Reporting & Grievances
USA Water Polo members and participants are prohibited from misconduct, including but not limited to sexual, emotional, physical misconduct as well as bullying, hazing, and harassment as per the U.S. Center for SafeSport's Code and USA Water Polo Rules Governing Member Conduct.
CLICK HERE TO REPORT A CONCERN TO THE US CENTER FOR SAFESPORT
Violations of SafeSport Code Involving Sexual Misconduct - If you have reasonable suspicion of sexual misconduct such as child sexual abuse, non-consensual sexual conduct, sexual harassment, or intimate relationships involving an imbalance of power, please REPORT to the US Center for SafeSport electronically on their website https://USCenterForSafeSport.org or via phone at 1-720-531-0340. Participants should not attempt to investigate or evaluate the credibility of any allegation involving the foregoing types of misconduct before submitting a Report as doing so may interfere with the Center's investigation and could delay the Center's response to the alleged conduct. The Center has exclusive jurisdiction to respond and resolve allegations of sexual misconduct. If USA Water Polo receives an allegation of sexual misconduct, it immediately forwards it to the Center.
Mandatory Reporting - Adult Participants MUST report any conduct of which they become aware that could constitute sexual misconduct, misconduct that is related to an underlying allegation of sexual misconduct, child abuse or neglect, or retaliation related to an allegation of sexual misconduct directly to the Center electronically at https://USCenterForSafeSport.org or via phone at 1-720-531-0340. Report to local authorities such as law enforcement or childwelfare.gov if you have reasonable suspicion that child sexual abuse or neglect has occurred. All reports of child abuse or sexual assault of a minor MUST also be reported to local authorities in addition to the Center. Reports of abuse not involving a minor may also be reported to local authorities.
View the Center's Mandatory Reporting Guide.
Violations of the SafeSport Code Other Than Violations Involving Sexual Misconduct - Violations of the Code OTHER than sexual misconduct may be made to the Center and/or USA Water Polo. Violations of the Code that are reported to USA Water Polo will ALSO be forwarded to the Center to determine if the Center wishes to exercise jurisdiction over the reported violation. In the event the Center exercises jurisdiction, the Center's policies and procedures will take effect for the duration of the process. In the event that the Center declines jurisdiction over a reported violation, USA Water Polo will notify the reporting party, who may then elect to proceed to employ USA Water Polo's grievance procedures as provided in Article 16 of the Bylaws with respect to the reported violation. To report to the Center you may submit your report electronically at https://USCenterForSafeSport.org or via phone at 1-720-531-0340. To report to USA Water Polo, please email report@usawaterpolo.org.
Violations Other than the SafeSport Code - Reports of violations of misconduct including violations of Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies, allegations of emotional misconduct, physical misconduct, and misconduct other than violations of the SafeSport Code, should be made to USA Water Polo, which will then administer the reported violation in accordance with USA Water Polo's grievance procedures as provided in Article 16 of the Bylaws. To report to USA Water Polo, please email report@usawaterpolo.org. Reports can also be made to USA Water Polo anonymously and free of charge by going to the USAWP Feedback Form
Please visit the Grievance Page for more details.
The above information summarizes in part the procedures that will be followed in relation to grievances filed pursuant to USA Water Polo Rules. Parties considering the filing of a grievance are urged to carefully review the information below and further details as listed in the Grievance Procedures Document 
and the Rules Governing Conduct listed in the section above. For the full policy, you may also review the USA Water Polo Bylaws (Article 16, Complaint Procedures). The procedures followed by the Center with respect to grievances referred to the Center are posted on the Center's website at https://uscenterforsafesport.org. Parties considering the filing of a grievance are urged to review all procedures prior to doing so.
U.S. Anti Doping Agency
GlobalDRO
Athletes should always check the status of medications prior to use. One of the fastest ways to search the status of a medication and/or ingredient is by using Global Drug Reference Online (GlobalDRO.com), which provides easily accessible and accurate information on the status of brand-name pharmaceutical products sold in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Some over-the-counter medicinal products are also included in the database. Global DRO® does not contain information on, or relating to, dietary supplements because they are associated with unreliable manufacturing and evaluation practices. If an athlete can’t find the brand name of their medication on Global DRO, they can also search the active ingredients listed on the medication label, which is often necessary in the case of cold, flu, and other such over-the-counter medications.
If a medication cannot be found on GlobalDRO.com, that does not mean it is permitted. Please contact drugreference@USADA.org or call (719) 785-2000 and follow the prompts to connect to USADA’s Drug Reference Line.
Supplement Connect
USADA has created an online resource designed to provide athletes and support persons with the best possible information to evaluate the risks associated with the use of supplements. From product contamination to issues with product labeling, Supplement Connect provides athletes and support persons with information that will help them Realize that safety issues exist, Recognize risk when they see it, and Reduce their risk of testing positive or experiencing harmful effects from the use of dietary supplements. To learn more about the dietary supplement industry and access valuable information, including the TrueSport Supplement Guide, visit USADA.org/supplement-connect.
Play Clean Tip Center
In its mission to champion athletes to achieve their dreams in a fair and healthy way and to inspire the world, USADA is unwavering in its belief that every athlete has the right to compete on a clean and level playing field, free from the pressures and influences of performance-enhancing drugs. For this reason, USADA makes available a number of ways to report the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in sport in an effort to protect clean athletes and promote clean competition.
If you would like to remain anonymous to USADA, do not provide any contact information. However, if you are willing to communicate directly with USADA’s Investigation Team regarding your tip, please provide contact information, and someone will respond to you. Please be advised that all Play Clean Tips are considered confidential information and that speaking to or otherwise communicating with USADA does not change the confidential status of the information provided or waive your right to remain anonymous throughout USADA’s investigation of another person and any resulting disciplinary proceedings.
Contact USADA’s Play Clean Tip Center to confidentially report the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in sport by:
-
Calling: 1-877-752-9253
-
Anonymous texting: 87232 (“USADA”)
-
Emailing: playclean@USADA.org
-
If reporting a tip from outside the United States, text +1 719-748-USADA
Athlete Connect
USADA works hard to ensure we deliver quality anti-doping technologies for our athletes. With Athlete Connect, athletes and their support personnel will have a more streamlined and reliable way to file and update Whereabouts, complete education requirements, access test results, and quickly navigate to Global DRO and USADA’s many other resources.
As with any technology, the web application will continue to evolve to best meet the needs of users. We encourage athletes to support that process by sharing feedback with us at AthleteConnect@USADA.org or by calling (719) 785-2000 or Toll Free at (866) 601-2632 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mountain Time. Monday through Friday.
Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs)
There may be a time during an athlete’s career when they have a legitimate medical need to use a prohibited substance or method. If the recommended medication is prohibited, athletes are required to take precautions to not only meet their medical needs but also abide by the anti-doping rules. Athletes in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP), Clean Athlete Program (CAP), and Education Pool (EP) require a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) in advance of the use of a prohibited substance or method. All other athletes, including recreational athletes, should submit a TUE Pre-Check Form to USADA to determine if a TUE is required.
There are certain instances in an athlete’s career when a TUE cannot be obtained before the use of a prohibited substance or method. TUEs can be issued to athletes retroactively. To learn more about retroactive TUEs, visit https://www.usada.org/athletes/testing/tue/.
Testing Information
Testing is an important part of any effective anti-doping program and is the area that most often comes to mind when thinking about anti-doping. From test planning and collection of a urine or blood sample, through the results managements process, USADA provides a thorough program, with policies and procedures in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code, the WADA International Standards, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Anti-Doping Rules, and the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing.
You can find more information about the testing process at USADA.org/testing.
Results Management
USADA is responsible for the results management and adjudication process for athletes in U.S. Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, and Parapan American Sport, providing important independence and removing any potential conflicts of interest from the USOPC and sport national governing bodies. USADA communicates with athletes regarding test results and manages any potential anti-doping rule violations. The results management process is designed to protect the rights of clean athletes, preserve the integrity of competition, and hold accountable those athletes looking to cheat through the use of dangerous, performance-enhancing drugs, while ensuring only those athletes who have committed anti-doping rule violations (ADRV) face sanctions. USADA works to achieve a transparent and fair results management and adjudication process in accordance with the established rules, including Congressional Statutes, such as the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, the World Anti-Doping Code, and the USOPC National Anti-Doping Policy which are agreed upon by the USOPC Athletes’ Advisory Council.
Additional information about the results management process can be found at www.USADA.org/testing/results/.
Coach’s Advantage
Coaches are some of the most influential people in athletes’ lives and are in a unique position to help them make positive and healthy choices. Understanding the role they play in keeping sport clean, as well as their responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code, is vital for both them and the athletes they support.
Find out more at http://www.usada.org/resources/coach/
HealthPro Advantage
Health professionals, who care for athletes, are a vital component in the bigger picture of preserving the integrity of competition and the core principles of true sport. Athletes and support personnel depend on health professionals to help guide them in making good decisions. Understanding anti-doping rules is essential to ensuring success in program compliance and clean competition.
For more information on the free Stanford course, visit: http://www.usada.org/resources/healthpro/
Athlete Retirement and Returning to Sport from Retirement
When athletes are ready for retirement, there are steps that must be taken to make it official and to remove themselves from the testing pool. They must promptly inform USADA, their National Governing Body (NGB), and their International Federation (IF) in writing via mail or email that they are retiring. They should also check with their IF to determine if there are additional steps they need to follow.
Until an athlete has finalized all of the necessary retirement steps, they are still subject to the requirements of an athlete in the USADA testing pool.
To learn more, visit: https://www.usada.org/athletes/retire/
TrueSport
TrueSport is a community- based movement powered by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that champions the positive values and life lessons learned through sport. Our powerful library of value and skill-based lessons, coaching education modules, and onsite engagement programs helps equip young people with the resources to build life skills and core value for life-long success on and off the field of play. Working alongside experts in a wide range of fields. TrueSport provides evidence-informed content and engaging programs that are reflective of the Olympic spirit and elevate the athlete voice. Join the movement truesport.org.
Having a fair and effective anti-doping program is vital to ensure that the rights of clean athletes and the integrity of competition are upheld. USA Water Polo is opposed to the practice of doping in sport and fully supports and complies with the policies, protocols, and rules set forth by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) as the independent, non-profit anti-doping organization in the U.S. Guided by their mission to preserve the integrity of competition, inspire true sport, and protect the rights of U.S. athletes, USADA is charged with implementing a comprehensive anti-doping program for all Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, and Para Pan American sport National Governing Bodies, their athletes, and events. USADA's scope of responsibility includes:
- Education for athlete and athlete support personnel
- Drug reference resources
- In-competition and out-of competition testing
- Results management processes
Anti-doping Obligations
It is the duty of individual members of USA Water Polo to comply with all anti-doping rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), FINA, the USOPC including the USOPC National Anti-Doping Policy, and of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), including the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing (USADA Protocol) and all other policies and rules adopted by WADA, FINA, the USOPC and USADA. Athlete members agree to submit to drug testing by FINA and/or USADA or their designees at any time and understand that the use of methods or substances prohibited by the applicable anti-doping rules make them subject to penalties including, but not limited to, disqualification and suspension. If it is determined that an individual member may have committed a doping violation, the member agrees to submit to the results management authority and processes of USADA, including arbitration under the USADA Protocol, or to the results management authority of FINA, if applicable or referred by USADA.
USADA is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), which is a framework of anti-doping policies, rules, and regulations within sport. The Code, along with the supporting International Standards, is maintained by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to ensure global harmonization of anti-doping rules.
USADA's website www.usada.org provides many resources to help athletes, athlete support personnel, and medical professionals understand the anti-doping process and the role they play in helping to protect clean sport.
The links below are shortcuts to frequently asked about topics.
The Prohibited List
The Prohibited List contains all the substances and methods prohibited in sport. The List is evaluated, updated, and published every year by WADA. See the full list at www.USADA.org/substances/prohibited-list/
 |
Global Drug Reference Online (Global DRO)
If an athlete needs to take a medication, Global DRO is an easy to use online and mobile enabled resource to search the prohibited status of specific medications based on the current WADA Prohibited List. www.globaldro.org/ |
Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs)
If an athlete has a legitimate medical need to use a substance or method that is prohibited, the athlete can apply for a TUE, and where appropriate, be provided an exemption to use that method or substance under medical guidance. More information on when and how to apply for a TUE is provided at www.USADA.org/substances/tue/
Testing Information
You can find information from USADA about the testing process, including information about urine and blood collection at www.USADA.org/testing/
Whereabouts Requirements
Some U.S. athletes may be selected by USADA or the (INSERT SPORT INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION NAME HERE) to be included in a Registered Testing Pool (RTP), which requires the athlete to provide Whereabouts information, (dates, times, locations, etc.) in order to be located for out-of-competition testing. If an athlete is selected to be included in the RTP, they will be notified by the appropriate organization. More information about the Whereabouts process for USADA can be found at www.USADA.org/testing/whereabouts/
Retirement and Returning from Retirement
When an athlete chooses to retire from sport, or plans to return from competition after previously retiring, there are important steps that must be taken to avoid any potential rule violations. Detailed information about those steps can be found at www.USADA.org/athletes/retire/
Results Management
USADA is responsible for the results management and adjudication process for athletes in U.S. Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Sport, providing important independence and removing any potential conflicts of interest from the USOPC and sport national governing bodies. Additional information about the results management process can be found at www.USADA.org/testing/results/
Supplement Information
No organization can guarantee the safety, efficacy or non-prohibited status of a dietary supplement. Due to the current regulatory framework, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not evaluate dietary supplement products prior to them being brought to the market. As such, it is very important that athletes and athlete support personnel are aware of the risks associated with taking dietary supplements. USADA has created www.Supplement411.org as an online resource to help athletes and athlete support personnel, realize the concerns surrounding the use of dietary supplements, recognize risk when it is seen, and reduce the risk of testing positive or experiencing health problems if an athlete chooses to use supplements.
In addition, Supplement 411 also provides a list of dietary supplement products that are considered to present a high risk to athletes and consumers.
|
Coach Resources
Coaches are some of the most influential people in athlete's lives, and are in a unique position to help them make positive and healthy choices. Understanding the role they play in keeping sport clean, as well as their responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code, is vital for both them and the athletes they support. Find out more at http://www.usada.org/resources/coach/ |
Health Professional Resources
Health professionals, who care for athletes, are a vital component in the bigger picture of preserving the integrity of competition and the core principles of true sport. Athletes and support personnel depend on health professionals to help guide them in making good decisions. Understanding anti-doping rules is essential to ensuring success in program compliance and clean competition. www.usada.org/resources/healthpro/ |
Investigations and the Play Clean Tip Center
In addition to testing, the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) emphasizes the importance of using investigative efforts to both detect and deter the use of performance-enhancing drugs and methods in sport. It is important to know that athletes are not the only people who may commit anti-doping rule violations. In accordance with the Code, coaches, trainers, doctors and other athlete support personnel may also be held accountable for their actions, should they choose to violate anti-doping rules.
If at any time, a person suspects that their sport is being compromised by performance-enhancing drugs or methods, they can anonymously provide that information to the USADA Play Clean Tip Center at www.USADA.org/athletes/playclean/
|
Athlete Express
USADA's Athlete Express is available to help with immediate assistance for any questions or concerns. Athlete Express provides support over the phone and via email regarding whereabouts, testing, Therapeutic Use Exemptions, prohibited substances, educational resources, and more. |
TrueSport
TrueSport is a movement powered by USADA that seeks to ensure a positive youth sport experience. Through certified TrueSport coaches, TrueSport parents and TrueSport Ambassadors, this movement strives to impart the important life lessons learned through participation in sport, including a focus on:
- Clean Competition
- Sportsmanship
- Peak Performance
