USA SWIMMING SAFE SPORT PROGRAM

WST is committed to protecting your swimmers by following the MAAPP Safe Sport Policies defined by USA Swimming.  In addition, WST has added some of its own policies to further create a safe environment specific to our club. If ever WST policy and USA swimming policy overlap, USA swimming policy will prevail.  All WST athletes and parents need to read and understand all information on this page.

USA Swimming is committed to fostering a fun, healthy and safe environment for all of its members. For that reason, USA Swimming has in place a detailed Code of Conduct  .  The following rules, policies, reporting structure, education and tools are intended to serve our members as we work together to maintain this environment.

WST MAAPP POLICY

Code of Conduct - Coaches

Code of Conduct - Athletes

Code of Conduct - Parent

First Line of Defense

Background checks and pre-employment screens are critical tools to selecting the best possible people for staff and volunteer positions by USA Swimming clubs.  All WST coaches, officials, and volunteers must satisfactorily pass a criminal background check in order to become non-athlete members of USA Swimming.  Additionally, all USA Swimming clubs must perform three required pre-employment screens on any new employee. 

Parent Education

The USA Swimming Safe Sport Program is proud to offer free athlete protection training to the parents of our member athletes.  Parents are a critical component to our overall goal to protecting children from sexual abuse.  The comprehensive online programming includes information about how offenders operate; how to recognize and respond to boundary violations, myths and facts about child sexual abuse and USA Swimming’s Athlete Protection Policies and Procedures.  SAFE SPORT FOR SWIM PARENTS

Recognizing and Reporting

Mandatory reporting laws: "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, shall make a report of the suspected abuse to law enforcement and/or your state's designated agency within 24 hours." ​833-5US-SAFE (587-7233)

The mission of the Winchester Swim Team is to provide a, safe, healthy, positive and diverse program which supports and encourages swimmers of all levels, and which promotes a sense of sportsmanship, healthy competition, and team spirit.
 
WST Vision Statement
The Winchester Swim Team (WST) seeks to always operate in an atmosphere where all swimmers feel welcomed, safe, positive, encouraged, and supported in achieving their goals.  In addition, the WST seeks to develop a team spirit among family members, as well as swimmers, through continuing to educate them in the sport of swimming and always encouraging families to volunteer in support of their swimmers, their team, and their sport.