SQUASH CANADA IS NOW A PROUD CHAMPION OF THE RESPONSIBLE COACHING MOVEMENT

Ottawa, ON (September 24, 2020) — Squash Canada enhances its comprehensive Safe Sport program by taking the Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM) pledge.  Squash Canada joins over 700+ national and provincial sport organizations as well as clubs/facilities in its continued commitment to the overall Safe Sport movement.

The Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM) is a multi-phase system-wide movement, coordinated by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), which has the potential to affect all sport organizations and coaches.  The movement is a call to action for sport organizations, coaches, and parents to enact responsible coaching across Canada both on and off the field of play.

As part of Squash Canada’s commitment to implementing the RCM, a new ‘Athlete Protection Policy’ has been developed that encompasses several key practices that coaches will be expected to abide by including the Rule of Two (developed by the CAC). The goal of the Rule of Two is to ensure all interactions and communications are open, observable, and justifiable between participants and coaches.  The purpose is to protect participants and coaches in potentially vulnerable situations by ensuring more than one adult is present.

“Taking the Responsible Coaching Movement pledge is another step in our efforts to ensure a safe environment for squash participants, while also adding a layer of protection for coaches”, said Dan Wolfenden, Squash Canada Executive Director.  “It means that coaching interactions and the environment they are performed in need to be consciously planned with safety as an over-arching consideration.”

By signing the Responsible Coaching Movement pledge, the organization and its leaders are adding an additional declaration to prioritize youth and coach safety”, said Lorraine Lafrenière, Chief Executive Officer of the Coaching Association of Canada. “The pledge sets standards for the Rule of Two, training and screening requirements that can be understood and expected in member squash clubs throughout the country.

Responsible Coaching Movement: 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: