The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and USA Swimming today announced a revolutionary partnership designed to inspire young swimmers, their parents and coaches to foster health, character and integrity, in a fun and engaging way, through a collaboration between the TrueSport and Deck Pass programs.
Together, USADA and USA Swimming seek to influence and encourage TrueSport behavior — including clean competition, sportsmanship, teamwork and respect — to thousands of young participants at youth sporting events nationwide to motivate and incentivize kids to not only learn beneficial lessons in a fun environment, but to apply and practice those lessons in real-time.
Deck Pass is the official mobile app of USA Swimming that tracks swimmers’ performances, practices and accomplishments, and rewards them with digital patches and incentives they can share with their coaches, families and friends. The TrueSport and Deck Pass partnership creates an exciting opportunity for more than 200,000 Deck Pass users to earn new patches based on completing more than 30 TrueSport activities in areas like leadership, goal-setting and decision making.
Both USADA and USA Swimming envision a future for sport that values both winning and the life-long benefits that come with participating in sport with integrity.
“We know that there is a serious problem in sports today where the win-at-all costs attitude has infiltrated all levels of competition,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “We are excited to partner with USA Swimming and the Deck Pass program in our shared commitment to education and our joint desire to support young swimmers, their parents and coaches in competing in a positive and healthy way and preserving the values and life lessons young athletes learn through participation in sport.”
“The Deck Pass program has been one of USA Swimming’s most successful programs in engaging with our membership and the TrueSport partnership will provide a fun way for users to learn more about TrueSport values through interactive games and activities,” said Chuck Wielgus, USA Swimming Executive Director. “We are thrilled to be a part of this groundbreaking partnership with USADA’s TrueSport program, and we’re confident that Deck Pass will be a great platform to get the word out to our members.”
Some swimmers who complete the TrueSport Deck Pass program will include the opportunity to interact with TrueSport Ambassadors like four-time Olympic medalists Peter Vanderkaay (two gold, two bronze).
“I am proud to be a TrueSport Ambassador, and I support the partnership with Deck Pass because I believe all young athletes benefit in both sport and in life when they learn about the importance of competing clean, being a person of integrity and the value of good sportsmanship.”
TrueSport will be attending youth swimming events around the country in June, July and August, and will attend the AT&T Winter Nationals and Speedo Winter Junior Nationals in December. At these select meets TrueSport will host special interactive activities with fun prizes for Deck Pass members.
Courtesy of USA Swimming.