The U.S. Center for SafeSport, in accordance with federal law, recently updated its education policy. These policy changes may have an impact on your gymnastics facility.

In a nutshell, the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s updated policies include a Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy. This policy requires educational efforts from all Olympic sports. The Center is putting the finishing touches on its policy, but we anticipate it will go into effect after the first of the year. Depending on their responsibilities in the club, non-member adults in USA Gymnastics member clubs may now be required to complete the U110: U.S. Center for SafeSport course.

So, what does this mean?
For USA Gymnastics, the policy change means that every member club must ensure that every adult in the club who has regular contact with or authority over minors must complete the U110: U.S. Center for SafeSport course. This applies to all adults, whether or not the adult is a USA Gymnastics member, if they, teach, supervise or interact with minor athletes.

Who must comply?
All adults with who regularly interact with minor athletes, or who have authority over minor athletes, must comply with this policy. At a minimum, all non-member coaching staff at a member club must complete the U110: U.S. Center for SafeSport course. Any adult who interacts with minor children on behalf of the club must take the U110 course. We encourage member clubs to have their non-member staff take the course as soon as possible.

What does it cost?
Nothing. There is zero cost to take the 90-minute course.

How do the non-member adults register for the course?
Registering for the course is simple: each individual creates a profile on the USA Gymnastics website. After setting up the profile, the individual clicks on the U110 button to register. The course has three parts, all of which must be completed. USA Gymnastics has developed step-by-step instructions that clubs can provide to this information to those who need to take the course. Click here to view and share.

How does a club know an individual has completed the course?
Once the individual has completed all three parts of the course, USA Gymnastics will issue a certificate of completion. The individual should submit a printed certificate of completion to the club administrator to keep on file.

Does this mean that each individual must become USA Gymnastics members?
No, this is an educational effort to have any adult with authority over a minor athlete at a member club safe-sport trained.

Why?
The goal is to bring greater awareness of athlete safety, not only in USA Gymnastics but also in all amateur sports. The U.S. Center for SafeSport course is an important educational tool toward building a strong community effort for safety.

Questions?
Please contact the Member Services Department at 800.345.4719 or via email at membership@usagym.org with any questions.

We thank you in advance for your continued commitment to safe sport education.