Valley Bulldogs Youtube Channel
From Football Nova Scotia:
Everyone has the right to participate in sport in a safe, supportive environment that benefits the emotional, social, and physical well being of all involved. This is not limited just to the athletes, but includes parents, coaches, officiates, volunteers, and audience members too. We all want to enjoy the sports we love, and that means Safe Sport is a shared responsibility.
Collaboration, inclusion, education, empowerment, and participation are the key components of creating a safe space. For more information about supporting Safe Sport, visit safesportns.ca/safe-sport-means
Football Nova Scotia has a zero tolerance policy on abuse of any kind. If you suspect these Safe Sport rules are being neglected at any point and would like to know your next steps, The Canadian Sport Helpline can provide you with trusted, third-party guidance and advice.
THE CANADIAN SPORT HELPLINE
EDUCATION
Football Nova Scotia is requiring that all individuals involved with the sport across the province take the new safe sport training module, available via the Coaching Association of Canada website.
As of January 1, 2021, coaches, officials, and all administrative staff and volunteers must be trained on conduct to prevent and address maltreatment.
The safe sport module is a free, 90-minute eLearning module that gives all participants the tools to recognize, address, and prevent maltreatment in sport. The module aligns with the principles of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport and meets Sport Canada requirements for Safe Sport education.
To take the training, you must create an account in “The Locker”, even if you are not a coach (it’s free!) We suggest saving a screenshot of the final slide when completed for your records.
RULE OF TWO (2)
Football Nova Scotia (FNS) adopts the Rule of Two policy. The goal of the Rule of Two is to ensure all interactions and communications are open, observable, and justifiable. Its purpose is to protect participants (especially minors) and coaches in potentially vulnerable situations by ensuring more than one adult is present. There may be exceptions in emergency situations.
Good practices to implement the Rule of Two
- Ensure a coach is never alone and out of sight with a participant without another screened coach or screened adult (parent or volunteer) present.
- Allow the training environment to be open to observation.
- Ensure a participant rides in a coach's vehicle with another adult present.
- Consider the gender of the participant(s) when selecting the screened coaches and volunteers present.
- Eliminate one-to-one electronic messaging. Ensure that all communications are sent to the group and/or include parents.