Code of Conduct to Protect Children
Guidelines for Appropriate Conduct between Adults and Children
Policy for Reporting Child Abuse or Misconduct
Supporting Participant’s Physical and Emotional Safety
Guidelines for Adults Interacting with Children in Sport
Adapted from commit2kids - C2K_CoachingAssocCanada_Interacting_en.pdf (commit2kids.ca)
Coaches are generally in a position of power and trust in a coach-athlete relationship, and it is expected that they model appropriate behavior that upholds public confidence. The responsibility is with the adult to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries with children.
Examples of Appropriate Behavior:
- Interactions with athletes are goal-oriented
- Interactions with athletes are outcome focused
- Supportive language, tone, and attitude toward others
- Model professional physical and emotional boundaries (know the line)
- Responsive to athlete’s needs and not engaging with the athlete to meet the adult’s needs
- Engaging with athletes in a manner that would be seen by a reasonable observer as maintaining reasonable boundaries
- Keeping practices open to observation by parents (transparent interactions)
- Communication with children (including electronic) is transparent and accountable and tied to the job description and professional qualifications
Examples of Inappropriate Behavior:
- Sexualized attention
- Humiliating or intimidating children
- Inappropriate touching of children (e.g., massaging, stroking, caressing, roughhousing, tickling)
- Confiding or sharing overly personal information with a child (e.g., sharing financial or relationship problems)
- Asking children to keep secrets
- Treating a child as an “adult” under the guise of maturity
- Creating an emotional dependency and isolating the athlete from other teammates/ staff/parents (e.g., pitting athlete against other teammates and/or against other athletic team staff)
- Electronic communication with athletes that is personal and not directly tied to coaching duties
- Communication that is excessive, not tied to work duties or athlete goals
- Pictures taken with personal devices or in change rooms
- Giving athletes inappropriate gifts
Communicating with Children
All interactions and activities with children should be (including electronic communication):
- Transparent - Accountable
- Tied to coaching/volunteer duties - In response to meeting the child’s needs
- Reflect a duty of care and protection
Policy for Reporting Child Abuse or Misconduct
It must be reported if a child discloses abuse or abuse is discovered; this includes disclosure of abuse outside the organization, a peer disclosing on behalf of another child, and an adult suspecting a child is abused.
If a coach/volunteer or parent receives a report of abuse or suspects abuse either experienced or observed, they must:
- Notify the coach, soccer director, or Whyte Ridge Community Center President
- Report abuse to a child welfare agency and/or a law enforcement agency
- Consult with child welfare about notifying parents.
Reporting suspected child abuse is mandatory under Manitoba’s Child and Family Services Act and failure to report may constitute an offense. This obligation to report applies even if the information is told in confidence.
Resources:
C2K_StepsForReportingChildAbuse_CAC_en.pdf (commit2kids.ca)
Province of Manitoba | fs - Reporting of child Protection and Child Abuse (gov.mb.ca)
Supporting Participant’s Physical and Emotional Safety
At the Whyte Ridge Community Center, we are focused on providing programming where all participants feel safe both physically and emotionally. We are committed to providing a respectful environment free from discrimination and harassment that respects diversity and inclusion. We aim to empower all participants to prevent abuse, bullying, and harassment.
Response requirements
If an incident occurs that jeopardizes a participant’s physical or emotional safety, it is essential to respond immediately in a calm respectful way. The incident can be handled by:
- Intervening immediately,
- Separating the individuals/groups involved
- Ensuring the mental and physical health needs of the individuals involved are met.
- Report the incident to a supervisor/director, to ensure that the participant feels supported and the issue has been appropriately addressed.
We are committed to providing a safe space where inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Supporting the well-being of the children and youth involved in the activities and programs delivered by the WRCC is our priority.
Rule of Two Policy
At Whyte Ridge Community Center we are committed to providing quality programming where the health and safety of our participants is the priority. The intention of the rule of two policy is to ensure all interactions between a coach and athlete are open, observable, and justifiable. This policy states that one-on-one situations between coach and athlete without another individual present must be avoided in all circumstances except medical emergencies.
WRCC is committed to ensuring our participants are in the safest possible environment with the highest standards and we are working towards having two screened and certified NCCP-trained or certified coaches always present with an athlete. If two NCCP coaches are not available, then one NCCP-trained coach and a second screened adult will be present. If this is not possible one NCCP-Trained coach and at least 2 athletes will be present. For the purpose of this policy, a person of authority is defined as an NCCP-trained or certified coach, a screened volunteer, or another adult.
The following standards have been developed to ensure we are adhering to the rule of 2 policy.
- A person of authority is never alone or out of sight with a participant.
- The training environment will be open to observation.
- Eliminate all one-to-one electronic messaging. Ensure all messages are sent to the group or include the parents/guardians.
- Interactions between a person of authority should not occur in any room where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as a locker room, meeting room, washroom, or changing area. A second person of authority must be present if such interactions are necessary.
- A person of authority should never be alone with an athlete prior to the start or prior to a game or practice. A parent/guardian should be asked to stay until another athlete arrives prior to a game or practice. A person of authority should ask another person of authority, or another parent/guardian or athlete to stay if it is after a game/practice.
Coaching Soccer
Please consider coaching with Whyte Ridge Youth Soccer - it can’t happen without you!
Coaching is critical to both the development and enjoyment of our young soccer players. Being a soccer coach, especially at an early age, does NOT require soccer experience. For many of you parents who will be out cheering every time your child plays, please consider becoming a coach.
Whyte Ridge Youth Soccer is committed to helping you get all the tools necessary to help you give your child(ren) and their friends a great soccer experience. We will assist you as you complete the required credentials and will reimburse you directly or via our parent organizations for any costs incurred. Additional training sessions will be provided and our soccer conveners are always available to answer your questions.
Requirements for Whyte Ridge coaches and assistant coaches
Youth coaches (U9-18): All coaches and assistant coaches are required to register prior to the season’s start. Coaches cannot be assigned to their teams until this registration has occurred.
1. Criminal Record Check (PCRC or PVSC)
- Required for all coaches in Manitoba.
- Good for 3 years (needs to be renewed every 3 years to continue coaching).
- Cost: $60.00 (Reimbursable in full by WRCC with receipt.) Please contact the Recreation Program Manager for a voucher BEFORE completing your application.
- Visit Winnipeg Police Service - Online Record Checks.
2. Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders (RIS #)
- Required for all coaches in Manitoba.
- Good for 5 years (needs to be renewed every 5 years to continue coaching). If you don’t know your RIS status, use this Validation Tool.
- 3 hour online course.
- Cost: Free.
- Visit https://sportmanitoba.respectgroupinc.com/.
3. Child Abuse Registry check (CAR)
- Required for all youth soccer coaches (U9-U18) who are involved in the Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association (WYSA). Note: This is not mandatory for the mini-soccer coaches.
- Good for 3 years (needs to be renewed every 3 years to continue coaching).
- Cost: Free if done through the WRCC office - application submission with identification verification done by WRCC. Please contact the Recreation Programming Manager to arrange.
- Cost: $20 if the application is submitted on your own (reimbursable in full by WRCC with receipt). Visit Adult and Child Abuse Registry Online Application Form to complete the application on your own.
4. Completion of one applicable Coaching Workshop
Visit Canada Soccer’s Grassroots Coach Education Program to find all available programs.
Active Start
- For coaches of players ages 4-6
- 60-90 minute online workshop
- Can be done at your own pace, on your own time
- Good for life (does not need to be renewed)
- $21 (reimbursable by WRCC with receipt)
FUNdamentals
- For coaches of players ages 6-8
- 60-90 minutes online workshop
- Can be done at your own pace, on your own time
- Good for life (does not need to be renewed)
- $21 (reimbursable by WRCC with receipt)
Learn to Train
- For coaches of players ages 9-12
- 60-90 minute online workshop
- Can be done at your own pace, on your own time
- Good for life (does not need to be renewed)
- $31.50 (reimbursable in full by WRCC with receipt)
Soccer for Life
- For coaches of players 13+
- 60-90 minute online workshop
- Can be done at your own pace, on your own time
- Good for life (does not need to be renewed)
- $31.50 (reimbursable in full by WRCC with receipt)
Upon completion of required screening and training coaches will receive a green coach card. If you already have the card, it will get stamped each season by WRCC as long as your certifications have not expired.
Coaching FAQs:
Q: Do I need coaching courses or coaching certification to coach recreational soccer?
A: Up until now team officials coaching recreational soccer did not require coaching courses. However, starting in 2021 they are now mandatory for team officials looking to coach U9 to U18 ages.
Q: I am new to coaching, how do I get information about my function or responsibilities as a coach for Whyte Ridge Soccer?
A: The convener for your age group is a great resource for coaching questions. You can connect with the appropriate convener listed on our Soccer Contacts.
Q: I am interested in coaching in Whyte Ridge Youth Soccer. Who do I contact?
A: Please contact the Recreation Program Manager at Whyte Ridge Community Centre. He/she will be happy to assist you in becoming a member of our team!
