At its May 4th, 2019 Annual Meeting of the Members, provincial and territorial member associations endorsed the Canada Soccer Safe Sport Roster as a progressive package of initiatives to create safe, fun and welcoming experiences for all participants.
These new initiatives follow the development in 2017 of a Whistleblower hotline, a detailed Code of Conduct and Ethics and the Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code. The Safe Sport Roster includes:
- 1. Minimum coaching certification requirements:
- ALL coaches must complete the appropriate training workshop for the age and stage of their athletes.
- ALL coaches must complete two courses offered through the Coaching Association of Canada’s National Coaching Certification Program:
- “Make Ethical Decisions” to further safeguard athletes by ensuring that coaches are fully equipped to handle ethical situations with knowledge and confidence.
- “Making Head Way” gives coaches a greater understanding of how to prevent head injuries along with the knowledge and skills to manage them properly.
- Respect in Sport online training which educates coaches to recognize, understand and respond to issues of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination.
- Adopting the requirements of the Responsible Coaching Movement:
- The “Rule of 2” which requires that all one-on-one interactions between a coach and an athlete take place within earshot and in view of another trusted adult, except for medical emergencies.
- Background screening, which can include criminal record checks, interviews, job postings and reference checks.
- Ethics Training, which includes the “Respect in Sport” and “Make Ethical Decisions” courses mentioned above.
- 2. Club Licensing Program:
- Launched in July 2018 and developed in consultation with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, the program has established standards to ensure a quality experience for every athlete who registers with Canada Soccer.
- Two of the fundamental principles that underpin the program are devoted to safe sport:
- Physical, mental and emotional safety
- Accessible, inclusive, and welcome environments
- Amongst the many tools and resources offered to licensed clubs is a comprehensive Guide to Safety.
- 3. National Soccer Registry:
- To track coach certifications, licences and any disciplinary sanctions
- 4. Concussion Protocols:
- Canada Soccer has implemented the gold standard of concussion protocols to prevent head injuries and, when they do occur, to manage them effectively.
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