Safe Play
USTA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Safe Play
Championing a Safer Future in Tennis
The USTA’s Safe Play program promotes a safe, respectful, inclusive, positive, and secure environment where tennis players of all ages thrive. It focuses on building a culture of safety and accountability for all players, coaches, and volunteers who play the sport.
Building a Safer Future
The USTA’s Safe Play program promotes a safe, respectful, inclusive, positive, and secure environment where tennis players of all ages thrive. It focuses on building a culture of safety and accountability for all players, coaches, and volunteers who play the sport.
Our Commitment
Aligned with U.S. Center for SafeSport guidelines, Safe Play promotes a culture of safety across all USTA programs. By combining in-depth education, background checks, and clear, enforceable policies, we set a high standard for athlete safety. In partnership with the U.S. Center for SafeSport and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, we continuously refine safety resources and policies.
Safe Play empowers the entire tennis community to identify, prevent, and report misconduct, helping ensure a safer, brighter future for our sport.
What Is USTA Safe Play?
Safe Play is USTA’s comprehensive athlete safeguarding program, dedicated to fostering a positive, secure environment for everyone involved in tennis. With a focus on education, policies, and procedures, it works proactively to prevent misconduct such as abuse, harassment, and bullying.
The USTA’s Safe Play™ program promotes a safe, respectful, positive, and inclusive environment in tennis by focusing on:
> Child Protection & Athlete Safety – Preventing abuse, misconduct, bullying, harassment, and potential harm in tennis programs.
> Education & Awareness – Providing training on recognizing and responding to misconduct.
> Accountability – Requiring background checks and adherence to USTA’s Safe Play policies for coaches, officials, and volunteers.
> Inclusive Participation – Encouraging a welcoming environment for players of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities.
We’re implementing a comprehensive athlete safety program that includes:
– Education: Free courses for parents, adult players, and coaches.
– Screening: Free criminal background checks on coaches and providers.
– Reporting Tools: Clear channels to report suspicious activity.
– Policies: Enforced guidelines for appropriate conduct in tennis
– Protects athletes, especially youth, from potential harm.
– Builds trust with families and facilities.
– Enhances the reputation and integrity of tennis as a sport.
– Contributes to player retention and growth of the sport.
– Aligns with industry-leading standards for youth sports safety.
Play Your Part
Together, everyone makes tennis safe. Learn more about your role in making the community safer by exploring the toggles below!
> PROTECT YOUR CHILD AND SERVE UP SAFETY
Ensure your child’s tennis experience is both fun and secure. The USTA’s Safe PlayTM program promotes an environment where young athletes flourish. Together, we can serve up a safer, more supportive tennis experience for our young athletes.
> VERIFY
Confirm your child’s coach is Safe Play™ Approved to ensure they’re committed to a safe playing environment.
> LEARN
Ace your child’s safety by taking the FREE 30-minute course from the U.S. Center for SafeSport. This course offers essential and invaluable knowledge and practical safety strategies to help you protect your child both on and off the court.
In just half an hour, you’ll learn how to spot signs of misconduct and abuse, along with proven strategies to keep your child safe throughout their tennis journey. Designed specifically for parents of young athletes, this course empowers you to recognize, respond to, and prevent abuse—ensuring a secure and supportive experience for your child at every level of play.
> ELEVATE YOUR GAME
As an adult tennis player, you play a vital role in fostering a safe and positive environment for all.
Complete the FREE 30-minute course from the U.S. Center for SafeSport to help create a safe and positive environment for all. This course covers key athlete safety concepts—cultural, technical, and legal—through real-world examples that are directly relevant to adult athletes.
Equip yourself with the knowledge to foster a safer, more supportive atmosphere both on and off the court.
> GET APPROVED
Demonstrate your commitment to player safety and well-being by getting Safe Play approved.
Achieving Safe Play approval not only enhances your credentials but also helps attract more clients. It shows your dedication to fostering a positive, nurturing environment for all players, while reinforcing your promise to prioritize safety in every lesson, match, and practice.
> SAFEGUARD YOUR COURTS
Urge your coaches, providers, and staff to get Safe Play approved.
This commitment reflects our dedication to providing a secure environment for players of all ages. This will help build trust with current and future players, and align with industry-leading standards.
> GET EDUCATED
Volunteers provide invaluable support, spirit, and leadership. But however infrequent or informal their engagement, they have critical positions to play to support and reinforce athlete safety.
Complete the FREE 15-minute SafeSport training.
SafeSport Courses for All
Let’s create a safe and respectful sporting environment together. Explore the toggles below to find SafeSport courses!
This course educates young athletes ages 5–12 about the difference between discipline and abuse and encourages them to reach out to a trusted adult when something is not right. It also stresses the importance of being a good teammate, positive sportsmanship, and having a healthy sport environment focused on fun and safety.
This course focuses on consent and respectful behavior, supporting friends who have experienced abuse or misconduct, and resources for reporting.
Athletes with disabilities are two to four times more likely to experience abuse and misconduct than athletes without disabilities. Anyone who interacts with athletes needs to understand safe and empowering ways to work with athletes with disabilities and support inclusive adaptive sport settings.
Advocate for a Safe Tennis Community
Here are some key ways you can help promote a safer tennis community. By taking action, you can contribute to a more inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for all players!
– Promote at the place of play or at tennis retail.
– Recommend Safe Play Approval for coach certification or renewals.
– Highlight a Safe Play approved coach ambassador/influencer that can encourage program participation.
– Offer incentives to reward coaches for participation.
– Promote online and via social media with messaging and creative recommendations from USTA.
– Incorporate language into coach or staff contracts.
– Staff education/onboarding.
