Safeguarding
Safeguarding refers to efforts to create a sport environment that is safe and inclusive which protects participants from maltreatment as well as threats to sport integrity. Our resources are curated to support safe sport environments, where everyone has a role to play.
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Top 10 resources
- Safe Sport and Safeguarding in Canada Literature Review
- Supporting Safe Environments for Youth in Sports Research Summary
- SCRI Panel: Panel: The future of safe sport
- Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport
- Canadian Safe Sport Program
- SIRC Article: Match Manipulation and Gambling in Sport
- Overview of Competition Manipulation
- Overview of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program
- NCCP Creating a Positive Sport Environment Training Module
- NCCP Safe Sport Training Module
Featured resource
Natalie Durand-Bush and Krista Van Slingerland
Featured resource
Coaching Association of Canada
Featured resource
Gretchen Kerr, University of Toronto
Quick Facts
What are they key terms related to maltreatment in sport?
- Safe sport: Efforts to create a sport environment that is free from maltreatment, and optimizes sport experiences through promoting holistic development, respect, human rights (for example: safety, inclusion), and fun. Learn more.
- Maltreatment: A volitional act and/or omission that
results in harm or has the potential for physical or psychological harm. Learn more. - Prohibited behaviour: Conduct described in the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS), including but not limited to maltreatment.
- Disclosure: The sharing of information by a person regarding an incident or a pattern of Maltreatment experienced by that person, including a breach of reasonable boundaries. Disclosure does not constitute a formal Report. From the UCCMS.
- Reporting: The provision of information by a Participant or by any person to an independent authority designated by the Adopting Organization to receive Reports regarding Prohibited Behaviour. From the UCCMS.
What are the key terms related to sport integrity?
- Competition manipulation: “is a deliberate effort to influence elements of a sporting contest or its outcome, usually for financial gain.” From the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.
- Canadian Anti-Doping Program: is the Canadian program, administered by Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport “designed to prevent, deter and detect doping and serves to protect the integrity of sport and the rights of clean athletes.” From the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.
What are they key terms related to mental health?
- Mental Health: “A state of psychological, emotional, and social well-being in which individuals are capable to feel, think, and act in ways that allow them to enjoy life, realize their potential, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their community” (WHO, 2022).
- Mental Illness: “A health condition characterized by alterations in individuals’ feeling, thinking, and behaving, leading to significant distress and impaired functioning in their personal and professional activities. It pertains to all diagnosable mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and substance use disorders.” Learn more.
What is the UCCMS & the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP)?
- The Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) is a policy which was created to support the creation of quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming and safe sport experiences, and propel the work towards creating sport environments that are free from maltreatment and ensure all sport participants are treated with dignity and respect. The UCCMS outlines prohibited behaviours for those working in a sport environment in an effort to prevent maltreatment.
- The Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP) is the program created to administer and enforce the UCCMS for Sport Organizations, by receiving and
responding to Reports of Prohibited Behaviour, and by developing and carrying out education, prevention and policy activities, including sport environment assessments. The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) has been mandated to administer the CSSP.
Why is the athlete voice a critical part of safe sport environments?
A critical component to safeguarding sport is ensuring the athlete voice is at the heart of decision-making. This can be done formally through athlete commissions and athletes as board directors, as well as through ensuring athletes have choice and autonomy in their training. Autonomy supportive coaching refers to “a style used by coaches to support their athletes’ freedom, encourage their independence, and involve them in decision-making.” Learn more.
The Association of Canada’s National Team athletes, AthletesCAN, is the collective voice of Canadian national team athletes. It ensures an athlete-centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture.
Where is maltreatment, doping violations, or competition manipulation reported?
Reporting maltreatment can be done through the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP). Reports can be made by phone or text to 1-866-971-2777. It is important to also check the safe sport resources specific to the sport organization for details on Independent Third-Party reporting options.
Reporting doping violations or competition manipulation can be done by contacting the CCES Integrity Hotline.
How does safeguarding impact interactions with sport participants and the coach-athlete relationship?
In addition to technical and tactical expertise, it is a coach’s responsibility to create a sport environment that is high quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming, free from maltreatment and ensures all sport participants are treated with dignity and respect (UCCMS).
Optimal athletic performances (at all levels of sport) require athletes to move out of their comfort zones and sometimes this means the coach needs to encourage the athletes to do so. However, when challenging athletes, you must also support them (Fletcher & Sarkar 2016).
Safe Sport does not mean that coaches cannot encourage athletes to move outside of their comfort zones. What it does do is stimulate reflection on whether the coach takes control and ‘pushes’ the athlete, or leaves responsibility with the athlete by ‘encouraging’ the athlete and supporting them to make a decision (for example: autonomy supportive coaching). Learn more.
Safe Sport does not mean that coaches cannot develop a close, trusting relationship with their athletes. In fact, research on achieving optimal athletic performance cites the importance of having a close, trusting coach-athlete relationship (Jowett, 2017). From a Safe Sport perspective, such relationships can and should occur for wellbeing and optimal performance, but that relationship boundaries need to be maintained, and interactions, to the extent possible, should occur in open and observable spaces. Learn more about the Rule of Two from the Coaching Association of Canada.
What does it mean to create a safe sport environment?
A safe sport environment is one that is free from maltreatment, and optimizes sport experiences through promoting holistic development, respect, human rights (for example: safety, inclusion), and fun. There are several ways to create a safe environment, through coaching practices (see above), as well as education and awareness campaigns (for example: Tennis Canada Sport Safety Page).
It is also important to have strong policies and governance in place. For example, Volleyball Canada’s pan-Canadian Safe Sport policy has a strong policy alignment between the National and Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations, and the Canadian-Anti-Doping Program.
How does safeguarding intersect with equity and inclusion in sport?
A key component to safeguarding sport is ensuring the sport environment is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, as research has shown athletes from equity-denied groups experience an increased prevalence of maltreatment (Gurgis et al., 2022). Pay attention to specific circumstances and needs of Women, Racialized, Parasport, and LGBTQ athletes, and take efforts such as using inclusive language and using accessible venues; as well as having zero tolerance for all forms of harassment, discrimination, and bullying.
Resources to support creating a safe sport environment for equity-denied groups include:
How does safeguarding intersect with athlete mental health?
It is important to create an environment that prioritizes athlete mental health and well-being. This includes improving mental health literacy through education, ensuring sport participants have access to mental health resources, and creating a psychologically safe environment that allows participants to speak freely without fear of retribution. Learn more.
Video Resources
Advancing Safe Sport Through Occupational Health and Safety
- Laurentian University and SIRC
- 2022
The Sporting Experiences of BIPOC Women & Girls in Canada
- Canadian Women & Sport and E-Alliance
- 2021
Experts Connect: Creating a Safe Environment for All Girls
- Canadian Women & Sport and Flags of Glory
- 2020
Concussion Reporting: The roles of coaches, players, and trainers
- Western University and SIRC
- 2024
Supporting a teammate who has a concussion
- OAK Concussion Lab and SIRC
- 2022
Preventing Concussions in Canadian Sport // Prévenir les commotions dans le sport canadien
- SIRC
- 2019
Knowledge Nuggets
knowledge nuggets
Promoting mental health help-seeking in athletes
Seeking help for mental health can be difficult for athletes, and researchers are trying to understand why. According to one study, challenges that many athletes
Seeking help for mental health can be difficult for athletes, and researchers are trying to understand why. According to one study, challenges that many athletes face include limited access to mental health support and fear of judgement from others when seeking help. Having role models and teams that promote mental health can play an important role in overcoming these challenges.
knowledge nuggets
How parents can help their child cope with getting “cut”
Deselection, or being “cut” from a team, can be tough for young competitive athletes. Parents can help their child cope with being cut from a
Deselection, or being “cut” from a team, can be tough for young competitive athletes. Parents can help their child cope with being cut from a team by being positive and using the “console first, talk later” rule. Allow your child time to process their emotions for 24 to 48 hours before talking to them about it.
knowledge nuggets
Pain relief medication in elite athletes
An alarming number of elite athletes rely on pain relief medication to compete through injuries or enhance performance. Despite some caution about side effects, self-administration
An alarming number of elite athletes rely on pain relief medication to compete through injuries or enhance performance. Despite some caution about side effects, self-administration is common and can be influenced by coaches and medical staff.
knowledge nuggets
Vitamin D in athletes
Vitamin D plays an important role in preventing musculoskeletal injuries. But according to recent research, many athletes are deficient in Vitamin D, especially in the
Vitamin D plays an important role in preventing musculoskeletal injuries. But according to recent research, many athletes are deficient in Vitamin D, especially in the winter. Spending time in the sun and consuming a diet rich in foods like fish and eggs are simple ways to increase Vitamin D intake. If you’re concerned about your Vitamin D levels, talk to your doctor.
knowledge nuggets
Supporting racialized student athletes
Racialized student athletes may experience higher levels of poor mental health. A recent consensus seeking process undertaken among NCAA student athletes, educators, administrators, and health
Racialized student athletes may experience higher levels of poor mental health. A recent consensus seeking process undertaken among NCAA student athletes, educators, administrators, and health professionals identified 42 strategies for higher education institutions to address the mental health needs of racialized student athletes. Examples include having clear pathways to report discrimination, having diversity in sports staff, and educating sport stakeholders.
knowledge nuggets
Choosing the right running shoe
Running shoes can affect running performance and injury risk. Research shows that shoe drop, cushioning, stiffness, and weight needs to be considered based on the
Running shoes can affect running performance and injury risk. Research shows that shoe drop, cushioning, stiffness, and weight needs to be considered based on the runner’s anatomy, gait, and training routine. To optimize running efficiency and minimize risk of injury, shoe biomechanics and individual needs must be considered.
knowledge nuggets
Comparing anxiety levels in individual vs. team sports
In a study exploring how anxiety levels differed among athletes in individual versus team sports, individual sport athletes reported higher levels of anxiety compared team
In a study exploring how anxiety levels differed among athletes in individual versus team sports, individual sport athletes reported higher levels of anxiety compared team sport athletes. Female athletes also reported higher levels of anxiety than male athletes. The results of this study point to the importance of tailored mental health supports for athletes based on gender and sport type.
knowledge nuggets
Stress fractures and vitamin D
Stress fractures can sideline athletes, but the good news is they’re often preventable. One major culprit is low vitamin D levels, which, when addressed with
Stress fractures can sideline athletes, but the good news is they’re often preventable. One major culprit is low vitamin D levels, which, when addressed with vitamin D and calcium supplementation, can significantly reduce fracture risk and speed up recovery.
More safeguarding resources
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