Canada Soccer signs Responsible Coaching Movement Pledge as part of its Safe Sport Roster

Canada Soccer has completed the Coaching Association of
​Canada’s Responsible Coaching Movement Pledge to ensure coaches at all levels
​of the game adhere to its principles. The pledge was previously introduced in
​the Canada Soccer Safe Sport Roster that was unanimously adopted its Member
​Associations at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Members in Quebec City, QC.

The pledge adds to the range of initiatives Canada Soccer
​has developed to ensure that all its participants can enjoy a Safe Sport
​environment. They include a Whistleblower hotline as well as a detailed Code of
​Conduct and Ethics and Disciplinary Code that were both published in 2017.

“Canada Soccer is committed to provide a safe, accessible,
​inclusive and developmentally-appropriate soccer experience for all who
​participate in the beautiful game in Canada,” said Peter Montopoli, Canada
​Soccer’s General Secretary. “As we approach Coaches Week that will celebrate
​the important role of the coach in sport, Canada Soccer is proud to commit to
​the Responsible Coaching Movement formally, in support of our Safe Sport Roster
​to ensure the safety of players from coast-to-coast-to-coast.”

An important component of the adoption of the Canada Soccer
​Safe Sport Roster was the establishment of minimum Canada Soccer coaching
​certification requirements for coaches at all levels of the game in Canada. The
​Responsible Coaching Movement Pledge guarantees that organizations ensure that
​coaches adhere to the Rule of Two, commit to ensuring coaches have had
​Background Screening, and make mandatory that coaches have completed Ethics
​Training including the NCCP Make Ethical Decisions and relevant Respect in
​Sport training.

“Canada Soccer’s leadership in building a safe and
​respectful sport environment continues to have the intended positive impact
​throughout the country,” said Lorraine Lafrenière, CEO of the Coaching
​Association of Canada (CAC). ​ “By signing the Responsible Coaching Movement
​pledge, the organization and its leaders are adding an additional declaration
​to prioritize youth and coach safety. ​ Canada Soccer’s membership
​constitutes a significant portion of the more than 700 organizations throughout
​the country to have signed the pledge to meet uniform standards of the Rule of
​Two, training and screening requirements.”