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.”