USBC participates in USOC SafeSport audit review
October 17, 2017
ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Bowling Congress recently participated in a SafeSport audit and review in collaboration with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). USOC hired an independent audit firm to review SafeSport policies and procedures for all National Governing Bodies and High Performance Management Organizations.
“The SafeSport audit process highlighted some strengths and was helpful in showing areas for improvement of USBC’s SafeSport program,” said USBC Executive Director Chad Murphy. “USBC has been focused on the issue of protecting young athletes for years, having launched the USBC Registered Volunteer Program more than a decade ago.”
The USOC audit gave USBC a clean report in the area of background checks. USBC requires those connected with the Team USA program to have a criminal background check. In 2012, USBC instituted the requirement that all USBC certified coaches nationwide had to have mandatory criminal background screening by the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) through the RVP program. The program also requires coaches to renew their RVP every other year.
“Background checks are an important part of safety,” said Murphy. “We are proud of USBC’s history in this area and encourage all USBC volunteers to be part of the USBC RVP program.”
The audit also found an area for improvement in the tracking of USBC’s SafeSport education of Team USA staff.
“USBC has been providing our Team USA staff and athletes with education and training since SafeSport started, but we made an administrative error and did not track it properly,” said Murphy. “It was an unfortunate mistake, but something we immediately corrected.”
Additionally, the audit report recommended USBC adjusts administrative materials to clarify the SafeSport policy includes athletes under the age of 18.
“Athlete safety is a priority for USBC and we will remain committed to continuing to meet SafeSport standards,” Murphy said.
USOC will publish a copy of the USBC SafeSport audit on its website, TeamUSA.org.
“The SafeSport audit process highlighted some strengths and was helpful in showing areas for improvement of USBC’s SafeSport program,” said USBC Executive Director Chad Murphy. “USBC has been focused on the issue of protecting young athletes for years, having launched the USBC Registered Volunteer Program more than a decade ago.”
The USOC audit gave USBC a clean report in the area of background checks. USBC requires those connected with the Team USA program to have a criminal background check. In 2012, USBC instituted the requirement that all USBC certified coaches nationwide had to have mandatory criminal background screening by the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI) through the RVP program. The program also requires coaches to renew their RVP every other year.
“Background checks are an important part of safety,” said Murphy. “We are proud of USBC’s history in this area and encourage all USBC volunteers to be part of the USBC RVP program.”
The audit also found an area for improvement in the tracking of USBC’s SafeSport education of Team USA staff.
“USBC has been providing our Team USA staff and athletes with education and training since SafeSport started, but we made an administrative error and did not track it properly,” said Murphy. “It was an unfortunate mistake, but something we immediately corrected.”
Additionally, the audit report recommended USBC adjusts administrative materials to clarify the SafeSport policy includes athletes under the age of 18.
“Athlete safety is a priority for USBC and we will remain committed to continuing to meet SafeSport standards,” Murphy said.
USOC will publish a copy of the USBC SafeSport audit on its website, TeamUSA.org.