Athlete Wellness and SafeSport

Athlete Wellness and SafeSport is a high priority for the Send Town Bike Club Organization. We focus on creating a positive and healthy team environment for all—through policies, training and resources. USA Cycling also provides important Member Well-Being Resources.

Code of Conduct

All coaches, staff, volunteers, athletes, and parents must abide by the Organization’s Code of Conduct, which includes mandatory reporting for any suspected or known instances of child abuse or neglect. Any known prohibited conduct or violations of this code shall be reported to at least one of the following immediately: the Director of Sport, Executive Director, or the Board of Directors.

SafeSport

SafeSport is a set of resources and policies to safeguard athletes from bullying, harassment, hazing, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and sexual misconduct. The Organization requires adults who have regular contact with or authority over minor athletes to complete training and follow the SafeSport policy. This includes coaches, staff, volunteers, board members, and chaperones. Age-appropriate SafeSport training is available for all. Read more about the USA Cycling SafeSport program.

TO REPORT SAFESPORT CONCERNS: Contact the USA Center for SafeSport. In addition, you can contact the Board of Directors.

Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy

MAAPP is a set of guidelines established by numerous sport organizations.The goal is to eliminate isolated, one-on-one interactions between children and adults. Establishing clear boundaries for one-on-one interactions reduces the risk of physical, sexual, and emotional misconduct as well as opportunities for bullying, harassment, and hazing. The majority of child sexual abuse is perpetrated in isolated, one-on-one situations. By reducing such interaction between children and adults, programs reduce the risk of child sexual abuse. However, one-on-one time with trusted adults is also healthy and valuable for a child. Policies concerning one-on-one interactions protect children while allowing for these beneficial relationships. Read more about the USA Cycling Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy.

There are a host of guidelines, but key are: meetings, one-on-one coaching, car sharing, and electronic communications.

  • Meetings between adults and minor athletes: Must be observable and interruptible by another adult.

  • Individual training sessions: Must be observable and interruptible by another adult, unless agreed to in writing by the minor athlete’s parent/legal guardian in advance.

  • Car sharing: Adults shall not ride in a vehicle alone with an unrelated minor athlete, unless agreed to in writing by the minor athlete’s parent/legal guardian in advance (emergency circumstances excepted). Transportation is allowed when at least two minor athletes or another adult are in the vehicle.

  • Electronic communications: one-on-one texting, email, and direct messaging between adults and minor athletes should be avoided. Electronic communications should include a 3rd party. When texting or messaging each other, athletes and coaches should always copy another coach or parent.

TO REPORT MINOR ATHLETE ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY VIOLATIONS: Contact the USA Center for SafeSport. In addition, you can contact the Board of Directors.