Volleyball Alberta has adopted several policies aimed at addressing the maltreatment of individuals in sport which include:
•  Screening
•  Abuse
•  Code of Conduct & Ethics
•  Discipline & Complaints

A full list of Volleyball Alberta’s policies can be found on our website.

Volleyball Canada requires that all individuals involved with the sport across the country take the new safe sport training module, available via the Coaching Association of Canada website.
 
As of April 1, 2020, anyone associated with a Sport Canada-funded organization must be trained on conduct to prevent and address maltreatment. This includes coaches, referees, parents of youth athletes, high-performance staff and contractors, officials; and all administrative staff and volunteers whether they may have direct contact with athletes or not. 

The safe sport module is a free, 90-minute eLearning module that gives all participants the tools to recognize, address, and prevent maltreatment in sport. The module aligns with the principles of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport and meets Sport Canada requirements for Safe Sport education.
 
Visit the safe sport training site for more info:
https://safesport.coach.ca/ 

To take the training, you must create an account in “The Locker”, even if you are not a coach (it’s free!)

Open, observable, and justifiable interactions and communications are strongly recommended to foster safety, enhance protection, and help reduce the vulnerability of both the athlete and adult(s) in a position of trust. 

Commonly referred to as the Rule of Two, it means that there will always be two screened and safety-trained adults with a participant, especially a minor athlete, when in a potentially vulnerable situation.  Applying the Rule of Two is a measure that helps mitigate opportunities for maltreatment and abuse to occur.

Vulnerable situations include but are not limited to:

•  Closed doors meetings
•  Medical treatments
•  Travel to and from trainings, competitions, events, or activities
•  Any training or competitive environments without a second coach or responsible adult present (in the gym, in the weight room, etc.)
•  Electronic communications

“Open and Observable Environments” is VC’s version of rule of two. As in rule of two, this practice still involves making meaningful and concerted efforts to avoid situations where a person in authority (coach, official, staff member, IST member etc.) might be alone with an athlete and/or vulnerable individual.

The name refers to the fact that interactions between an individual and an individual who is in a position of trust/authority should be in an environment or space that is both “open” and “observable” to others.

For a full description with examples and frequently asked questions, please download the Open and Observable Spaces Guidelines.

•  NEW: Rule of 2 info-graphic

Mental Health for Sport

The Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport (CMHS) is a registered charity supporting the mental health and performance of competitive and high-performance athletes, coaches, and performing artists. The CCMHS is the first Centre in Canada to offer collaborative sport/performance-focused mental health care services designed to help athletes, coaches, and performing artists achieve their performance goals while preserving their mental health and well-being. The CCMHS provides mental health services to competitive and high-performance athletes and coaches, as well as competitive performing artists.  Here are the eligibility criteria:
•  Must be 16 years of age or older
•  Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
•  Must participate in a sport or performance domain at a competitive or high-performance level
•  Must be experiencing mental health challenges
Refer yourself or someone else to access sport/performance-focused mental health care from anywhere in Canada!