Sport and fitness should always be a safe, inclusive and welcoming space for anyone who participates. This means that sport organizations need to have strong policies and clear practices in place to ensure that all participants are treated equally, fairly and with dignity. My advocacy work in with local, provincial and national sport organizations, community groups and businesses is centred around the pillars of safe sport, good governance and inclusivity.
SAFE SPORT
The definition of safe sport is consistently evolving - until the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s unlikely that PPE would have been linked with this notion. At its most basic level, safe sport includes all aspects of sport that contribute to and affect physical and psychological safety. It includes being free from harassment, discrimination and abuse in all forms; having access to trained coaches, safe facilities and proper training equipment; and feeling welcome and supported in a place where you can be yourself.
As the President and Chair of the Board of Directors of a local not-for-profit sports organization, I’ve led the review of our safe sport policies and oversee the complaint investigation process. I engage in community discussions about the importance of safe sport and work to find solutions to overcome the challenges that small community organizations encounter when handling these complex, important matters.
I’ve been a panelist at events organized by Sport for Life / Physical Literacy for Life and the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada.
GOOD GOVERNANCE
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Sports organizations are about sport - but they still need strong policies and procedures as their foundation to succeed. Adapting business practices to the field of play ensures organizational continuity, program delivery, and fairness and accountability.
My advocacy work at the local, provincial and national level in the area of good governance centres around:
Conducting research on existing policies and procedures used by other similar organizations;
Reviewing existing policies and practices to identify and remedy gaps;
Developing and implementing a strategy to put new policies and practices in place; and
Communicating changes to participants in a transparent, accessible format.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
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Sport and fitness should be a space where all participants - regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, and athletic ability (to name but a few) - feel safe, included, and comfortable. Participants should be able to work, train, complete, volunteer, coach, cheer - and be themselves and have fun.
My advocacy work in this area centres around creating a positive sport environment, that celebrates individual achievements and team success, recognizes volunteer and staff contributions, and is built on a foundation that treats all participants with respect and dignity.
I also apply these principles to the classes I teach as a fitness instructor.