Creating a Safer Sport Environment with Ethics and Respect Training

This is the final blog of a 3-part series providing tools and resources to strengthen safety and ethical values in sport by introducing the Responsible Coaching Movement. If this is your first visit to this blog series, considering taking a few minutes to read the other two posts on Background Screening and the importance of the Rule of Two. 

The Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM) is coordinated by the Coaching Association of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. Sport stakeholder consultations identified a number of sector shortcomings that contributed to instances of unethical behaviour in sport, which led to the creation of the RCM. The RCM focuses on three key areas to support the positive development of safe sport:

• Rule of Two;
• Background Screening; and
• Ethics and Respect Training.

Ethics and Respect training is a critical component of the RCM, supporting the development of a healthy and safe sport environment, both on and off the field of play. Education helps a coach develop a proper skill set to deliver age-appropriate training to athletes in a positive environment.  It also promotes good conduct and behaviour, and helps a coach understand what it means to act ethically.

There are a number of excellent training options, including National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) workshops, which prepare coaches to effectively handle situations that arise from ethical dilemmas or even legal challenges that concern individuals, teams, and their sports organizations. Here are a few recommendations to share with your staff, coaches, and volunteers:

Safe Sport Training

Safe, inclusive sport environments help make sport rewarding and enriching for all. The Coaching Association of Canada’s new Safe Sport Training provides decision-makers, coaches, athletes, integrated support team personnel, volunteers and other sport community stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to create those environments by recognizing, addressing and preventing maltreatment in sport.

NCCP Make Ethical Decisions

NCCP Make Ethical Decisions (MED) training is a 4-hour workshop that provides coaches with a six-step decision making framework to help them identify and work through the legal, ethical, and moral implications of difficult situations that present themselves in the world of team and individual sport. Please click here for more information about Make Ethical Decisions.

NCCP Empower+

NCCP Empower+ is a 4-hour intense and thought provoking workshop that teaches coaches how to enhance the well-being of athletes in their care and to be a positive role model in sport. Please click here for more information about Empower+.

Commit to Kids for Coaches

Commit to Kids for Coaches is an online training program offered by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, which explores the boundaries, grooming process, sexual misconduct, and reporting of misconduct. Please click here for more information about Commit to Kids for Coaches. Cost is $12.

Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders

Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders educates youth leaders, coaches, officials, and participants (14-years and up) to recognize, understand and respond to issues of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination (BAHD). Please click here for more information about Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders. Contact Respect Group directly for costs.

Respect in Sport for Parents

One of the most common reasons coaches, managers, officials and athletes of all ages cite for leaving sport is unacceptable parent behaviour. The Respect in Sport Parent Program helps define a standard of behaviour for all parents to create a more rewarding, safe and respectful environment for everyone involved. Please click here for more information about Respect in Sport for Parents. Contact Respect Group directly for costs.

Respect in the Workplace

Ethics and respect training isn’t only important for coaches. The Respect in the Workplace Program provides the knowledge and skills to prevent bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination within sport organizations. Please click here for more information about Respect in the Workplace. Contact Respect Group directly for costs.

Other Recommended Responsible Coaching Resources

For more information on the Responsible Coaching Movement, or to learn more about the different resources available (for organizations, coaches, and parents) to adhere to ethical coaching practices, please visit www.coach.ca/ResponsibleCoaching.

Discover which organizations have pledged their commitment to the Responsible Coaching Movement by CLICKING HERE. Ready to take the pledge? Commit to the Responsible Coaching Movement HERE!

For more information, or to suggest additional training opportunities not listed here, please email RCM@coach.ca.