Monday, October 31, 2022
Safe Sport Club Recognition Spotlight: Oyster River Otters
The Oyster River Otters in New Hampshire have always emphasized respect and kindness within their team culture. With the development of Safe Sport, they now have been able to further their commitment to ensuring their athletes, coaches and parents feel safe, respected and included as part of their team. Their efforts have earned them USA Swimming Safe Sport Club Recognition status in 2022. Head coach, Laura Fant, outlines how the team uses Safe Sport to further develop their team culture in this month’s USA Swimming Safe Sport spotlight.
1. What are three ways your team implements Safe Sport policies for your athletes, parents and coaches?
The Oyster River Otters have made sure all families have access to Safe Sport information, including contact numbers, by putting all policies on our website. We discuss this information with our parents on a yearly basis at our annual fall membership meeting and at various times throughout the year in our weekly news blasts. The board uses the free templates provided by USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program to further solidify our principles. These principles are the foundation of our team, and as we welcome new coaches, board members, athletes and parents, it continues to shape our philosophy and team culture.
2. How effective do you feel these policies have been in shaping your team’s culture?
The Oyster River Otters swimming community prioritizes respect and kindness, and Safe Sport policies amplify that message. We particularly focus on how the principles of Safe Sport allow us to ensure ALL members of our swimming community feel safe, respected and have a sense of belonging; particularly from underserved groups.
3. What advice would you give other clubs trying to implement Safe Sport procedures into their team operations?
Implementing Safe Sport procedures is not as hard as one might think because many teams are already doing this. If the team is one that values and respects individuals, then they just need to use the templates to help ensure the Safe Sport principles remain a solid foundation for their program. Simply get started on the process and you’ll be surprised at how easily so much of it comes together.
For more on USA Swimming's Safe Sport Recognition Program, visit https://www.usaswimming.org/safe-sport/safe-sport-recognition-program.
1. What are three ways your team implements Safe Sport policies for your athletes, parents and coaches?
The Oyster River Otters have made sure all families have access to Safe Sport information, including contact numbers, by putting all policies on our website. We discuss this information with our parents on a yearly basis at our annual fall membership meeting and at various times throughout the year in our weekly news blasts. The board uses the free templates provided by USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program to further solidify our principles. These principles are the foundation of our team, and as we welcome new coaches, board members, athletes and parents, it continues to shape our philosophy and team culture.
2. How effective do you feel these policies have been in shaping your team’s culture?
The Oyster River Otters swimming community prioritizes respect and kindness, and Safe Sport policies amplify that message. We particularly focus on how the principles of Safe Sport allow us to ensure ALL members of our swimming community feel safe, respected and have a sense of belonging; particularly from underserved groups.
3. What advice would you give other clubs trying to implement Safe Sport procedures into their team operations?
Implementing Safe Sport procedures is not as hard as one might think because many teams are already doing this. If the team is one that values and respects individuals, then they just need to use the templates to help ensure the Safe Sport principles remain a solid foundation for their program. Simply get started on the process and you’ll be surprised at how easily so much of it comes together.
For more on USA Swimming's Safe Sport Recognition Program, visit https://www.usaswimming.org/safe-sport/safe-sport-recognition-program.