All clubs (teams) participating in Virginia Swimming must register annually with the LSC and USA Swimming.

Contact the LSC Registration Chair for instructions.

All coaches participating in Virginia Swimming must register annually with the LSC and USA Swimming.  This registration is usually done through the club (team).  If the coach is not affiliated with a club (team), he/she is Unattached and must register directly with the LSC.

USA Swimming Coaches Safety Curriculum

2008-2009 USA Swimming Coaches Safety Certification Requirements
(updated 5/28)
 

CLARIFICATION:  The new requirement – the addition of the STSC online test – is mandatory as of 1 September 2008 for all coaches who renew their STSC certification ON OR AFTER that date.  If you renew your STSC certification PRIOR TO 1 September 2008, you don’t have to take the online test.

Note From USA Swimming Member Services Coordinator (Cathy Durance)
There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the new online test that is part of the Safety Training for Swim Coaches curriculum.  Coaches don’t have to provide proof that they’ve passed the online test until such time as their current STSC certification expires.  Some LSCs have the idea that all coaches are required to take the new online test before they can renew their 2009 membership – this is NOT correct.  Coaches are not required to provide proof that they passed the online test UNTIL their current STSC certification expires.  If a coach's STSC has expired and they provide a new STSC card, then no additional proof that they passed the online test is required.  Proof of the online test is only required if a coach is submitting a lifeguard certification.

 KISS:  Effective 9/1/08 – If a coach is updating his STSC certification with a lifeguard certification, then he must also pass the STSC online written test and submit that confirmation email along with his lifeguard certification.  But if his STSC isn’t expiring anytime soon, he doesn’t need to do anything until it does expire.

As of September 1, 2008, the Foundations of Coaching online test will be based on the Foundations of Coaching DVD. 

 Test questions are taken from:

      A. The Foundations of Coaching DVD, 

      B. The downloadable documents accessible from The Foundations of Coaching DVD and

      C.  The USA Swimming Rules & Regulations

Note: The Foundations of Coaching DVD is available for $25.00 on the USA Swimming online store.  The DVD and accompanying documents make a great start to a coaching library and it is highly recommended that a coach purchase the materials prior to taking the test.  Every coach will automatically be sent a free copy of the USA Swimming Rules & Regulations, which should arrive within 3 months of your registration.
 

USA Swimming Coach Safety Requirements - Waiver for Coaches with Physical Disabilities

Frequently Asked Questions - New Coach Requirements

Background Screening

Background Screening Renewal

Reminder:  Coaches must renew their background screening prior to the expiration date.  Renewal is the same process as the initial screening.  Coaches will not be allowed on deck in a coaching capacity with expired background screens.  Here's an important memo from USA Swimming that explains the renewal process.

Contact the LSC Registration Chair for instructions.
 

All athletes participating in Virginia Swimming must register annually with the LSC and USA Swimming.  This registration is usually done through the club (team), electronically.  If the athlete is not affiliated with a club (team), he/she is Unattached and must register directly with the LSC.

Contact your club (team) or, if unattached, contact the LSC Registration Chair for instructions.

Athletes who move from another LSC to Virginia Swimming, or who switch clubs (teams) within the LSC, or who decide to compete unattached during the calendar year must complete and submit a transfer form.  The form must be signed by the parent/guardian or athlete, if over 18.

Important reminder on transfer requirements!
Clubs and coaches are reminded that when a swimmer wishes to transfer to another team,  Article 203 of the USA Swimming Rules and Regulations applies.  Among the requirements of Article 203 are that the swimmer must arrange for the completion of a transfer form by the 'old' club and may not represent the 'new' club until 120 days have elapsed since last representing the 'old' club.  A swimmer may elect to assume "Unattached" status at any time. 

As to a rule against recruiting, that is part of the USA Swimming Code of Conduct which applies to ALL members of USA Swimming.  The prohibition against recruiting is in Article 304, the Code, under 304.3.13.

USA SWIMMING ARTICLE 203:
203.6 If a member club of an LSC has secured a court judgment against an athlete member (or his/her parents or custodians) for non-payment of club membership dues and fees which entitle the athlete to compete attached to the club that athlete shall be ineligible to represent any USA Swimming member club until the judgment is paid.  All athletes properly registered have the right to compete.  If a judgment has been secured, the athlete will be transferred to unattached status.

Please include the transfer fee ($1.00) and athlete's membership card, if available.  It is not necessary to send the membership card if the athlete is transferring from another Virginia Swimming club.

Athlete Transfer Memorandum

Athlete Transfer Application

Anyone who doesn't compete register as a Non-Athlete.  Members of the LSC's Board of Directors, Delegates to the LSC's House of Delegates, and Officials must register annually with the LSC and USA Swimming.

2009 Non-Athlete Registration Form
 

USA Swimming does not offer a “trial period” or “grace period” for membership.  What the insurance company does allow is an “official tryout period.”  Here is the definition of the allowed tryout period:

 The USA Swimming Insurance Program provides General Liability coverage for the club, coaches and USA Swimming members when a non-USA Swimming member is swimming with a club during a tryout period.  However, coverage is only valid if:  (a) all the coaches on deck are USA Swimming members and;  (b) the tryout period is limited to 30 consecutive days within a twelve month period for any one individual and clinics sponsored by a USA Swimming entity (such as LSC or USA Swimming club).  Tryout period only applies to individuals who have never been members of USA Swimming previously.

 Note:  The non-member is not provided any coverage under the USA Swimming program.  If said individual was injured or caused an injury, he/she would have to look to his/her family medical and/or family liability insurance.

 To clarify, if an athlete is injured during the tryout period and they are a non-member, there is no insurance coverage for that athlete.  They should be notified prior to their trying out that if something were to happen they would need to look to their own insurance policy for coverage.  We don’t require a signed waiver but if the club wanted to, they could use this sample waiver (Non-Member Liability Release). 
 

Outreach membership offers qualified individuals the opportunity to become a USA Swimming year-round athlete member at a reduced fee.  The national fee for outreach membership is $5.00.  Virginia Swimming has wavered its fee.  The outreach from must be filled out and submitted with the necessary documentation to the club's registration person (or to the LSC Registration Chair, if competing unattached).  When that person has verified the documents provided, the registration form with fee will be sent to the LSC's Registration Chair.  Please don't send documentation to her (unless you are competing unattached).

Diversity Athlete Application