An updated Swimming NSW Coach Pool Deck policy has been approved by the Board last week and is now available on the Swimming NSW website HERE. It has also been posted on our social media channels and also the Swimming NSW Coaches social media.
This has been designed to strengthen our Child Safe policy and requires all coaches to register in advance of any Swimming NSW swimming event so that SCTA NSW can validate all Working With Children Checks are current and valid. Coaches not registering 48 hours ahead of an event WILL NOT be accredited and therefore will not be allowed poolside. They will be able to purchase an online spectator ticket on the day. There cannot be any exceptions to this so that we can provide a Child Safe environment.
Managing this implementation alongside SCTA NSW is Darren Howard – darren.howard@nsw.swimming.org.au who I have copied. Coach registration for the 23/24 Season is HERE ( This is the form link https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/73aC247zIyfaG) This has not changed.
SCTA NSW and Swimming NSW will stringently enforce this policy starting at 2023 Swimming NSW Senior State Championships.
In addition to above we are implementing the following steps to maintain pooldeck free from spectator/parents:
- Signage to explicitly say that only accredited athletes and coaches to be poolside.
- This is with the exception of a rostered timekeeper/s (see below)
- All timekeepers must wear a vest and will be identified poolside by wearing a Timekeeper vest.
- Our official photographer will have hi vis vest/s on through the meet.
- Event spectators will not be allowed poolside to take photographs as this is not child safe.
We want to make the environment as Child Safe as possible. It will also help make the pool deck cleaner for coaches to do their job.