Thursday, January 27, 2022
Trainings and Policies Lead Riptide to USA Swimming Safe Sport Recognized Honor
Riptide Swim Team in Apple Valley, Minn., the home club of 2020 Olympic medalist and world record-holder Regan Smith, has joined the list of USA Swimming Safe Sport-recognized swim teams thanks to their dedicated efforts to keep their athletes safe from abuse.
Riptide’s Safe Sport coordinator, Anne Knapp, answered a few questions about how the team implements these policies and her advice for other clubs in this month’s Safe Sport feature.
1. What are three ways your team implements Safe Sport policies for swimmers, parents and coaches?
Riptide has conducted Safe Sport training for parents and athletes that covers not only the information provided by USA Swimming, but also our own Safe Sport policies, including our code of conduct and anti-bullying policy. Riptide’s coaches actively encourage participation in these trainings for both athletes and families. In addition to training, Riptide has clear signage and communication regarding locker room usage and cell phone usage. This ensures clear and consistent expectations for all members of the Riptide community.
2. How effective do you feel these policies have been in shaping your team's culture?
These policies have been very effective in establishing a positive, supportive team culture. The expectations for athletes, families and coaches are clearly communicated and any corrective actions are consistently applied. Families reinforce these messages with their athletes away from the pool as well so athletes feel empowered to speak up and support their teammates whether at the pool or in the community.
3. What advice would you give other teams in integrating Safe Sport procedures into their team operations?
The hardest step is the first one. Once you have policies established and everyone is aware of the policies and the expectations for following them, it is much easier to keep building on them. If you are intimidated by the possible scope of the policies, start with the basics and keep building on them.
For more information on the USA Swimming Safe Sport Club Recognition program, visit www.usaswimming.org/ssrp.
Riptide’s Safe Sport coordinator, Anne Knapp, answered a few questions about how the team implements these policies and her advice for other clubs in this month’s Safe Sport feature.
1. What are three ways your team implements Safe Sport policies for swimmers, parents and coaches?
Riptide has conducted Safe Sport training for parents and athletes that covers not only the information provided by USA Swimming, but also our own Safe Sport policies, including our code of conduct and anti-bullying policy. Riptide’s coaches actively encourage participation in these trainings for both athletes and families. In addition to training, Riptide has clear signage and communication regarding locker room usage and cell phone usage. This ensures clear and consistent expectations for all members of the Riptide community.
2. How effective do you feel these policies have been in shaping your team's culture?
These policies have been very effective in establishing a positive, supportive team culture. The expectations for athletes, families and coaches are clearly communicated and any corrective actions are consistently applied. Families reinforce these messages with their athletes away from the pool as well so athletes feel empowered to speak up and support their teammates whether at the pool or in the community.
3. What advice would you give other teams in integrating Safe Sport procedures into their team operations?
The hardest step is the first one. Once you have policies established and everyone is aware of the policies and the expectations for following them, it is much easier to keep building on them. If you are intimidated by the possible scope of the policies, start with the basics and keep building on them.
For more information on the USA Swimming Safe Sport Club Recognition program, visit www.usaswimming.org/ssrp.