Safe Sport Resources
The ACA is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, healthy and inclusive sports environment where all members can participate in their sport free from abuse, maltreatment, harassment and discrimination.
If you have a concern or have seen a member breach an ACA Policy, please take the most appropriate action from our Report a Concern or Violation webpage.
For more information regarding ACA’s policies please our Bylaws & Policies page.
Keeping Sport Safe, Fair and Fun
Responsible coaching allows you to support your participants’ right to a safe, positive environment. Here are some ways to protect your athletes and yourself both on and off the field of play:
Engage in Safe Sport Training
Ensure your organization has taken the Responsible Coaching Movement Pledge.
Support your organization by having key policies, like a Travel Policy and a Code of Conduct, and see that these are current and enforced.
Ensure that all coaches and volunteers are appropriately screened.
Encourage coaches and volunteers to take the Commit To Kids, Respect in Sport, and NCCP Make Ethical Decisions training.
Ask yourself, ‘What are some ways that I, as a coach, can support the Rule of Two?’
Rule of Two
The goal of the Rule of Two is to 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. There may be exceptions for emergency situations.
Protect your Participants
Ensure that all participants (coaches, athletes, etc.) are registered in good standing with the ACA or through your PSO and that all coaches are certified to the level they are coaching to.
With your participants, identify situations that may make them vulnerable and discuss ways to deal with them. For example:
When identifying your coaching team, consider the demographics of your participants.
When travel is necessary, avoid situations where there is only one coach or volunteer with a single minor participant. If this is not possible, then ensure that the coach or volunteer has been appropriately screened (link to screening matrix), the athlete is comfortable with the individual, and that you have parental consent. As soon as possible, when arriving at the destination and during the event, find a “buddy” coach or volunteer to associate with during the event and when away from the venue.
Identify situations during practice and competition that may put you or your participants in a vulnerable situation and consider ways to avoid or alter the environment.
Encourage parents to appropriately support their children’s involvement.
Allow training environments to be open to observation by parents.
Ensure an open and observable environment for all interactions between adults and participants.
Avoid private or one-on-one situations except in an emergency. Leave the office door open or have the conversation in a visible but removed part of the facility.
Responsible Coaching Movement
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