Athlete safety shapes how CrewLAB is built rather than sitting on top of it. Three things follow from that:
No private spaces. Every conversation happens in a structured channel that staff can review.
Minors are never in unmonitored one-to-one contact with an adult. The messaging rules enforce this rather than relying on people to remember.
Everything is auditable. Programs can review team interactions at any time.
What MAAPP requires
The Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy, from the U.S. Center for SafeSport, requires that one-on-one electronic communication between adults and minor athletes is open and transparent. A parent, guardian, or second adult has to be included.
How CrewLAB enforces it
CrewLAB's direct messaging was developed in partnership with USA Swimming to apply this by default. Any direct message involving a minor athlete either:
Automatically includes a parent as a view-only participant, or
Requires a second coach in the conversation
If neither condition is met, the message is blocked. A coach can't message a minor athlete privately.
The rule in full
Who | Direct messaging a coach |
Athlete aged 18 or over | Allowed one-to-one |
Athlete under 18, parent linked | Allowed, parent added automatically as view-only |
Athlete under 18, no parent linked | Needs a second adult in the conversation |
Athlete under 18, neither | Blocked |
There are no private channels
CrewLAB has no unmonitored spaces. Conversations sit in structured channels that coaching staff can access.
Athletes can't message each other unsupervised
Athlete-to-athlete direct messaging isn't available without a coach present.
Deleted messages are retained
A user can delete a message from view, but CrewLAB keeps it for auditing. Programs keep a complete audit trail, which is a difference from SMS or consumer apps where history can be lost or put beyond staff reach.
Who can review communication
All communication is accessible to coaches and administrators and can be reviewed at any time.
Our safety partners
USA Swimming
CrewLAB is a USA Swimming partner. MAAPP-compliant direct messaging was developed with the USA Swimming SafeSport department, and CrewLAB is listed as a recommended tool for USA Swimming member clubs. CrewLAB’s direct messaging was developed in partnership with USA Swimming.
USRowing
USRowing endorses CrewLAB as a SafeSport-aligned electronic communication tool. Tom Rooks, Director of Sport Safety and Operations at USRowing, recommends that coaches and athletes use CrewLAB to support SafeSport compliance requirements.
#WeRideTogether
#WeRideTogether is an organisation working to eliminate sexual abuse in sport through safeguarding education, abuse prevention and survivor support. They curate the in-app safety resources and help CrewLAB keep current with athlete protection practice across endurance sports.