Canada Soccer Safe Sport Roster

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.