Racquetball Canada has taken a number of actions to protect those involved in the sport and encourages all clubs, facilities, provincial associations and tournament organizers to do the same.<\/p>

Racquetball Canada:<\/p>

• Is guided by a robust set of Safe Sport policies;<\/li>
• Has adopted the Universal Code of Conduct against the Maltreatment in S<\/strong><\/em>port<\/strong><\/em>;<\/li>
• Has pledged to the Responsible Coaching Movement <\/strong>which means Racquetball Canada follows the Rule of Two, requires Ethics Training and has implemented screening processes for personnel and volunteers;<\/li>
• Has adopted protocols, best practices and recommendations put in place by leaders in the field of Safe Sport.<\/li><\/ul>
  <\/div>

  Policies<\/h2>

  Racquetball Canada has a robust set of policies to help protect all participants in the sport of racquetball.<\/p>

  Racquetball Canada\u2019s policies are referenced throughout the Safe Sport webpages.<\/p>

  Specifically we are committed to;<\/p>

  • Limiting physical interactions to non-threatening or non-sexual touching (e.g., high fives, pats on the back or shoulder, handshakes, specific skill instruction, etc.)<\/li>
  • Ensuring that Vulnerable Individuals  (minors) are always supervised by more than one Person in Authority.<\/li>
  • Ensuring that more than one person is involved with team selection (thereby limiting the consolidation of power onto one individual).<\/li>
  • Ensuring that parents\/guardians are aware that some non-personal communication between Persons in Authority and Vulnerable Individuals, <\/em>such as between coaches and minor athletes, may take place electronically in the form of texts, emails or on social media platforms, and that this type of communications is now considered to be commonplace. Individuals are aware that such communication is subject to Racquetball Canada\u2019s Code of Conduct <\/em>and Social Media Policy.<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/li>
  • When traveling with Vulnerable Individuals, the Person in Authority will not transport Vulnerable Individuals without another adult present and will not stay in the same overnight accommodation without additional adult supervision.<\/li><\/ul>

    Click here<\/strong><\/a> to link to the complete list of Racquetball Canada policies.<\/p>

    <\/div>

    Universal Code of Conduct<\/h2>

    As part of Canada\u2019s national sport community, Racquetball Canada is dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming sport environment.<\/p>

    Racquetball Canada has adopted the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport<\/strong><\/em> (UCCMS) that has been developed by the Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC) for National Sport Organizations and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute. The UCCMS<\/em> is a result of an extensive consultation process that sought insight and expertise from within the sport system and from external experts.<\/p>

    The UCCMS<\/em> will provide the foundation for the development of a coordinated implementation strategy to prevent and address maltreatment across all levels of Racquetball, and for all participants including athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and practitioners.<\/p>

    Click here<\/a><\/strong> to view and download the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport<\/em> (UCCMS)<\/p>

    <\/div>

    Responsible Coaching Movement<\/h2>

    The Responsible Coaching Movement<\/a><\/strong><\/em> (RCM) is a call to action for sport organizations and coaches to maximize the positive benefits of sport through values-based and principle-driven coaching.<\/p>

    Racquetball Canada has taken the Responsible Coaching Pledge<\/strong> and encourages all clubs, facilities, tournament organizers and provincial associations to do the same.<\/p>

    The goal is to make sport safer for children and the vulnerable sector. The Responsible Coaching Movement wants coaches to consider how they coach, and not just what they coach. This can be the difference between just a safe sport environment and a sport environment that is safe, yet also fosters positive growth and personal development.<\/p>

    The RCM aims to protect athletes and coaches from unethical and illegal behaviour through the implementation of:<\/p>

    • Rule of Two<\/a><\/strong>: 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 in emergency situations.<\/li>
    • Background screening<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
    • Ethics & Respect Training<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul>