May 12, 2026

Teams,

A quick update for everyone, we have been able to go through the last 2 years of coach certifications and have updated the list of coaches who have completed their required coach certification course and test. That list can be found at ASA Background Check and Certification Info. Coaches on that list are good to go for 2026 and just need to complete a background check for this year. Below are reminders about the process for background checks and coach certifcation along with helpful links and user codes.

As we have reminded you recently all of your coaches age 17 and older MUST complete the ASA Coaches' Certification Course jut once, it is good for your coaching career in ASA. And all coaches age 18 and older MUST complete a background check each year. This cost will be covered by the league. ALL coaches MUST complete a background check and provide the results to their team each season. Those results must be shared by the coaches with you, they are not automatically sent to ASA or your team. Please remember, it is your responsibility to have your coaches provide the results of their check to you before they start working with your athletes. Details on these programs can be found at ASA Background Check and Certification Info. Team coordinators,

Below is additional information from Leah Hinnefeld with Summer League Swimming regarding this process, please see below. If you have any questions about this, please see her contact info below. She will be happy to help with any questions. From Leah:

Happy 2026 Summer League Season~

REMEMBER COACH CERTIFICATIONS ARE NOW GOOD FOR 3 SEASONS! If you are a coach and have taken the course in 2024 or 2025 you do NOT need to take the course or exam in 2026.

IF YOU ARE A NEW COACH FOR 2026, you must take and pass the coach certification course.

All coaches 18 and older must still take the background check. All adults having direct, regular contact with the swimmers must take the background check.

Below are some very important links for Team Reps, Coaches, and anyone interested in having insurance protection, or needing a background check.

Please visit the Summer League Swimming FAQ page to find answer your questions about the timeframe and process. In a nutshell, all background checks and coach certification courses must be complete by May 31st. If we do not have a current background check (for all coaches age 18 and older and any adult having regular contact with a child), that person will NOT be allowed to be at practices or meets until the process is complete.

https://www.summerleagueswimming.com/faqs/

Below are PDFs with screen shots of the registration process. The process is a little different if you are registering for a background check, coach course, or the bundle.

1.NEW COACHES 18 and over will be registering for the BUNDLE (coach certification course+background check), using the link below:

https://www.summerleagueswimming.com/product/coach-course-and-background-check/

Please ask your coaches to use the Coupon Code “coachbundle2026” so they are not charged for either. Please do not share this code with anyone but your coaches. This code is not for volunteers, team reps, or parents.

If anyone else wants to purchase the course and background, please complete the form and you will be directed to the payment page.

Step by step screen shots showing the process can be found here:

https://www.summerleagueswimming.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bundle-Flow-Chart-.pdf

1.NEW COACHES 17 and older are required to complete and pass the coach certification course but not the background check. Please have them use the coupon code “coachcourse2026” at the link below:

https://www.summerleagueswimming.com/product/sls-coach-certification-course/

Step by step screen shots showing the process can be found here

https://www.summerleagueswimming.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Coach-Course-Flow-Chart.pdf

1.RETURNING COACHES 18 and anyone else 18+ (team rep, volunteers, etc) who has regular, direct contact with a swimmer must take a background check When in out, Background Check it out! An added benefit of getting a background check is you will be included on the Summer League Swimming Safer Summer Program. The program includes liability protection at practices and at meets.

The link to register for and complete a background check is here:

https://www.summerleagueswimming.com/background-check/

COACHES ONLY please use coupon code: “coachbackground2026”

ALL ADULTS THAT ARE NOT COACHES MUST PAY FOR THEIR OWN BACKGROUND CHECK.

Step by step screen shots showing the process can be found here:

https://www.summerleagueswimming.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Background-Check-Flow-Chart-.pdf

1.The COACH COURSE is available for anyone in your organization to purchase. Team Reps and parents are encouraged to take the course to learn how the coaches are being trained to communicate with the swimmers. I bet everyone will learn something!

To register for the coach certification course and receive access to the additional courses, use the link below:

https://www.summerleagueswimming.com/product/sls-coach-certification-course/

Step by step screen shots showing the process can be found here

https://www.summerleagueswimming.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Coach-Course-Flow-Chart.pdf

Thanks and good luck this summer,

Leah Hinnefeld

Director of Education & Business Development

Summer League Swimming

[email protected]

Thank you again,

Franke Marsden

Atlanta Swim Association

[email protected]

404-664-3975