conduct is inappropriate or violates
theIowa Flyers Swim Club Code of Conduct, the parent/swimmer should discuss these
concerns with the coach of the swimmer responsible for the violation (Responsible Coach).
This complaint should be made in person or in writing. Coaches will ensure the IFLY head coach is notified of the complaint and will participate in assessing
behavior.
 
Regarding the Conduct of an Assistant or Age Group Coach - Contact the Head Coach
- Should a parent or swimmer feel an Assistant or Age Group Coach’s conduct is
inappropriate or in violation of any Club policies or procedures, the parent/swimmer should
notify the Head Coach of this violation.  This complaint should be made in person or in
writing. The Head Coach will ensure that UIowa Rec. Services leadership is
notified of the complaint and will participate in assessing behavior.
 
Regarding Conduct of Head Coach – Notify the UIowa Aquatics Director, Emily Downes
- Should a parent or swimmer feel the Head Coach’s conduct is inappropriate or violates
any Club policies or procedures, the parent/swimmer should notify Emily Downes of this violation.  This complaint should be made in person or in writing.
 
www.usaswimming.org/protect
 
Regarding Parent or Official Conduct - Notify the Head Coach
- Should a parent or swimmer feel another IFLY parent’s or an
official’s conduct is inappropriate or violates any Club policies or procedures, the
parent/swimmer should notify the Head Coach of this violation in person or in writing.
Note: With the exception of issues which immediately affect the health and safety of swimmers,
all matters should be discussed before or after a coaching session, as coaches should not be
expected to deal with issues during water time.
 
 HOW GRIEVANCES WILL BE HANDLED
The Head Coach has the authority to impose penalties for infractions of the IFLY Athlete, Parent and Coach Codes of Conduct or any behavior(s) they deem not conducive to the best interests of the Club or other swimmers. Consequences are at the sole discretion of the coaches and may include, but aren’t limited to, verbal warnings, dismissal from practice, contacting parents, temporary suspension from club activities and expulsion. Involved parties will be informed of the processes and range of potential consequences. The U.S. Center for SafeSport, USA Swimming and local law enforcement (if applicable) will be contacted within 24 hours if a coach, parent, or swimmer violates the SafeSport Code for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements, the USA Swimming Code of Conduct, Athlete Protection Policy, or local laws.
 
1. Gathering Information: The appropriate individuals will contact the person who filed the grievance, and the person against whom the grievance is being filed, to ask questions about what happened. In addition, other witnesses may be contacted for more information. All information will be recorded on the [insert team name] grievance procedure form.
2. Assessing Behavior: The behavior of the person(s) against which the grievance was brought, will be assessed using club policies and facility rules, USA Swimming Code of Conduct, USA Swimming Safe Sport policies, as well as applicable local and state laws.
3. Consequences will be given and disciplinary action will be taken, if appropriate. These consequences and disciplinary actions will be decided using the following general guidelines: 
  a. Nature of the misconduct
  b. Severity of the misconduct
  c. Prior disciplinary actions
  d. Adverse effect of the misconduct
  e. Application of the Code of Conduct