Safe Sport can be understood as: physical and emotional safety, which includes concussion and injury prevention, and environments free from bullying, abuse, harassment, discrimination, and other forms of maltreatment. You cannot have a safe sport without equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
We all deserve to participate in sport environments that are accessible, safe, and free from all forms of Maltreatment by others. To each this goal, sport organizations must ensure safe sport environments and every participant plays a role.
Our Commitment to Safe Sport
Bowls Alberta places the highest priority on a safe and fun environment for all of its participants, and we recognize our fundamental obligation and responsibility to protect the health, safety and physical and mental well-being of every individual that is involved in the Alberta Bowls community.
Bowls Alberta takes situations involving misconduct or maltreatment very seriously. For this reason, are committed to enacting and enforcing strong, clear, and effective policies and processes for preventing and addressing all forms of misconduct or maltreatment.
Safe Sport Strategy
Bowls Alberta’s policies, framed on the ones from Bowls Canada Boulingrin, are intended to promote a Safe Sport environment that allows for consistent, immediate, appropriate and meaningful action should any issues arise. They are also intended to prevent issues from arising in the first place by communicating expected standards of behaviour.
Bowls Alberta also recognizes the recent development of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (“UCCMS”). Based on the Universal Code and Bowls Canada Boulingrin’s Code of Conducts Bowls Alberta developed Codes of Conduct for Board members, Coaches, Officials, and Athletes. These are included in our Safe Sport Policy Suite. The Board of Directors has also adopted the Safe Sport Strategy from BCB which requires all Board Members, Coaches, Officials and Athletes representing AB to take Safe Sport Training. Contact the office for the links to the appropriate training required.
Consistent Policies
You can access our Safe Sport Policies here.
- Sets the rules around behaviours that all participants must follow
- Defines key terms and behaviours
Intentional Engagement
Safe Sport Engagement at Bowls Alberta is a two-way conversation between Bowls Alberta, Member Club and Associated Members. We have the intention to regularly engage with participants, coaches, athletes and officials. Your lived experience on the ground tells us whether our policies, training and other initiatives are working.
- Safe Sport Assessment Survey – To assess the status of Safe Sport in Bowls Alberta member clubs. To learn how best to support all member clubs to address their current Safe Sport needs.
Safe Sport Huddle Meetings- Schedule meetings and speakers within different settings with the goal of educating board members, club Safe Sport Officers, and the club’s various divisions of membership; the commitment to shift our sport culture and break down attitudes and stereotypes and to transform how we treat others will be intentionally reviewed in each setting and huddles.
Enhanced Resources
There are many safe sport resources that are available to advance knowledge and awareness.
BCB Safe Sport Tips
Responsible Coaching Movement
The Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM) is a call to action for sport organization, parents, and coaches to enact responsible coaching across Canada- on and off the field of play.
The Board of Directors of Bowls Alberta have signed the Responsible Coaching Movement Pledge and encourages member clubs to sign as well. For more information visit Coach.Ca
Reporting Maltreatment
To report a complaint/s regarding a violation of Bowls Alberta’s Code of Conduct please contact: SSO@bowlsalberta.com
Complaints/disputes ideally should be handled by the individuals involved first and Bowls Alberta could appoint a mediator if required.
If you feel uncomfortable reporting directly to Bowls Alberta, please contact the:
Canadian Sport Helpline (call or text) 1-888-837-7678
Email: info@abuse-free-sport.ca…for professional listening and referral services by phone and text and by email at from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, seven days a week.
The Canadian Sport Helpline will provide callers with advice on the next steps they can take, as well as direct them to the most appropriate national and local services and resources available to them, including the police, child protection services, existing provincial/territorial helplines, or any other relevant services.
For more information, visit www.abuse-free-sport.ca.
