Even the harshest critics of the United States Bowling Congress will have to applaud USBC's latest move with its coaching certification process.
Starting this fall, anyone seeking coaching certification through USBC will have to be approved through the "Registered Volunteer Program." Current coaches also will need to be approved through RVP as part of the continuing education process.
"The Registered Volunteer Program simply needs to be a part of the process to certify coaches," Neil Stremmel, USBC Managing Director, National Governing Body, said in this news release. "It will benefit coaches because parents and proprietors will know that USBC certified coaches have gone through the proper background screening. It adds integrity to our certification process, the game and our coaches."
The program "ensures the USBC is doing everything it can to protect youth bowlers," and "follows guidelines of the United States Olympic Committee and the USOC launched its SafeSport program earlier this year," according to the release.
"The USOC has encouraged all NGBs to have programs to ensure athletes have safe training environments," Stremmel said. "We have used RVP with youth volunteers for several years and it is important for us to add this component to all coaches."
Additional details are in the release.
And there also is a Frequently Asked Questions about coaching certification with answers here.
