USROWING SAFESPORT TRAINING POLICY

Effective January 1, 2022,  all adult participants at Northampton Community Rowing are requested to complete the official USRowing SafeSport training program in compliance with the USRowing Safe Sport Program. 

As noted on the USRowing website, this program is designed to ensure a safe and affirming environment for all athletes, and for youth athletes in particular, by promoting and enforcing policies to “address bullying, hazing, harassment (including sexual harassment), emotional misconduct, physical misconduct and sexual misconduct (including child sexual abuse and/or grooming behaviors).”

This policy applies to all adults ages 18+ who interact with or have access to youth athletes and includes masters rowers, full- and part-time staff, volunteers (including parent volunteers) and Board members.

Athletes 18 years and older who do not have a current SafeSport Training certification will not be eligible to participate in USRowing regattas.

Please see below for some common questions regarding this policy. A complete FAQ from USRowing can be accessed at this link.

QUESTION: How much does the training cost?

ANSWER: There is no cost to take the training. However, you will need an active USRowing membership to enroll in the course. For athletes, the cost of a USRowing membership depends on the plan that you choose. For volunteers, USRowing is offering membership free of charge for the purpose of enrolling in SafeSport training.

QUESTION: What training do I have to take?

ANSWER: If you are 18+ and in an athlete ONLY role, you can take the 30-minute SafeSport Training for Adult Athletes. Coaches and other NCR staff, board members, adult volunteers or other persons of authority must take the 90-minute core training for the first year. You will then take 30-minute refresher courses for the three following years. For the fourth year, you will then be required to retake the initial 90-minute core training course. 

QUESTION: How can I access the training?

ANSWER:

For those who need to take the full 90-minute course (see above):

You can access the training at https://safesporttrained.org. The first time you access the training, enter the enrollment key NGBUSR-RFKt8f. This key must be entered BEFORE you create a SafeSport account (you will be prompted to do so). You will also need to enter your USRowing member during the enrollment process to ensure that your USRowing account reflects that you have fulfilled the training requirement.

For those who are athletes only:

Log into your individual USRowing account at https://membership.usrowing.org/individual/login. Scroll down through the menu on the left-hand side and click on the SafeSport icon. You will then see a prompt to take the Adult Athlete Training (30 min). If you click on enroll and start the course, you might get a pop up telling you to refresh your next page. Click ‘continue’. Once you are on the next page and you see a 401 error, be sure to click refresh on your Internet browser. Once you do, you should see your SafeSport course.

QUESTION: I am a Masters athlete and do not row with the youth team. Do I have to take SafeSport training?

ANSWER: The new policy aligns with the American Olympic Movement and requires that ALL USRowing adult members (18 years and up) participate in SafeSport training in order to participate in USRowing events. If you opt not to complete the training, you will not be eligible to race in any regatta held by USRowing.

In addition, misconduct such as hazing, bullying and harassment can happen at any level; the training helps to ensure that all members are educated on how to recognize misconduct and that our organization can provide a safe and healthy environment for all members. As such, we strongly encourage all adult participants to complete the training, even if you do not plan to compete.

QUESTION: Do volunteers need to take the training? 

ANSWER: Any volunteer who has regular contact with minors is required to take the training. USRowing will offer a free membership for volunteers so they can access the required SafeSport training for free.

Volunteers who do NOT have contact with minors do not need to take the training.

QUESTION: How can I prove that I have completed the training? 

ANSWER: Once you complete the training, your member record in the USRowing membership roster will populate with an updated training expiration date. You will also be able to print your SafeSport Trained certificate or save a PDF. 

Your record will also be available to NCR in the USRowing organizational membership roster, so coaches and staff can verify that your training is up to date.

For further information: Please feel free to contact the USRowing Safe Sport team at USRowingSafeSport@usrowing.org or Member Services at members@usrowing.org.