Safe Sport
Swim Nova Scotia and Swimming Canada believes that athletes, coaches, officials, support staff and volunteers have the right to participate in a safe and inclusive sport environment that is free of abuse, harassment and discrimination. Swim Nova Scotia provides a safe and inclusive environment, which involves promoting Open and Observable Environments. This means making meaningful and concerted efforts to avoid situations where a coach/official/staff member, etc. might be alone with an athlete. All interactions between an athlete and an individual who is in a position of trust should normally, and wherever possible, be in an environment or space that is both ‘open’ and ‘observable’ to others.
All participants in sanctioned events are reminded that they are bound by Swim Nova Scotia Policies and Procedures, including but not limited, to the Code of Conduct and Ethics, the Equity and Inclusion Policy; the full policy suite is available online here.
Swim Nova Scotia Safe Sport Framework
Swim Nova Scotia has joined the True Sport community – a group of people that believe thatgood sport can make a great difference by supporting the True Sport Principles
Safe Sporting Environment at sanctioned swimming competitions in Nova Scotia.
Swim Nova Scotia Policies, which includes our Statement of Safe Sport
SWIMMING CANADA SAFE SPORT RESOURCES
Swimming Canada’s Safe Sport program focuses on education, prevention, and response, which is supported by strong governance, policies, and procedures. The Swimming Canada Safe Sport page also contains the contact information for their Safe Sport Officer, who is an independent third party who will guide you through the complaints process and/or explore other options.
SAFE SPORT TRAINING FOR COACHES
All Coaches registered with Swim NS are required to complete Safe Sport training. The following courses can be used to meet that requirement. If you are a Volunteer or Parent, these are also great courses to learn about Safe Sport.
Coaching Association of Canada Safe Sport Training
Safe Sport is a program developed by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) that works to ensure that every athlete can participate in their sport without physical, sexual, or psychological abuse. More information is available below and at Safe Sport Training.
Respect in Sport
The Respect in Sport Activity Leader program is an on-line training course for coaches, sport leaders and leaders of youth in virtually any activity. The course is primarily designed as a tool to assist leaders to identify and respond to abuse, neglect, harassment, and bullying.
All Coaches must meet Swim Nova Scotia's Coach Membership Requirements, and submit a Criminal Records Check including Vulnerable Sector Search and pass CSCA Screening requirements. Criminal Records Checks can be completed using MyBackCheck
SAFE SPORT TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEERS, CLUB/PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBERS & ADMINISTRATORS
Respect in the Workplace
Swim Nova Scotia has committed to training all Provincial staff and Board of Director’s in the Respect in Sport for Activity Leader Program.
Respect in the Workplace is a 90-minute online training program designed to empower people to recognize and prevent bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
This program is available for free to Swimming Canada and its affiliated organizations. Please email Bette for the link.
Respect in Sport for Parents
The Parent Program is a one-hour online training program for parents/guardians, reinforcing their role in their child’s activities, encouraging positive sport behaviours, and providing insight into the various roles other individuals play, such as coaches and officials.
This program costs $12 and is transferable to other sports involved in Respect in Sport.
Access to Respect in Sport for Parents
THE CANADIAN SPORT HOTLINE
The Canadian Sport Hotline is a third-party service provider whose role is to address harassment, abuse, and discrimination complaints. This hotline provides a safe place to report and can also provide advice and resources on how to intervene and/or proceed appropriately.