Safe Sport Policy Release
Dear Parents and legal guardians of USA Gymnastics athletes:
Over the past several months, USA Gymnastics has been working to strengthen its athlete safety policies that serve the ultimate purpose of keeping athletes in an environment free from abuse and misconduct. The 2022-23 USA Gymnastics Safe Sport Policy, which builds on and expands the current Safe Sport policy, was created in accordance and compliance with the U.S. Center for Safe Sport, and includes all mandatory components of the Center’s model policy, the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP).
The USA Gymnastics Safe Sport Policy addresses educational requirements for USA Gymnastics members, Member Club requirements, a summary of misconduct, prevention policies that define adult and minor interactions, as well as Safe Sport requirements for sanctioned events. USA Gymnastics has outlined 11 Prevention Policies that include:
To help navigate the updated policy, USA Gymnastics Safe Sport has made a number of resources available. We have set up a dedicated email address, [email protected], where you can have questions answered by our Safe Sport department. You may find the Safe Sport Policy, FAQs, a breakdown of policies, parental consent forms and all related documents here. Additional resources include important webinars, which can be found under the parents tab of the USA Gymnastics Safe Sport site and informative articles at usagymparents.com.
Additionally, USA Gymnastics partnered with the U.S. Center for SafeSport on an important webinar for parents. In this webinar titled, “Parent’s Guide to Understanding Safe Sport,” we discuss the differences between USA Gymnastics Safe Sport and the Center for SafeSport, the Center for SafeSport’s Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP), an overview of USA Gymnastics Safe Sport policy, and the federal SafeSport Code. All parents are encouraged to watch this important presentation to gain a better understanding of the efforts being made to create and maintain safe environments for our athletes.
As a parent or guardian, you are an essential and vital part of our athlete safety initiatives. As a powerful advocate for your child, you can help us by increasing your familiarity with this policy, as well as the initiatives your child’s club is taking toward fostering a safe and positive environment. Athlete safety requires club owners, coaches, staff and parents to work together in establishing a safe and encouraging environment. We encourage you to work together with your club, coaches and other parents in helping create a safe and healthy environment for all athletes.
On behalf of USA Gymnastics, we want to thank all of the parents and families who have continued to give their children the opportunity to participate in gymnastics. The importance of your involvement and sacrifice is immeasurable, and we cannot succeed in these efforts without you.
Over the past several months, USA Gymnastics has been working to strengthen its athlete safety policies that serve the ultimate purpose of keeping athletes in an environment free from abuse and misconduct. The 2022-23 USA Gymnastics Safe Sport Policy, which builds on and expands the current Safe Sport policy, was created in accordance and compliance with the U.S. Center for Safe Sport, and includes all mandatory components of the Center’s model policy, the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP).
The USA Gymnastics Safe Sport Policy addresses educational requirements for USA Gymnastics members, Member Club requirements, a summary of misconduct, prevention policies that define adult and minor interactions, as well as Safe Sport requirements for sanctioned events. USA Gymnastics has outlined 11 Prevention Policies that include:
- One-on-one interactions
- Parental access to practice
- Medical modalities and medical orders
- Locker rooms and changing areas
- Electronic communication and social media
- Transportation
- Lodging
- Gifting
- Virtual training
- Photography and videography
- Alcohol and drug use
To help navigate the updated policy, USA Gymnastics Safe Sport has made a number of resources available. We have set up a dedicated email address, [email protected], where you can have questions answered by our Safe Sport department. You may find the Safe Sport Policy, FAQs, a breakdown of policies, parental consent forms and all related documents here. Additional resources include important webinars, which can be found under the parents tab of the USA Gymnastics Safe Sport site and informative articles at usagymparents.com.
Additionally, USA Gymnastics partnered with the U.S. Center for SafeSport on an important webinar for parents. In this webinar titled, “Parent’s Guide to Understanding Safe Sport,” we discuss the differences between USA Gymnastics Safe Sport and the Center for SafeSport, the Center for SafeSport’s Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP), an overview of USA Gymnastics Safe Sport policy, and the federal SafeSport Code. All parents are encouraged to watch this important presentation to gain a better understanding of the efforts being made to create and maintain safe environments for our athletes.
As a parent or guardian, you are an essential and vital part of our athlete safety initiatives. As a powerful advocate for your child, you can help us by increasing your familiarity with this policy, as well as the initiatives your child’s club is taking toward fostering a safe and positive environment. Athlete safety requires club owners, coaches, staff and parents to work together in establishing a safe and encouraging environment. We encourage you to work together with your club, coaches and other parents in helping create a safe and healthy environment for all athletes.
On behalf of USA Gymnastics, we want to thank all of the parents and families who have continued to give their children the opportunity to participate in gymnastics. The importance of your involvement and sacrifice is immeasurable, and we cannot succeed in these efforts without you.
Member Information
2022-2023 Membership Season: The 2021-2022 membership season is now open. First, verify with your club that your athlete needs a USA Gymnastics membership! Second, check out the how-to guide for parents to learn how to:
- Renew your athlete's membership
- Review and edit your child’s membership information
- Print a membership card
- Change club affiliations
- Access your child’s My Profile page by logging into usagym.org with your username and password
- Register for educational courses
Parent Resources
Visit usagymparents.com to access valuable resources, including FAQs, articles and videos from expert partners, such as TrueSport and the Positive Coaching Alliance (both organizations are dedicated to building a positive culture in youth sports).
Parent Articles
Seeing Athletes as Individuals
How to Choose Footwear for Youth Athletes
7 Tips for Meal Prep to Fuel Young Athletes for the Week
When to Apply Heat and Cold for Recovery
Supplement Series Part Five: What Supplements are Safe to Use?
100 Days to Maximize College Recruiting
Parent Webinars
When to Send Your Gymnast to a Medical Professional
Early Sport Specialization and Preventing Injuries in Gymnastics
Teach Your Child How to Hit a Goal
Archived Parent Webinars
Parent Articles
Seeing Athletes as Individuals
How to Choose Footwear for Youth Athletes
7 Tips for Meal Prep to Fuel Young Athletes for the Week
When to Apply Heat and Cold for Recovery
Supplement Series Part Five: What Supplements are Safe to Use?
100 Days to Maximize College Recruiting
Parent Webinars
When to Send Your Gymnast to a Medical Professional
Early Sport Specialization and Preventing Injuries in Gymnastics
Teach Your Child How to Hit a Goal
Archived Parent Webinars
Creating a Culture of Safety
Parents Guide to Understanding Safe Sport: USA Gymnastics partnered with the U.S. Center for SafeSport on an important webinar for parents. In this webinar titled, “Parent’s Guide to Understanding Safe Sport,” we discuss the differences between USA Gymnastics Safe Sport and the Center for SafeSport, an overview of USA Gymnastics Safe Sport policy, and the federal SafeSport Code.
All parents are encouraged to watch this important conversation to gain a better understanding of the efforts being made to create and maintain safe environments for our athletes.
USA Gymnastics Concussion Education: USA Gymnastics is now offering the U201: USA Gymnastics Concussion Education course. This course covers the recognition, medical diagnosis and management of gymnasts who sustain a suspected concussion during gymnastics activity. This course is appropriate for athletes, parents, coaches, officials and licensed healthcare professionals.
SafeSport Annual Course: Did you know that USA Gymnastics requires all adult (18+) members and any adult in a member club who has regular contact with or authority over minors to complete the U110 Safe Sport course annually? Click here to learn more.
USA Gymnastics Members Must Report: The USA Gymnastics Safe Sport Policy mandates that all members follow state and federal laws governing reporting child abuse. All members 18 and older are subject to USA Gymnastics’ Safe Sport Policy and are required to report all instances of possible child abuse or neglect to law enforcement and state child protection services. Click here for questions related to filing a report.
All parents are encouraged to watch this important conversation to gain a better understanding of the efforts being made to create and maintain safe environments for our athletes.
USA Gymnastics Concussion Education: USA Gymnastics is now offering the U201: USA Gymnastics Concussion Education course. This course covers the recognition, medical diagnosis and management of gymnasts who sustain a suspected concussion during gymnastics activity. This course is appropriate for athletes, parents, coaches, officials and licensed healthcare professionals.
SafeSport Annual Course: Did you know that USA Gymnastics requires all adult (18+) members and any adult in a member club who has regular contact with or authority over minors to complete the U110 Safe Sport course annually? Click here to learn more.
USA Gymnastics Members Must Report: The USA Gymnastics Safe Sport Policy mandates that all members follow state and federal laws governing reporting child abuse. All members 18 and older are subject to USA Gymnastics’ Safe Sport Policy and are required to report all instances of possible child abuse or neglect to law enforcement and state child protection services. Click here for questions related to filing a report.