Canada Soccer has completed the Coaching Association of
\u200bCanada’s Responsible Coaching Movement Pledge to ensure coaches at all levels
\u200bof the game adhere to its principles. The pledge was previously introduced in
\u200bthe Canada Soccer Safe Sport Roster that was unanimously adopted its Member
\u200bAssociations at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Members in Quebec City, QC.
The pledge adds to the range of initiatives Canada Soccer
\u200bhas developed to ensure that all its participants can enjoy a Safe Sport
\u200benvironment. They include a Whistleblower hotline as well as a detailed Code of
\u200bConduct and Ethics and Disciplinary Code that were both published in 2017.
“Canada Soccer is committed to provide a safe, accessible,
\u200binclusive and developmentally-appropriate soccer experience for all who
\u200bparticipate in the beautiful game in Canada,” said Peter Montopoli, Canada
\u200bSoccer’s General Secretary. “As we approach Coaches Week that will celebrate
\u200bthe important role of the coach in sport, Canada Soccer is proud to commit to
\u200bthe Responsible Coaching Movement formally, in support of our Safe Sport Roster
\u200bto ensure the safety of players from coast-to-coast-to-coast.”
An important component of the adoption of the Canada Soccer
\u200bSafe Sport Roster was the establishment of minimum Canada Soccer coaching
\u200bcertification requirements for coaches at all levels of the game in Canada. The
\u200bResponsible Coaching Movement Pledge guarantees that organizations ensure that
\u200bcoaches adhere to the Rule of Two, commit to ensuring coaches have had
\u200bBackground Screening, and make mandatory that coaches have completed Ethics
\u200bTraining including the NCCP Make Ethical Decisions and relevant Respect in
\u200bSport training.
“Canada Soccer’s leadership in building a safe and
\u200brespectful sport environment continues to have the intended positive impact
\u200bthroughout the country,” said Lorraine Lafrenière, CEO of the Coaching
\u200bAssociation of Canada (CAC). “By signing the Responsible Coaching Movement
\u200bpledge, the organization and its leaders are adding an additional declaration
\u200bto prioritize youth and coach safety. Canada Soccer’s membership
\u200bconstitutes a significant portion of the more than 700 organizations throughout
\u200bthe country to have signed the pledge to meet uniform standards of the Rule of
\u200bTwo, training and screening requirements.”