New Hampshire coach Matthew Forrest has been added to USA Swimming’s list of Individuals Permanently Suspended or Ineligible, banning him for life from membership in the organization.
Forrest had been the head coach and owner of Solo Aquatics in Haverhill, Massachussetts, which sources tell us he has since sold, as a ban from USA Swimming does not allow him to own a club either.
Forrest founded the club in the summer of 2006.
His ban was the result of two cited violations of the USA Swimming Code of Conduct that are effectively different versions of the same rule. What’s interesting is that the rules violated are both from versions of the Code of Conduct that are at least 7 years old.
Forrest was found by USA Swimming to have violated this section of the 2002-2008 rule book:
304.3.5 Any sexual contact or advance or other inappropriate sexually oriented behavior or action directed towards an athlete by a coach, official, trainer, or other person who, in the context of swimming, is in a position of authority over that athlete.
as well as this section from the 1991-2001 rule book:
304.3.5 Any sexual contact or advance directed towards an athlete by a coach, official, trainer, or other person who, in the context of swimming, is in a position of authority over that athlete.
No police report was ever filed against Forrest, which is not a requirement to be banned under USA Swimming’s Code of Conduct. Prior to Solo Aquatics, he was the senior coach of the New England Barracudas from 2002-2006; and before that, he was a coach for the Westbrook Seals, where he served on the Board of Directors of Maine Swimming.
The New England Barracudas no longer exist.
