To All Lake Country Swim Team Families -
USA Swimming has announced several enhancements to their Safe Sport policy and education requirements as part of their continued commitment to safeguarding our athletes. Lake Country Swim Team as a member of USA Swimming must adopt these changes as well.
Policy Changes
Effective September 1, 2021 we will implemant the policy changes in Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP) version 2.0. This Policy addresses risk areas that present opportunities for abuse to occur.
The Policy covers five (5) areas:
1. One-on-One Interactions
2. Travel: Local & Team
3. Social Media & Electronic Communication
4. Locker Rooms & Changing Areas
5. Massages & Rubdowns
MAAPP will apply to all adults who interact with and have direct and frequent contact with minor athletes, including adult athletes. The language used in the policy is Applicable Adult. All Applicable Adults will be required to follow MAAPP.
Although our team has always followed USA Swimming Safe Sport Guidelines, the new MAAPP will require some changes in the way our team and its members operate. Over the next few weeks we will be educating athletes and parents as to the new requirements and how our team will implement them.
All parents, athletes, coaches and other non-athlete members are required to review the MAAPP and sign an acknowledgement and acceptance form. The guardians can sign on behalf of their family, but please review the policy with your swimmers. The policy and acceptance forms are provided at the link below and on our website under the new “Safe Sport” section. Please review the policy and return the acknowledgement as soon as possible. You may give the acknowledgement to your coach, or you may email a scan of the signed document to [email protected].
Full MAAPP 2.0 Updated September 1, 2021
Acknowledgement and acceptance of MAAPP
Education and Training Changes
Second, USA Swimming requires regular and consistent training for all adults who interact with and have direct and frequent contact with minor athletes, including adult athletes. All USA Swimming non-athlete members regularly complete Safe Sport training, known as Athlete Protection Training. Now, all adult athlete members will also be required to complete Athlete Protection Training. All adult members—athlete and non-athlete—will be required to complete the training annually. Note: Parents and guardians are not adult members unless they are registered with USA swimming as an official or overnight travel chaperone. Instructions on how to take the course, and a link to the course are at the webpage linked below:
Athlete Protection Training Information and Link
Adult athletes need to complete the course by June 23rd to maintain practice and meet eligibility. 17-year-olds turning 18 after June 23rd need to compete the course prior to their 18th birthday.
Our new Safe Sport section on the website includes FAQs on the MAAPP and the athlete Protection Training provided by USA Swimming. It also includes permission slips for use when legal guardians are making an exception to the policy for their minor athlete. We will also be posting other helpful resources to aid in achieving full compliance with the policy.
If you have any questions about the policy or how it impacts you and your swimmer, please feel free to contact me [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your prompt return of the acknowledgement form and your compliance to the policy.
Thank You,
Mark Kohnhorst
Head Coach/Executive Director
Lake Country Swim Team
