USA Fencing

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – An updated version of the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies will go into effect for all USA Fencing members and clubs beginning August 1, 2021.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport created the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies, a collection of proactive prevention and training policies for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement to help create a safer and healthier environment in which minor athletes can thrive.

To view the updated MAAPP, click here.

The MAAPP was originally released in 2019 to support organizations and individuals in preventing abuse in sport and meeting requirements under federal law. The updated MAAPP, features new and revised policies, including:

• Requirement of advanced written consent for individual training sessions (annually)
• Definitions for regular contact and in-program contact
• A chart overviewing adult participants within USA Fencing
• Close-in age, dual-relationship and personal care assistant exceptions

For a description of all noteworthy revisions, click here.

The updated MAAPP is available on the SafeSport page of the USA Fencing website and as a link in the membership renewal form. All members must sign the updated MAAPP at the time of membership renewal. 

USA Fencing has also provided an updated MAAPP toolkit for clubs, which includes downloadable handouts of each of the policies, sample consent forms, MAAPP club signage and information on the noteworthy revisions.

Additionally, the Center will host free trainings throughout 2021 that are specifically focused on the successful implementation of the MAAPP, including customized training sessions for coaches, parents, adult athletes and administrators:

• Parents: August 2 at 6 p.m. EDT
• Coaches: August 12 at  8 p.m. EDT
• Adult Athletes: August 19 at 8 p.m. EDT
• Administrators: July 26 at 3 p.m. EDT

Click here for more information (more dates will be added) and to register for the webinar. Please note: These optional trainings do not count toward the SafeSport Trained™ Core and Refresher courses that are required by the MAAPP.

For any questions about the updated MAAPP, please email safesport@usafencing.org.