Wheelchair Sports Alberta believes that everyone in sport has the right to enjoy sport at whatever level or position they participate. Athletes, coaches, officials, classifiers, and volunteers have the right to participate in a safe and inclusive training and competitive environment that is free of abuse, harassment, or discrimination.
Wheelchair Sports Alberta believes the welfare of everyone involved in the sport is a foremost consideration and in particular, the protection of children/athletes in the sport is the responsibility of each individual and member in the wheelchair rugby community.
Wheelchair Sports Alberta is developing a Safe Sport framework that will put into place processes, procedures and policies to help create a safe environment for all participants.
WSA Resources
Screening Policy (TBA)
Discipline and Complaints Policy (TBA)
Abuse Policy (TBA)
The Canadian Sports Helpline
The Canadian Sport Helpline, funded by the Government of Canada, is a listening and referral service monitored by live operators from 8 am to 8 pm Eastern time, 7 days a week. Users will have a choice of communicating via a toll-free phone line, email, text or live chat, in the official language of their choice.
This professional listening and referral service is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, by phone or text at 1-888-83SPORT (77678), and by email at info@abuse-free-sport.ca.
The helpline will provide you with advice, guidance, and resources on how to proceed/intervene appropriately in the circumstances.
Courses
Respect in Sport
Respect Group’s passion is to create a global culture of Respect the prevention of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination (BAHD).
Making Headway
Concussions can happen to anyone taking part in sport and recreation, and can sometimes have serious consequences. Coaches at every level must be able to identify the signs and symptoms of a concussion and know what to do when they suspect a participant has suffered one.
Safe Sport Training
The Safe Sport Training module developed by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) will help anyone involved in sport identify and prevent situations of maltreatment.
Further Resources
Responsible Coaching Movement Checklist
Bell Let’s Talk Facilitator Guide
This guide is designed to help people start a conversation about mental health in their communities. The guide covers everything from facilitating a virtual conversation to identifying the next steps that participants may want to take in order to increase education and raise awareness about mental health where they live.
Canadian Centre for Child Protection
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is a national charity dedicated to the personal safety of all children, with the mission to reduce the incidence of missing and sexually exploited children
Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7, national support service. They offer professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French.
First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness
The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counseling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.
Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive.
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
A non-governmental organization to provide national leadership on substance use and to advance solutions to address alcohol- and other drug-related harms.
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP):
CASP’s ultimate purpose is to reduce the suicide rate and minimize the harmful consequences of suicidal behaviour. We continue to be a touchstone for everyday Canadians and members of the media who want resources, guidance and education.
Need Help Now
NeedHelpNow.ca helps teens stop the spread of sexual pictures or videos and provides support along the way
She Belongs: Building Social Connection for Lasting Participation in Sport
Practical recommendations to create social connection and better engage girls in the Learn to Train and Train to Train stages of the Long-Term Development in Sport and Physical Activity Framework (LTD)
Gender Equity Lens: Resources and Links
Resources and videos relating to gender equity such as intersectionality, unconscious bias, facts and stats, and more.
Gender Equity Lens Worksheet
Work through the Gender Equity LENS process using this worksheet. This includes prompting questions at each step, and a planning template for actions to advance gender equity in your day-to-day decisions.
Cybertip
Cybertip.ca’s mandate is to protect children from online sexual exploitation
Commit to Kids
Helping Organizations Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
Sexual Harassment in Sport and Recreation Fact Sheet
Ending Sexual Violence In Alberta Fact Sheet
Rule of Two
The goal of the Rule of Two is to ensure all interactions and communications are open, observable, and justifiable. Its purpose is to protect participants (especially minors) and coaches in potentially vulnerable situations by ensuring more than one adult is present.
