Water Polo Canada – Ottawa, ON, April 23, 2019 – Following the Water Polo Canada Code of Conduct Disciplinary Procedure, an independent hearing panel determined that Justin Mitchell shall not be permitted to join Water Polo Canada and shall not be permitted to be a member of or a coach at any Water Polo Canada sanctioned event or club. Mr. Mitchell has been permanently banned and prohibited from any future application or attempt to gain reinstatement, membership, registrant or any other status with Water Polo Canada. The hearing panel found that Mr. Mitchell violated Water Polo Canada’s Code of Conduct Disciplinary Procedure through comments and conduct that amounted to major infractions under the Code.  

Water Polo Canada believes that ethical conduct and participant safety is the foundation of any sport. All participants in water polo, whether they are athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, staff or volunteers have the right to participate in a respectful and safe environment. Water Polo Canada encourages the members of the community to be part of the conversation, report any bullying, harassment, sexual harassment or otherwise inappropriate conduct, and act as positive drivers of change.

“It is our responsibility as a sport organization to ensure a safe environment free from any form of harassment, discrimination, abuse or bullying. We intend to go even further in our education efforts to offer our participants a safe space in water polo by working closely with our Provincial Sport Organizations and Clubs as well as Multi-Sport organizations across the country. We have zero tolerance for anybody who doesn’t follow our code of conduct as we continue to promote respect at all levels in our sport,” commented Water Polo Canada’s Executive Director, Martin Goulet.

You can click here to read the complete decision of the hearing panel regarding the complaints against Mr. Justin Mitchell.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Martin Goulet

Executive Director

613-748-5682 x 322

mgoulet@waterpolo.ca