RESPONSIBLE COACHING MOVEMENT

The Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM) is a call to action for sport organizations, parents, and coaches to enact responsible coaching across Canada – on and off the field.  To reduce risk in sport, the Responsible Coaching Movement focuses on three key areas: Rule of Two, Background Screening, and Ethics & Respect Training. 

By signing the pledge of the Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM), Softball Canada is helping to ensure the protection of both Athletes and Coaches. 

Click here to have your organization take the Responsible Coaching Movement Pledge!

RULE OF TWO

Softball Canada encourages all participants to adhere to the 'Rule of Two' at all Softball Canada events, activities, and meetings. 

For interactions where there is a power imbalance between two people (I.e. Coach/Athlete, Board Member/Staff, Trainer/Athlete, Chair/Committee Member, etc.), Softball Canada strongly recommends open, observable, and justifiable interactions in an effort to foster safety, enhance protection and help reduce vulnerability for all. 

What is an ‘open’ environment? 

• An open environment is an environment that is not closed or concealed from others. 
• Interactions should not take place behind closed doors or in secluded locations.
• Others should be aware the interaction is taking place.

What is an ‘observable’ environment? 

• An observable environment is a space where others can see or take note of the interaction. 

RISK MANAGEMENT 

Softball Canada makes every effort to ensure that the safety of members remains a high priority by continuing to support a variety of programs that are developed both strategically and ethically . The Association’s Vision, Mission and Values, as outlined in Softball Canada’s Strategic Plan, form the basis of our programming. 

SCREENING

Individuals who coach, volunteer, officiate, deliver development programs, or who accompany a team to an event/ competition, who are paid staff, or otherwise engage with vulnerable individuals and who fall under Softball Canada's authority shall be screened according to the organizations Screening Policy. Softball Canada expects that both Provincial/ Territorial and local associations will screen such individuals according to their own applicable policies.

To access the full version of Softball Canada's Screening Policy,  click here. 

To access more information about general screening practices/ requirements, choose from the following resources:

• RCMP: Information on Criminal Record Checks
• My Back Check:  An online criminal record check solution

ONLINE TRAINING

SAFE SPORT TRAINING

Creating a culture where everyone can thrive is a shared responsibility.  Safe, inclusive sport environments help make sport rewarding and enriching for all.  Safe Sport Training gives you the knowledge and skills to create those environments by recognizing, addressing and preventing maltreatment in sport. 

Together, we can make sport safe for everyone.  To access the Safe Sport Training, click here.

RESPECT IN SPORT

Softball Canada, in partnership with the Respect Group, is proud to support Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders, Officials, Parents and in The Workplace. The Respect in Sport training programs educate youth leaders, coaches, officials, employees and participants to recognize, understand and respond to issues of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination (BAHD).

To access these training programs and become certificated through Softball Canada's database, click here.

COMMIT TO KIDS

Through the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (CCCP), Commit to Kids for Coaches online training empowers coaches with practical information to help them enhance child and youth safety in sport. It highlights the importance of understanding boundaries, sexual misconduct and reporting inappropriate behaviour.

Click here to access Commit to Kids for Coaches online training!

FOUNDATIONS OF COACHING SOFTBALL

Foundations of Coaching Softball is Softball Canada’s first online National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) module developed to introduce new and experienced coaches to the foundational skills of coaching and softball-specific coaching concepts, such as: developing a coaching philosophy, Long-Term Player Development, working with players and their parents, the coaching process, and player safety.

To register for Softball Canada’s Foundations of Coaching Softball eLearning module, click here.