Swim BC has been working diligently over the past year to address gaps in the delivery our SafeSport requirements and responsibilities. As you’re likely aware, we have been able to address a consolidated Swim BC centric approach to Coaches Criminal Record Checks. That process is working well, streamlined through the Province of BC Criminal Records Review Program. Swim BC staff were required to undergo extensive background checks to be able manage this program.
With a renewed Screening and Criminal Records Check Policy, Swim BC now requires certain club volunteers to provide CRC’s. Like all organizational policies, it is the club’s responsibility to adhere to Swim BC policy. Therefore, it is the club that is responsible to present to Swim BC a list of volunteers that, according to our policy, will require a CRC. Once this list is presented to Swim BC, the CRC’s we received will be monitored against that list. Please note that volunteer CRC’s are free of charge through the Criminal Record Review Program.
Individuals who work closely with children and vulnerable adults, who occupy positions of trust and authority within a member club are expected to submit a Criminal Record Check. This includes team managers, chaperones, and registered Level 3,4 & 5 Officials.
The process to submit a Volunteer Criminal Record Check to Swim BC is as follows:
Fill out the Volunteer Criminal Record Check Form. This notifies Swim BC to anticipate a Criminal Record Check from the Volunteer and ensures we match the results with the correct individual.
Submit a Criminal Record Check application through the Criminal Record Review Program. You will need the Swim BC specific access code which will be circulated separately.
Swim BC will receive a Clearance Letter from the CRRP, which indicates whether the volunteer poses a risk to the organization. We will keep a record of who has submitted a Criminal Record Check to Swim BC and these checks will be valid for 5 years. If the volunteer works with multiple clubs or transfers clubs within the 5 years, they do not need to resubmit a Criminal Record Check to Swim BC.
Only individuals with relevant offences that required adjudication will be informed of their Criminal Record Check status (see Policy, Section 6 – Relevant Offences). If a club needs to verify if a Volunteer has completed a Criminal Record Check, please reach out to Sam Thoms. She will be able to verify if Swim BC has received a Criminal Record Check from that individual.
The Swim BC President’s Award is awarded to a long serving individual within the BC Swimming Community who has had a significant and lasting impact on the direction of the sport. This year’s winner is Jeannie Lo from the Canadian Dolphins Swim Club. Swim BC profoundly values the strength of our club system. It is volunteers such as Jeannie that provide the leadership and untold hours of volunteerism that move our sport forward. The work she has done to not only advance the Canadian Dolphins’ “Return to Swimming” opportunities to gain access to the Vancouver Aquatic Centre in the face of challenging conditions, but to also represented all clubs that access pool time at the VAC, has provided a strong voice for our sport. We cannot thank Jeannie enough for her service to BC swimming.
The Swim BC President’s Award is awarded to a long serving individual within the BC Swimming Community who has had a significant and lasting impact on the direction of the sport. This year’s winner is Jeannie Lo from Canadian Dolphins Swim Club. Swim BC profoundly values the strength of our club system. It is volunteers such as Jeannie that provide the leadership and untold hours of volunteerism that move our sport forward. The work she has done to not only advance your clubs “Return to Swimming” opportunities to gain access to the Vancouver Aquatic Centre in the face of challenging conditions, but to have also represented all clubs that access pool time at the VAC, has provided a strong voice for our sport. We cannot thank Jeannie enough for her service to BC swimming.
The Hyack Swim Club has a rich legacy of performance, since their inception in 1973 through to and including this past 2019-2020 season. They demonstrate strong governance; have a highly qualified and fully registered coaching staff; they rank at the top of the province in combined club FINA points; combined Provincial Champ scoring; total number of National qualifiers; number of registered officials; have demonstrated a positive swimmer registration and retention trend; and fully participated in all Swim BC Provincial Championship meets. Swim BC congratulates the Hyack Board of Directors, coaching staff, swimmers and parents on being named the Swim BC Club of the Year for 2019 -2020.
Peter Huang swims for the Hyack Swim Club. At Winter Provincials in Victoria, he broke the National Record in the Long Course Men’s 13-14 400m Free. During the 2019-2020 season, he also broke 8 Provincial Records. Peter is extremely hard working and dedicated to our sport. Swim BC would like to recognize his accomplishments and commend him for representing BC Swimming Excellence.
The Hyack Swim Club has a rich legacy of performance, since their inception in 1973 through to and including this past 2019-2020 season. They demonstrate strong governance; have a highly qualified and fully registered coaching staff; they rank at the top of the province in combined club FINA points; combined Provincial Champ scoring; total number of National qualifiers; number of registered officials; have demonstrated a positive swimmer registration and retention trend; and fully participated in all Swim BC Provincial Championship meets. Swim BC congratulates the Hyack Board of Directors, coaching staff, swimmers and parents on being named the Swim BC Club of the Year for 2019 -2020.
