Established by the Coaching Association of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, the RCM invites all coaches and sport organizations to learn and apply consistent safety principles. It includes three distinct pillars, each serving to create a sport environment that is Safe, Smart, and Secure.
Each pillar of the Responsible Coaching Movement provides crucial elements, resources and processes to follow for sport to be Safe, Smart and Secure for all.
A safe sport environment ensures all coaches, staff, and administrators apply the Rule of Two. When following the Rule of Two, all interactions and communications with participants are in open, observable, and justifiable settings, and two responsible adults — whether a coach, parent, staff or screened volunteer — are present. There may be exceptions in emergency situations. Check with your sport organization as to how the Rule of Two is enforced.
A secure sport environment is one where all coaches and sport organization leaders are screened to meet requirements to be involved in sport. Screening includes comprehensive background and reference checks, interviews, plus police information checks, to be done at regular intervals.
A smart sport environment ensures coaches are trained and have the confidence and skills needed to effectively manage challenging situations. Lifelong learning through numerous training modules helps coaches expand their knowledge and awareness of important topics throughout their career.
The following action items protect participants and coaches while fostering a positive sport culture:
True Sport is an approach to values-based sport that is underpinned by seven principles. When “Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Keep It Fun, Stay Healthy, Include Everyone, and Give Back” are intentionally and consistently activated on and off the field of play, it creates positive sport experiences and leads to a culture of good sport.
Positive experiences in sport help to instil character in participants, strengthen communities and increase opportunities for excellence. To learn more about how you can activate True Sport review the True Sport Member infographics.
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about the Responsible Coaching Movement.
The RCM entails three pillars (Rule of Two, Background Screening and Ethics Training) that are each designed to help ensure a sports environment that can remain safe and fun for everyone. Creating a culture in sport that is truly safe, smart and secure is a team effort, and that is why we are counting on your support to help raise awareness about this important movement.
The Rule of Two is a leading practice to ensure a safe sport environment for all. The goal of the Rule of Two is to ensure all interactions and communications are open, observable, and justifiable, and when two responsible adults (a coach, parent, or screened volunteer) are present with a participant. There may be exceptions in emergency situations. Check with your sport organization as to how the Rule of Two is enforced.
A secure sport environment is one where all coaches and sport organization leaders are screened to meet requirements to be involved in sport. Screening includes comprehensive background and reference checks, interviews, plus police information checks, to be done at regular intervals.
A smart sport environment ensures coaches are trained and have the confidence and skills needed to effectively manage challenging situations. Lifelong learning through numerous training modules helps coaches expand their knowledge and awareness of important topics throughout their career.
All sports organizations should take the RCM pledge and commit to a culture in sport that is safe, smart and secure. Coaches, participants and parents can also help to support the movement by encouraging a sport organization to take the pledge if they have yet to do so.
Your organization’s name will appear in the RCM Champions map. You will also receive an email encouraging you with some additional support material to continue enacting the RCM policies that are designed to keep sport safe, smart and secure.
There is an online map on the CAC website indicating the numerous organizations across Canada who have so far taken the RCM pledge. Make sure you are one of them!
Yes, please replace the RCM logo with the new one that is now available via the marketing toolkit on all material at your convenience. You can also add the digital badge to your website using the code provided to promote that you are supporting the RCM movement.
In the RCM marketing toolkit we have included graphics for social media posts, infographic content, a promotional video, banner stand, postcards and posters.
Yes, the French Marketing Toolkit for the RCM is available on the corresponding French section of the website: www.coach.ca/MER.
Visit www.coach.ca/RCM where you can also access a short informational video about the movement and what it entails.
The national paid campaign will run from late February until at least the end of March 2022, but the need to raise awareness and promote the RCM will continue well after the campaign has ceased.
Please contact the CAC’s Sport Safety Team at sportsafety@coach.ca if you have further questions about the RCM.
We have launched a national Responsible Coaching Movement campaign aimed at encouraging sport organizations across the country to take the RCM pledge.
Creating a culture in sport that is truly safe, smart and secure for everyone is a team effort, and that is why we hope you will join us in raising awareness about this impactful campaign.