Electronic Communication & Social Media Policy
Applies to all TEAMGOLDUSA digital communications (email, text, messaging apps, team platforms, social media).
Core Rule. Coaches and other applicable adults do not privately message minor athletes. Communications are one-to-many, include a parent/guardian, or occur in team-managed group channels that are visible and auditable.
1) Approved Channels
- Team email lists, team app/groups, or SMS groups including a parent/guardian when minors are recipients.
- Scheduling/alerts go through group channels; direct athlete contact adds the parent/guardian.
2) Direct Messages
- Coach ↔ minor one-to-one messaging is prohibited. If a minor messages a coach, the coach adds the parent and replies to all.
- Emergency exceptions: contact the parent/guardian as soon as reasonably possible and document the communication.
3) Social Media
- Coaches and applicable adults do not “friend/follow” or DM minor athletes from personal accounts.
- Team social media highlights may use athlete images only with prior media consent; no tagging minors by full name without consent.
- No posting from locker rooms or bathrooms; no behind-the-blocks photography restrictions per meet hosts must be respected.
4) Time of Day & Content
- Messages sent 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. local time, unless urgent logistics or safety requires otherwise.
- Content remains professional, sport-related, free from sarcasm or comments about appearance/body.
5) Recordkeeping & Enforcement
- Team-managed platforms retain message history; parents may request summaries of coach communications related to their athlete.
- Violations should be reported to the Safe Sport contact; retaliation is prohibited.