Safeguarding
Safeguarding refers to efforts to create a sport environment that is safe and inclusive which protects participants from maltreatment as well as threats to sport integrity. Our resources are curated to support safe sport environments, where everyone has a role to play.
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Top 10 resources
- Safe Sport and Safeguarding in Canada Literature Review
- Supporting Safe Environments for Youth in Sports Research Summary
- SCRI Panel: Panel: The future of safe sport
- An Introduction to the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport
- Abuse Free Sport Helpline
- SIRC Article: Match Manipulation and Gambling in Sport
- Overview of Competition Manipulation
- Overview of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program
- NCCP Creating a Positive Sport Environment Training Module
- NCCP Safe Sport Training Module
Featured resource
Tennis Canada
Featured resource
Gretchen Kerr, University of Toronto
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Gymnastics Canada
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Natalie Durand-Bush and Krista Van Slingerland
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Coaching Association of Canada
Quick Facts
What are they key terms related to maltreatment in sport?
- Safe sport: Efforts to create a sport environment that is free from maltreatment, and optimizes sport experiences through promoting holistic development, respect, human rights (for example: safety, inclusion), and fun. Learn more.
- Maltreatment: A volitional act or omission that results in harm or has the potential for physical or psychological harm, which includes acts such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse, neglect, harassment, discrimination, and bullying. Learn more.
- Prohibited behaviour: Conduct described in the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS), including but not limited to maltreatment.
- Disclosure: “The sharing of information by a person regarding an incident or a pattern of Maltreatment experienced by that person, including a breach of reasonable boundaries. Disclosure does not constitute a formal Report.” From the UCCMS.
- Reporting: “The provision of information by a Participant or by any person to an independent authority regarding Prohibited Behaviour. Reporting may occur through either: (i) the person who experienced the Prohibited Behaviour, or (ii) someone who witnessed the Prohibited Behaviour or otherwise knows or reasonably believes that Prohibited Behaviour or a risk of Prohibited Behaviour exists.” From the UCCMS.
What are the key terms related to sport integrity?
- Competition manipulation: “is a deliberate effort to influence elements of a sporting contest or its outcome, usually for financial gain.” From the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.
- Canadian Anti-Doping Program: is the Canadian program, administered by Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport “designed to prevent, deter and detect doping and serves to protect the integrity of sport and the rights of clean athletes.” From the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.
What are they key terms related to mental health?
- Mental Health: “A state of psychological, emotional, and social well-being in which individuals are capable to feel, think, and act in ways that allow them to enjoy life, realize their potential, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their community” (WHO, 2022).
- Mental Illness: “A health condition characterized by alterations in individuals’ feeling, thinking, and behaving, leading to significant distress and impaired functioning in their personal and professional activities. It pertains to all diagnosable mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and substance use disorders.” Learn more.
What is the UCCMS & Abuse-Free Sport?
- The Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) is a policy which was created to support the creation of quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming and safe sport experiences, and propel the work towards creating sport environments that are free from maltreatment and ensure all sport participants are treated with dignity and respect. The UCCMS outlines prohibited behaviours for those working in a sport environment in an effort to prevent maltreatment.
- Abuse-Free Sport is the program in Canada created to prevent maltreatment in sport through education, training, and research, as well as through investigations and sanctions. Abuse-Free sport also provides anonymous reporting as well as mental health and legal support for victims of maltreatment.
Why is the athlete voice a critical part of safe sport environments?
A critical component to safeguarding sport is ensuring the athlete voice is at the heart of decision-making. This can be done formally through athlete commissions and athletes as board directors, as well as through ensuring athletes have choice and autonomy in their training. Autonomy supportive coaching refers to “a style used by coaches to support their athletes’ freedom, encourage their independence, and involve them in decision-making.” Learn more.
The Association of Canada’s National Team athletes, AthletesCAN, is the collective voice of Canadian national team athletes. It ensures an athlete-centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture.
Where is maltreatment, doping violations, or competition manipulation reported?
Reporting maltreatment can be done through the Abuse-Free Sport Helpline. It is a free, anonymous, confidential and independent service in both official languages. Reports can be submitted by phone, text or email. Check the safe sport resources specific to the sport organization for details on Independent Third-Party reporting options.
Reporting doping violations or competition manipulation can be done by contacting the CCES Integrity Hotline.
How does safeguarding impact interactions with sport participants and the coach-athlete relationship?
In addition to technical and tactical expertise, it is a coach’s responsibility to create a sport environment that is high quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming, free from maltreatment and ensures all sport participants are treated with dignity and respect (UCCMS).
Optimal athletic performances (at all levels of sport) require athletes to move out of their comfort zones and sometimes this means the coach needs to encourage the athletes to do so. However, when challenging athletes, you must also support them (Fletcher & Sarkar 2016).
Safe Sport does not mean that coaches cannot encourage athletes to move outside of their comfort zones. What it does do is stimulate reflection on whether the coach takes control and ‘pushes’ the athlete, or leaves responsibility with the athlete by ‘encouraging’ the athlete and supporting them to make a decision (for example: autonomy supportive coaching). Learn more.
Safe Sport does notmean that coaches cannot develop a close, trusting relationship with their athletes. In fact, research on achieving optimal athletic performance cites the importance of having a close, trusting coach-athlete relationship (Jowett, 2017). From a Safe Sport perspective, such relationships can and should occur for wellbeing and optimal performance, but that relationship boundaries need to be maintained, and interactions, to the extent possible, should occur in open and observable spaces. Learn more about the Rule of Two from the Coaching Association of Canada.
What does it mean to create a safe sport environment?
A safe sport environment is one that is free from maltreatment, and optimizes sport experiences through promoting holistic development, respect, human rights (for example: safety, inclusion), and fun. There are several ways to create a safe environment, through coaching practices (see above), as well as education and awareness campaigns (for example: Tennis Canada Sport Safety Page).
It is also important to have strong policies and governance in place. For example, Volleyball Canada’s pan-Canadian Safe Sport policy has a strong policy alignment between the National and Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations, and the Canadian-Anti-Doping Program.
How does safeguarding intersect with equity and inclusion in sport?
A key component to safeguarding sport is ensuring the sport environment is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, as research has shown athletes from equity-denied groups experience an increased prevalence of maltreatment (Gurgis et al., 2022). Pay attention to specific circumstances and needs of Women, Racialized, Parasport, and LGBTQ athletes, and take efforts such as using inclusive language and using accessible venues; as well as having zero tolerance for all forms of harassment, discrimination, and bullying.
Resources to support creating a safe sport environment for equity-denied groups include:
How does safeguarding intersect with athlete mental health?
It is important to create an environment that prioritizes athlete mental health and well-being. This includes improving mental health literacy through education, ensuring sport participants have access to mental health resources, and creating a psychologically safe environment that allows participants to speak freely without fear of retribution. Learn more.
Video Resources
When is an athlete psychologically ready to return to sport following a concussion?
- Cantrain and SIRC
- 2023
Understanding body related self-conscious emotions in adolescent girls’ sport
- University of Toronto and SIRC
- 2014
Fact or myth – Mental Health
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute and SIRC
- 2023
The impact of mental health on concussion management
- York University and SIRC
- 2023
Concussion Reporting: The roles of coaches, players, and trainers
- Western University and SIRC
- 2024
CAPT: Innovative Concussion platform focusing on the “Circle of Care” for our athletes
- AgileIS and SIRC
- 2024
Knowledge Nuggets
knowledge nuggets
Sport for stress reduction
Sport isn’t just about competition, it’s also about having fun. For adolescents, engaging in physical activity can reduce the effects of stress, especially when they
Sport isn’t just about competition, it’s also about having fun. For adolescents, engaging in physical activity can reduce the effects of stress, especially when they genuinely enjoy what they’re doing. This highlights how motivation behind physical activity influences life satisfaction and reduces stress.
knowledge nuggets
Body dissatisfaction in gymnasts
In aesthetic sports, athletes often perceive pressure to be thin to maximise performance. A recent study of elite-level gymnasts in Sweden showed a relationship between
In aesthetic sports, athletes often perceive pressure to be thin to maximise performance. A recent study of elite-level gymnasts in Sweden showed a relationship between body dissatisfaction and symptoms of disordered eating over time, suggesting that monitoring of behaviours driven by body dissatisfaction, such as exercising for weight control, is important to identity athletes at risk of developing an eating disorder.
knowledge nuggets
Strength training for injury prevention
In soccer, preventing injuries is crucial for player performance and long-term health. Current evidence supports strength training, including methods like eccentric and flywheel training, to
In soccer, preventing injuries is crucial for player performance and long-term health. Current evidence supports strength training, including methods like eccentric and flywheel training, to reduce injury risks effectively.
knowledge nuggets
Addressing mental health in elite youth athletes
A recent review shows that research on elite youth athletes often focuses on disordered eating, anxiety and depression and that risk factors for mental health
A recent review shows that research on elite youth athletes often focuses on disordered eating, anxiety and depression and that risk factors for mental health issues include gender, athlete status, and social relationships with coaches, parents and guardians, and peers. These findings highlight the pressing need for effective prevention measures to safeguard the mental health of elite youth athletes.
knowledge nuggets
Injury in recreational athletes
Research on sports injuries often focuses on high performance athletes, potentially overlooking the risks for recreational players. This study on recreational tennis players found that
Research on sports injuries often focuses on high performance athletes, potentially overlooking the risks for recreational players. This study on recreational tennis players found that they experience different injury patterns, with most injuries being caused by falls and twists.
knowledge nuggets
Disordered eating in elite athletes
Athletes face a heightened susceptibility to disordered eating compared to non-athletes. Social and sport pressures influence disordered eating behaviours among elite athletes. Interviews with 9
Athletes face a heightened susceptibility to disordered eating compared to non-athletes. Social and sport pressures influence disordered eating behaviours among elite athletes. Interviews with 9 male and female athletes reveal insights into the complex interplay between societal norms, athletic demands, and dietary practices.
knowledge nuggets
Addressing mental health in elite youth athletes
A recent review shows that research on elite youth athletes often focuses on disordered eating, anxiety and depression and that risk factors for mental health
A recent review shows that research on elite youth athletes often focuses on disordered eating, anxiety and depression and that risk factors for mental health issues include gender, athlete status, and social relationships with coaches, parents and guardians, and peers. These findings highlight the pressing need for effective prevention measures to safeguard the mental health of elite youth athletes.
knowledge nuggets
Benefits of pre-exercise stretching
Regular stretching is common among athletes as an injury prevention and warm up method. A recent study finds that regularly stretching before exercising and sticking
Regular stretching is common among athletes as an injury prevention and warm up method. A recent study finds that regularly stretching before exercising and sticking to a routine can lower the chances of muscular or tendon injuries, especially in sports like running. Additionally, regular stretching may even improve balance and lower the risk of falling.
More safeguarding resources
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