About Safe Sport
Background
The Canadian government has, over the years, investigated, invested and developed strategies and promotions for improved safety of all youth in sport. The development of the Safe Sport Helpline (link below) is one vital example of the progress. Continued progress is seen by way of sports organizations – national, provincial, regional, and community, that have responded to ensure that they meet or exceed required standards, ensuring that they have the appropriate policies and procedures in place. Safe, harassment free inclusive sport for all Canadian youth lead to the Coaching Association of Canada developing a nationwide code of conduct for sport in Canada.
Safe Soccer in Canada
Canada Soccer has introduced the “Canada Soccer Safe Sport Roster“. This roster is a package of programs, policies, and procedures designed to ensure that all organizations that offer soccer programming in Canada create safe, fun, and welcoming experiences for all participants.
Canada Soccer, as the governing body for sport, provides periodic updates to the requirements of member organization clubs in support of its Safe Sport Roster. For amateur soccer organizations in Canada, the expansion of the Canada Soccer Youth Club Licensing Program as a requirement of membership has been implemented as a direct result of the unanimous adoption of the Canada Soccer Safe Sport Roster at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Members.
Ahead of the start of the 2023 soccer season, all member organizations that offer soccer programing in a Canada Soccer Member Association Province and Territory will be required to meet the minimum standards of the Quality Soccer Provider level of the Canada Soccer Youth Club Licensing Program is support of the guiding principles of the Safe Sport Roster.
Source: https://www.canadasoccer.com/play-landing/safe-sport/
Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics
All who participate in sanctioned soccer from grassroots through professional and National Teams play shall abide by the Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics. Any violation of the code should be reported to discipline@canadasoccer.com
Rule of 2
The purpose of the Rule of Two is to ensure that all interactions and communications are in an open and observable environment and that they are justifiable.
Canada Soccer Guidelines require that all one-on-one interactions between a coach and an athlete take place within earshot and in view of another trusted adult, except for medical emergencies.
Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code
The Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code specifies the organization, procedures, and functions of the Judicial Bodies of Canada Soccer. The Code defines disciplinary measures or sanctions that may be imposed upon those found to have breached the Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics, Canada Soccer Rules & Regulations, relevant anti-doping policies and regulations, or Canada Soccer competition regulations.
Whistleblower Policy
Canada Soccer’s Whistleblower Hotline (1-800-661-9675, whistleblower@canadasoccer.com) is an independent, third-party operated mechanism put in place in 2017 to supplement the Code of Conduct and Ethics.