Safe Sporting Environment Guiding Principal

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SAFE SPORTING ENVIRONMENT GUIDING PRINCIPLE

“Organization” refers to The Southern Alberta Competitive Swimming Association Ltd.

*This organization operates locally as the Spartans Aquatic Club.

Definitions:

1. The following terms have these meanings in this guiding principle:

a. “Duty of Care”: is the requirement that reasonable care will be taken to avoid acts or omissions that could expose others to risk or harm.

b. “Representative” – All individuals employed by or engaged in activities on behalf “Organization”. Representatives include, but are not limited to, coaches, staff, administrators, officials, club directors and officers, committee members, and volunteers.

c. “Position of Trust” – a job or position in which one individual may exercise power or authority over another individual, such as a team manager or coach.

d. “Vulnerable Individual” – a person under the age of 18 years old and/or a person who, because of age, disability or other circumstance, is in a position of dependence on others or is otherwise at a greater risk than the general population of being harmed.

Purpose

2. “Organization” believes that everyone in the sport has the right to enjoy the sport at whatever level or position they participate. All members and staff have the right to participate in a safe and inclusive training and competitive environment that is free of abuse, harassment, or discrimination.

3. “Organization” believes the welfare of everyone involved in the sport is a foremost consideration and in particular the protection of children/athletes in the sport is the responsibility of each individual, member, club and special interest group in the swimming community.

Guiding Principle Statement

4. “Organization” provides a fun, healthy, inclusive, and safe environment. Swimming enriches the lives of everyone involved by ensuring that the training and competitive environment is one where athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and staff know they are safe, and are treated with respect and dignity.

Ongoing Commitment to a Safe Sporting Environment

5. “Organization”, in understanding its Duty of Care, will ensure standards and procedures, based on best practices, support a safe, inclusive, open, observable, and transparent sporting environment for all members.

6. The framework for Safe Sporting Environment focusses on the role, responsibility, and practices of everyone involved in Swimming to ensure the safety of and development of athletes.

7. “Organization” programs and services will be consistent with and support the Safe Sporting Environment Guiding Principle.

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8. “Organization” recognizes the critical role of the clubs and special interest group members in the delivery of Safe Sporting Environment programs initiatives.

9. “Organization” programs and services will adopt the Open and Observable Environment requirements of Swimming Canada. Open and observable environments means making meaningful and concerted efforts to avoid situations where a coach, official or other representative might be alone with an athlete and/or vulnerable individual. 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.

Evaluation

10. “Organization” shall continually monitor and evaluate its policies, practices and procedures. Applicable policies may include and are not limited to: [club to list actual policies it has in place versus list below that is tied to a Safe Sporting Environment]

i. Code of Conduct and Ethics

ii. Screening Policy

iii. Discipline and Complaints Policy

iv. Equity Inclusion and Universal Access Guiding Principle

Video: https://youtu.be/n2NGjL-rs_E