South Texas Safe Sport Program

South Texas Swimming prioritizes the Safe Sport Recognition Program throughout our geographically large LSC and membership. We work with USA Swimming to ensure that our nearly 9000 athletes have a healthy and positive environment free from abuse in which to train and compete. Our goal is for every club, coach, athlete, and non-athlete member to be aware of and contribute to a positive and healthy environment for our swimmers.

USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program, a comprehensive abuse prevention program, consists of a multi-layered approach to keep kids safe, including required policies and best practice guidelines; mandatory screening, including criminal background checks and employment screening; training and education; monitoring, supervision, and mandatory reporting. These measures are informed by experts in the field of child safety and are among the strongest safeguards found in youth-serving organizations.

Where we are October 1, 2022:

  • We have the 2nd highest percentage of Safe Sport Recognized clubs of the 59 LSC’s.

  • 76% of our clubs are Safe Sport Recognized. The goal of the South Texas Board and Safe Sport Committee is 100% Safe Sport Recognition.

  • Safe Sport Recognition is a requirement to host a meet in South Texas.

Safe Sport Spotlight

We want to Spotlight the Teams listed below for their SafeSport Accomplishments:

  • Circle C Select Swimming
  • Laredo Vortex Aquatics

Safe Sport Recognition Process

Keeping Athletes First is a USA Swimming initiative to increase the number of Safe Sport Recognized Clubs. Four Components:

  • Business & Organizational Structure: Coach Owned, Institutional owned or board-owned

  • Coach Education

  • Athlete Education

  • Parent Education

USA Swimming Safe Sport Portal Update

  • The ability for clubs to submit for SSRP approval will be on hold until 11/1/22. Clubs may, however, continue their progress toward completing all SSRP requirements.

  • Due to the delay in the ability to submit, USA Swimming’s Safe Sport team will be extending SSRP renewal deadlines until 1/31/23. This allows clubs who are currently SSRP-approved the ability to maintain their approval status. This extension will allow ample time for clubs to gather and input all the necessary information to be approved later.

  • Virtual training is still available! Please visit the USA Swimming’s Safe Sport Club Recognition website here.

Important Links - USA Swimming Safe Sport Resources

  • MAAPP - Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy: The MAAPP addresses one-on-one interactions, social media and electronic communications, travel, locker rooms and changing areas and massages, rubdowns, and athletic training modalities. Every USA Swimming club, Zone, and LSC is required to implement the MAAPP in full. Each club MUST adopt the MAAPP policy (only customizing the club name), post it to their dedicated Safe Sport page, and have all members and coaches acknowledge that they have read it. Most clubs have found it easiest to do this during their registration process.

  • APT - Athlete Protection Training: Athlete Protection Training (APT) is required for athletes 18 and older. This is mandatory at all sanctioned meets and approved USA meets. The training course must be taken each year. To become Safe Sport Recognized, a minimum of 10% of the club’s athletes (ages 12 to 17) and parents should take APT training. Clubs can also hold a group session led by the Head Coach or Safe Sport Coordinator. During the session, the Course Leader will play the APT course and answer any questions the athletes or parents may have. The Course Leader should have each participant print and sign their name. This list should be sent to USA Swimming, and your club will receive credit for holding the training. Email [email protected] with any questions.

  • Virtual Training Schedule: USA Swimming Safe Sports Staff provides virtual training for coaches, athletes, and parents. This is one of the easiest methods to complete your needed training.

  • Club Tool Kit

  • Report a Concern / Mandatory Reporting Rule: 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, must make a report of the alleged abuse to law enforcement and/or your state’s designated agency within 24 hours. It is every USA Swimming member's responsibility to promptly report any incident regarding sexual misconduct by a member to USA Swimming. Reporting must occur when an individual has firsthand knowledge of misconduct or where specific and credible information has been received from a victim or knowledgeable third party. Various state laws may also require reporting to law enforcement or to a designated child protection agency. No member shall retaliate against anyone who has made a good-faith report. False reporting of sexual misconduct made in bad faith is prohibited, and neither civil nor criminal statutes of limitation apply to reports of cases of sexual abuse. Reporting can be complicated; if you need any advice or help to make your report, please contact USA Swimming Safe Sport Staff.

  • Suspended or Ineligible Individuals

Resources for Meet Hosts & Meet Directors

posted 10/03/2022