Education & TrainingFor sport organizations across Canada, using credible safe sport education and training tools is critical. SIRC’s collection is a go-to page for educating coaches and all sport participants. |
 |
Every single one of us is responsible for safe sport. Be it the athlete, the coach, the guide, the administrator, the volunteer, even the spectators in the crowds. We all need to be watching out for everyone.
Debra Gassewitz – President & Chief Executive Officer, SIRC
“Collectively, we can create a better safe sport environment by coming together, taking the training and committing to our individual responsibility.”
Lorraine Lafrenière – Chief Executive Officer, Coaching Association of Canada
Training Tools
Safe Sport training is available for participants and organizations at all levels of sport in Canada:
Safe Sport Training Module
Developed by the Coaching Association of Canada, this Safe Sport Training Module gives you the knowledge and skillset to create a safe and inclusive sport environment, and helps you recognize and prevent maltreatment in sport.
Respect in Sport
Respect in Sport Inc. offers two primary training programs for Safe Sport:
Sport Activity Leader/Coach Program: This program educates leaders, officials, coaches, or participants in sport on matters of bullying, abuse, harassment, discrimination, and more | Check out the Training Program
Parent Program: 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 will help define a standard of behaviour for all parents and create a more rewarding, safe and respectful environment for everyone involved. Parents want to do a great job supporting their kids. Respect in Sport provides parents with the tools to create and maintain Safe Sport environments. | Check out the Training Program
Case Studies
Many organizations in the sport and physical activity sector are setting an example for effective safe sport implementation. Discover some examples of some of the most advanced safe sport programs in Canada:
National Sport Organization Best Practices
- Gymnastics Canada: In efforts to be among the Safe Sport and inclusion leaders, Gymnastics Canada has developed an extensive framework that guides the formulation, interpretation, and application of its Safe Sport practices. At its core, Gymnastic Canada’s approach prioritizes current – and past – individuals’ well-being above all | Learn more
- Swimming Canada: Swimming Canada recognizes that the responsibility of protecting the wellbeing of athletes – particularly, children – falls on each and every individual involved in the swimming community. Subsequently, the organization has built a strong framework to carry out its mission | Learn more
- Tennis Canada: Tennis Canada has worked diligently to present contemporary and comprehensive policies aimed at educating, training, and managing allegations of abuse; while taking into account the unique challenges modern day athletes face | Learn more
- Canada Soccer: To supplement their existing Code of Conduct and Ethics, Canada Soccer has constructed a Whistleblower Policy covering the areas of conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, bullying and other violations. The purpose of this document is to encourage officials, athletes, coaches, and any members of the organization to speak out regarding maltreatment and abuse, and report any suspected action that violates the code of ethics in a safe and anonymous manner | Learn more
- Softball Canada: Going beyond its existing framework, Softball Canada has developed a new updated Safe Sport Policy Suite, containing 12 different policies related to maltreatment and abuse | Learn more
Best Practices in Provinces and Territories
- Swim Alberta: In the Spring of 2018, Swim Alberta adopted an “Open and Observable” policy for all its programs; ensuring that everyone working with an athlete is always in an open space that is observable for others | Check out the hub
- Athletics Ontario: To foster and maintain a Safe Sport environment, Athletics Ontario has developed its own extensive Safe Sport Policy Manual. This manual is intended to guide the prevention of inappropriate behavior, and to provide meaningful action should any issues arise | Check out the manual
- Ontario Soccer: Ontario Soccer is paving the way for a cultural change in treatment of Match Officials through the No Ref, No Game program. Learn more about the program.
- Sport Manitoba: To bring attention to the declining participation of sport officials due to increasing incidents of maltreatment, Sport Manitoba launched #NoRefNoGame as a reminder that without referees, officials, and umpires, there would be no games.
- Canada Basketball: In 2022, Canada Basketball built a Safe Sport framework of 3 pillars – education, prevention and response – guided by Canada Basketball Policy and Procedures. The 3 pillars work collectively to prioritize the welfare, safety, and rights of every participant at all times. Learn more.
- More to come soon: Feel free to contact us with information pertaining to your province/territory’s safe sport approach to be featured on this site.
Athlete 365 – Safe Sport Resources
Safe Sport is an environment where athletes can train and compete in healthy and supportive surroundings; an environment which is respectful, equitable, and free from all forms of harassment and abuse.