NOVA of Virginia Aquatics is committed to protecting your swimmers by following the Safe Sport Policies defined by USA Swimming. In addition, NOVA has added some of its own policies to further create a safe environment specific to our club. If ever NOVA policy and USA swimming policy overlap, USA swimming policy will prevail. All NOVA athletes and parents need to read and understand all information on this page.
USA Swimming is committed to fostering a fun, healthy and safe environment for all of its members. For that reason, USA Swimming has detailed policies and procedures in place. The following rules, policies, reporting structure, education and tools are intended to serve our members as we work together to maintain this environment.
For questions or concerns, please contact USA Swimming's Safe Sport Director Liz Hahn at 719-866-3542 or [email protected]. Liz oversees USA Swimming's efforts to foster safe and positive training environments
First Line of Defense
Background checks and pre-employment screens are critical tools to selecting the best possible people for staff and volunteer positions by USA Swimming clubs. All NOVA coaches, officials, and volunteers must satisfactorily pass a criminal background check in order to become non-athlete members of USA Swimming. Additionally, all USA Swimming clubs must perform three required pre-employment screens on any new employee.
Recognizing and Reporting
Mandatory reporting laws: "Pursuant to federal law, all adults authorized to interact with minor or amateur athletes who learn of facts that give reason to suspect that a child has suffered an incident of child abuse, including sexual abuse, shall make a report of the suspected abuse to law enforcement and/or your state's designated agency within 24 hours."
NOVA Safe Sport Coordinator Contacts: Questions or concerns regarding bullying, parent issues, coaching concerns or violations of team rules/policies.
Safe Sport Representative: Drew Hirth (804-754-3401 ex 6 or [email protected])
Board Representative: Andrew Glass ([email protected])
USA Swimming Safe Sport Contacts Contacts: USA Swimming reporting information (including inquiries regarding criminal charges, drugs, physical abuse, or violation of MAAPPs):
Phone: (719) 866-4578
Text Anonymous Tips to: (888) 270-7946
Online Reporting: HERE
USA Swimming Safe Sport Staff Directory: HERE
US Center for Safe Sport Contacts: Questions, concerns and reporting regarding sexual harrasment or misconduct
Phone: (833) 587-7233
Online Resources: HERE
Online Reporting: HERE
Parent & Swimmer Education
The USA Swimming Safe Sport Program is proud to offer free athlete protection training to the parents of our member athletes. Parents are a critical component to our overall goal to protecting children from sexual abuse. The comprehensive online programming includes information about how offenders operate; how to recognize and respond to boundary violations, myths and facts about child sexual abuse and USA Swimming’s Athlete Protection Policies and Procedures.
To Learn more, please take the USA Swimming Parent or Athlete Courses:
NOTE: All Adult Athletes (18+ older) are required to go through APT Training and must pass a USA Swimming Background check. This includes NOVA swimmers turning 18 at any point if participating in any NOVA practices or competition.
Step 1: Go to USA Swimming Online University Homepage
Step 2: Log in with your USA Swimming Username & Password
Step 3: Search the Following Courses:
- Parents: "Parents Guide to Misconduct in Sport
- Athletes (5-12 years old): SafeSport for Kids
- Athletes (13-17 years old): SafeSport for Youth Athletes
- Adult Athletes (18+ years old): SafeSport Training for Adult Athletes
