TEAMGOLDUSA Safe Sport Best Practice Guidelines

Supplement to MAAPP These best practices support, but do not replace, USA Swimming’s Safe Sport policies and the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP).

TEAMGOLDUSA is committed to providing a safe, positive, and inclusive environment for all athletes. These Best Practice Guidelines describe how we apply MAAPP and USA Swimming Safe Sport expectations in our day-to-day operations. All coaches, staff, volunteers, parents, and athletes are expected to follow these practices.

1. Observable & Interruptible Interactions

We follow the “two-adult” and “observable and interruptible” standards whenever reasonably possible:

• One-on-one meetings between an adult and a minor athlete are held in open, visible locations, or with doors open and another adult nearby.
• Private instruction in closed rooms or behind locked doors is not allowed.
• Coaches and staff avoid being alone with an athlete in vehicles, locker rooms, or other isolated areas.
• Parents are encouraged to remain in viewing areas during practices and lessons.

2. Locker Rooms & Changing Areas

Locker rooms and restrooms require special care to balance privacy and safety:

• No photography or video of any kind is allowed in locker rooms, restrooms, or changing areas.
• Designated adults (coaches, meet marshals, or Safe Sport volunteers) may conduct brief walkthroughs to deter inappropriate behavior, not to monitor individual athletes.
• Adults use separate locker rooms/restrooms from athletes whenever possible.
• Parents of young children may assist as needed but should be sensitive to the privacy of all athletes.
• Bullying, roughhousing, or hazing in locker rooms is prohibited and must be reported.

3. Electronic Communication & Social Media

Clear communication keeps athletes informed and protected:

• Team announcements are sent through club-approved platforms (email lists, team apps, or team website).
• One-on-one electronic communication between an adult and a minor athlete follows MAAPP, including:
  • Copying a parent/guardian whenever required.
  • Limiting messages to team-related topics (e.g., practice, meets, scheduling).
• Coaches do not “friend” or follow minor athletes on personal social media accounts unless they also follow the athlete’s parents and it serves a team purpose.
• Group chats (text or app) are used for logistics only and moderated by an approved adult.
• Inappropriate language, images, or jokes in any team-related communication are prohibited.

4. Local Transport & Team Travel

Travel policies are detailed in our Travel Policy. Best practices include:

• Written parent consent is required before any team-organized travel, ride-sharing, or overnight trip.
• Coaches and other adult members avoid transporting a single minor athlete alone in a vehicle unless emergency circumstances require it or MAAPP consent conditions are met.
• Rooming lists separate unrelated adults and minor athletes. Athletes are housed with same-gender, similar-age teammates when possible.
• Curfews, supervision expectations, and behavior standards are clearly explained before trips.
• Parents and athletes are given contact information for trip leaders and Safe Sport contacts.

5. Practice & Meet Environment

Practices and meets are structured to support both performance and safety:

• Coaches arrive before practice and stay until all athletes have left or are with a responsible adult.
• Warm-ups and warm-downs at meets are supervised following LSC and facility rules.
• Meet marshals and officials help enforce deck safety, including diving rules, lane usage, and crowding.
• Physical contact is limited to situations that are:
  • Respectful and appropriate to the context (e.g., brief congratulatory high-five).
  • Non-coercive and non-sexual in nature.
• Any behavior that looks like grooming, bullying, or hazing is prohibited and must be reported.

6. Photography, Video & Publicity

We celebrate athletes while protecting their privacy:

• Parents complete media consent as part of registration and may change their preference at any time.
• Team photographers and videographers are identified when possible and instructed on boundaries.
• Images used on the website, social media, or print materials highlight athletic participation and team spirit—never exploit or embarrass athletes.
• Livestreaming follows facility and LSC guidance and avoids locker rooms and changing areas.
• Any concerns about posted images should be reported; the club will review and remove content when appropriate.

7. Feedback, Discipline & Language

Coaching feedback should be direct and firm when needed, but never demeaning:

• Coaches focus feedback on skills, effort, and choices—not on an athlete’s body or worth.
• Yelling, name-calling, or public shaming are not acceptable coaching methods.
• Group discipline (e.g., “everyone pays for one person’s mistake”) is used carefully, if at all, and never as humiliation.
• Derogatory or discriminatory language based on race, gender, religion, orientation, or any protected trait is prohibited.

8. Reporting & Non-Retaliation

Everyone is responsible for speaking up when something seems wrong:

• Concerns can be raised to the Club Safe Sport Coordinator, Head Coach, Board, USA Swimming, or the U.S. Center for SafeSport depending on the issue.
• Reports made in good faith are protected. Retaliation against any person who raises a concern is not allowed and may itself be a policy violation.
• Anonymous tips may be sent to USA Swimming via text at 888-270-SWIM (7946).
• We encourage early reporting even if you’re not sure something “rises to the level” of a violation. It’s okay to ask questions.

9. Annual Review & Education

Safe Sport is an ongoing commitment:

• These Best Practice Guidelines are reviewed at least annually and updated as USA Swimming or SafeSport policies evolve.
• Coaches, staff, and key volunteers complete required Safe Sport training and background checks.
• Athletes and parents are encouraged to complete the Safe Sport training modules appropriate to their age and role.

Questions about these guidelines can be directed to our Club Safe Sport Coordinator at dana@teamgoldusa.com.