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This page provides resources to help prevent maltreatment and support the well-being of everyone in our artistic swimming community.
If you are aware of a suspected incident of abuse, harassment, discrimination, bullying, or maltreatment you have options to access advice, guidance and resources:
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.
The BC Artistic Swimming Provincial Communications Agreement was developed through a collaborative process with members during the 2021 and 2022 Year-End Club Meetings. The result of this process are the identification of a set of values that influence behaviours and a series of behaviour considerations and commitments that inform how members are expected to treat each other in all interactions. This includes club activities, organizational engagement and provincial events.
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.
Respect Group was created to empower the recognition and prevention of abuse, bullying and harassment. Through interactive, online certification, the Respect Group employs their vision of inspiring a global culture of respect in sport and recreation, the workplace, our schools, and ultimately the community.
Respect in Sport for Parents compliments the Activity Leader and Coach program by reinforcing a parent's role in their children's activities. It empowers parents to:
Frequently asked questions about Respect in Sport for Parents
Q: What is Respect in Sport?
A: Respect in Sport for Coaches and Activity Leaders is mandatory training for all coaches in BC. The program trains coaches to recognize and respond to the issues of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination. Respect in Sport for Parents, encourages positive sport behaviours and provides insights for parents into the roles of coaches and officials.
If you still have questions about Respect in Sport visit the Respect in Sport for Parents website.
Q: How do I sign up and take the Respect in Sport online course?
A: Visit the Canada Artistic Swimming Respect in Sport for Parents page and register to take the course.
Q: I took Respect in Sport with another sport. Do I have to take it again?
A: No, however you will have to register your certificate number with CAS to make sure it is on file. You can do this on the Canada Artistic Swimming Respect in Sport for Parents page.
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. Be persistent and discover how good you can be.
Play Fair - Understand, respect, and follow the rules. Play with integrity - competition is only meaningful when it is fair.
Respect Others - Show respect for everyone involved in creating your sporting experience, both on and off the field of play. Win with dignity and lose with grace.
Keep it Fun - Find the joy in sport and share it with others. Remember what you love about sport and why you play.
Stay Healthy - Always respect and care for your mind and body. Advocate for the health and safety of yourself and those around you.
Include Everyone - Recognize and celebrate strength in diversity. Invite and welcome others into sport.
Give Back - Say thanks and show gratitude. Encourage your sport group to make a difference in the community.
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.
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