Sport organizations in British Columbia are committed to creating a safe sport environment that is accessible, inclusive, respects their participants personal goals, and is free from all forms of Maltreatment. As part of BC Artistic Swimming's commitment to Safe Sport, our staff and Board have completed Commit to Kids training, signed the Responsible Coaching Movement Pledge, and are champions of True Sport.
BC Artistic Swimming values fair, safe, open and inclusive sport for all. To this end, in partnership with Canada Artistic Swimming, our members clubs and a variety of Canadian safe sport leading organizations, we promote and activate a number of initiatives with, and, for our members that work in tandem to support our alignment with the following policies:
If you are aware of a suspected incident of abuse, harassment, discrimination, bullying, or maltreatment you have options to access advice, guidance and resources:
Canadian Sport Helpline
Canada Artistic Swimming Safe Sport Officer or contact BC Artistic Swimming for advice.
B.C. Helpline for Children: a confidential toll-free phone line for children and youth wanting to talk to someone - 310-1234 (no area code required)
VictimsLinkBC: a toll-free, confidential, multi-lingual telephone and online service available across BC 24 hours a day, 7 days a week which provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence.
Resilience BC: the Anti-Racism Network provides information about how to report incidences of racism and hate crimes if you are a victim or witness such incidences.
viaSport is commited to supporting sport organizations in creating sport environments that are free from all forms of harm: physical, mental, emotional, and psychological. viaSport's approach to Safe Sport encompasses injury prevention, concussion management, protection from maltreatment, and mental health.
To learn more, please click on the links below:
Commit to Kids (C2K) provides policies, strategies, and a step-by-step plan to help reduce the risk of sexual abuse happening within child-serving organizations.C2K provides tailored training and resources such as Commit to Kids - Keeping Kids Safe in Sport that helps sport organizations develop policies for coaches and volunteers that uphold standards of conduct to keep kids safe in sport.
All BC Artistic Swimming Board Members and Staff are required to complete the Commit to Kids training. BCAS encourages all coaches and club executives to complete the training and to use the resources to support creating safe spaces for all participants.
All coaches in BC and Canada are required to complete the Making Ethical Decision training and evaluation to be eligible for certification. BCAS also mandates that ALL coaches - AquaGO!, recreation, adaptive, provincial stream, national stream or Masters complete this training and evaluation to be allowed on deck.
To learn more about Making Ethical Decision, please click here.
At BCAS we strive to create inclusive, safe and welcoming spaces for all British Columbians to participate in artistic swimming regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We are helping coaches, parents, athletes and volunteers understand how to create inclusive spaces for individuals that identify with the LGBTQI2S community (adapted from viaSport page).
As part of this commitment, BCAS has adopted key policies within its Conduct Policy Suite that support safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces for all:
For more information, visit the viaSport inclusion page.
Respect in Sport educates leaders, coaches, officials, and participants (14-years and up) to recognize, understand and respond to issues of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination (BAHD). The goal is to assist them in creating a safe, healthy and respectful environment for all participants.
BC Artistic Swimming’s Coach Certification Policy requires ALL coaches to complete the Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders training.
Find out more or register for Respect in Sport.
Sport leaders and coaches play a vital role in sport, serving as authority figures, mentors, teachers, and role models for athletes – they are integral to the athlete experience. The Responsible Coaching Movement is a collaborative effort to ensure the impact of coaches is a positive one for athletes and for Canadian sport.
In 2018, BCAS made a pledge to support the Responsible Coaching Movement, committing to three key areas of focus that ensure athlete safety and protection:
Rule of Two – The Rule of Two protects minor athletes in potentially vulnerable situations by ensuring that more than one adult is present during vulnerable situations such as closed doors meetings, travel, and training environments.
Background Screening - Background Screening uses a variety of tools such as criminal record checks to ensure coaches and volunteers meet the necessary security requirements to coach or work with athletes.
Respect and Ethics Training - Increasing coaches’ ethical conduct toward athletes requires that they be trained to understand what it means to act ethically. Training includes the Make Ethical Decisions module within the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), as well as in abuse and harassment prevention, such as Respect in Sport, before and during their coaching career.
Find out more about the Responsible Coaching Movement
Although the Rule of Two is a component of the Responsible Coaching Movement, described above, it warrants its own section as it is the simplest and easiest way that sport organizations can create a safe space for all participants.
The goal of the Rules of Two is ensure all interactions and communications are open, observable, and justifiable. Its purpose is to protect participants (especially minors) and coaches in potentially vulnerable situations by ensuring more than one adult is present.
In its simplest form, avoid situations that create the conditions for misunderstandings, misrepresentations, or ambiguity by ensuring that athletes and coaches are not ever alone or out of sight.
To learn more about the Rule of Two, please visit the Coaching Association of Canada website.
The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) developed the Safe Sport Training module to help anyone involved in sport identify and prevent situations of maltreatment. We all share the responsibility of creating a culture where everyone can thrive. Together, we can make sport safe for everyone.
BCAS staff are required to complete the Safe Sport Training module. BCAS officials are required to complete either the Safe Sport Training or Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders.
All coaches, club executives and parents are encouraged to complete the FREE Safe Sport Training module.
All members over the age of 18 are required to submit a vulnerable sector criminal record check - this includes coaches, officials, volunteers, club executive and BCAS Board members and staff. Clubs are encouraged to ensure all other administrative staff complete an appropriate screening process. Click here to read the CAS Screening Policy.
In 2019, Canada Artistic Swimming implemented new registration and screening standards for coaches. The new standards are aligned with the BCAS Coach Certification Policy that went into effect in September 2018. Please review this document closely to ensure you meet the minimum requirements.
To complete your criminal record check requirement, please visit Sterling Talent Solutions Backcheck - the results will be automatically shared with BCAS and CAS and will appear in your registration profile in the e-Registration System. Please be prepared to enter your CAS ID number at the time of registration. If you don't know your CAS ID number you can access it from your Club Registrar or through BCAS. There is a standard fee for service and your results will be valid for 5 years from the date it is processed.
If you have any questions or concerns about the screening process for BCASC members, please contact us.
Since 2017, BCAS has been a proud member of True Sport, a growing social movement of athletes, coaches, officials, parents, and community leaders who want sport in Canada to be a positive, enriching experience for everyone who participates. In all of our programming we aim to live by the True Sport Principles:
Go for It - Rise to the challenge - always strive for excellence. Discover how good you can be.
Play Fair - Play honestly - obey both the letter and spirit of the rules. Winning is only meaningful when competition is fair.
Respect Others - Show respect for everyone involved in creating your sporting experience, both on and off the field. Win with dignity and lose with grace.
Keep it Fun - Find the joy of sport. Keep a positive attitude both on and off the field.
Stay Healthy - Place physical and mental health above all other considerations - avoid unsafe activities. Respect your body and keep in shape.
Include Everyone - Share sport with others. Ensure everyone has a place to play.
Give Back - Find ways to show your appreciation for the community that supports your sport and helps make it possible.
To guide BC Artistic Swimming's commitment to living the True Sport Principles and Management by Values, the True Sport Policy was developed. This is a global applicable to all artistic swimming activities in British Columbia and all BCAS members.
Find out more about the True Sport Movement.
BC Artistic Swimming upholds the merits of safe and ethical sports practices and believes in the importance of a fair and level playing field for everyone. We encourage athletes and parents of all levels to educate themselves on the anti-doping regulations in Canada.
Canada Artistic Swimming Anti-Doping and Substance Abuse
Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport
Is Your Supplement Safe?
In 2019, Canada Artistic Swimming developed a comprehensive Concussion Policy supplemented by concussion management protocols. Today, these documents stand as the gold standard of concussion management in Canada.
To ensure compliance with BCAS's Coach Certification Policy, ALL registered coaches in BC must complete the NCCP's Making Headway e-learning training. In addition, mandatory training on the CAS Concussion Policy & Protocols will be in effect prior to the start of the 2020-21 season.
Red Cross Swimming & Water Safety Tips
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