Safe Sport Implementation Strategy

Background

In the wake of the #MeToo movement and following a number of allegations and convictions in the sport community, Minister of Sport Kirsty Duncan called upon the Canadian sport community to take action immediately. As she stated, “The safety and security of athletes, coaches and officials is our top priority. We must all play a role in protecting our young people and our athletes.

In an effort to elevate sport and support the Minister and the FPT Ministers’ Red Deer Declaration, there have been several frameworks and concepts that have emerged to help structure sport to be more inclusive, welcoming and safe for all. In the meantime, organizations at all levels are struggling with where to start and how to put safe sport to action. Organizations are looking for support to implement safe sport and want to do it strategically using a process that is practical and reasonable.

What is SLSG’s Safe Sport Implementation Strategy?

SLSG’s Safe Sport Implementation Strategy (SSIS) allows any organization to establish a reasonable and practical roadmap to create a safe and thriving sport environment. It is an opportunity for an organization to establish its commitment to safe sport and be accountable to its values and its participants. This is done through the collaborative creation of a holistic strategy involving a 4-step process:  Analysis, Development, Implementation and Measurement.

How does SLSG’s Safe Sport Implementation Strategy Work?

There are 4 steps to the process as outlined below. The process can be entered by an organization at any step depending on its objectives and desired goals:

• Analysis
• Development
• Implementation
• Measurement

1. Analysis

This step sets the foundation of the methodology to be used by identifying the safe sport needs and goals of the organization. As part of the process, current safe sport practices within an organization are reviewed to identify strengths and gaps. This includes conducting the SLSG ‘Reality Check’  which will establish a baseline of evidence that will be used to compare behavioural change in Step 4 (Measurement).

2. Development

SLSG works in collaboration with the organization and its stakeholders to establish a practical SSIS using findings from Step 1 (Analysis), best practices, and a safe sport framework menu. Once the direction and priorities have been set, SLSG identifies the necessary policies (Safe Sport Policy Suite), systems (SSIS Framework including recommended training, resources) and processes (SSIS Guide) to be developed in order to implement priorities.

3. Implementation

This step focuses on the customized implementation of the organization’s SSIS to ensure everyone is set up for success. This includes consultations with the organization and support based on their comfort level with their SSIS Guide.

4. Measurement

This step provides the evidence that your SSIS is working. Comparing baseline evidence from Step 1 (Analysis) to evidence gathered in this step will provide the accountability to the strategy and metrics for continuous improvement. This step includes engaging a sampling of stakeholders to measure the effectiveness of your SSIS and a Report of Findings for continuous improvement.

Benefits of SLSG’s Safe Sport Implementation Strategy

Organization – Aspiration 
• Simple and easy road map for a values-based approach to safe and thriving sport
• Evidence for organizations to help realistically and effectively ensure safe sport is understood and implemented on the field of play
• Proactive rather than reactive measures for organizations to mitigate risk and provide participants with knowledge and support for their safe sport experience
• Collaborative and transparent implementation process for each organization and its stakeholders to deliver an accountable safe sport experience
• Updated criteria to align with each organization’s values and safe sport goals
• Peace of mind and validation that an organization is creating safe and thriving sport environments for its participants

SLSG – Solution
• 4-step Safe Sport Implementation Strategy that analyzes, develops and implements a custom system that results in measurement and continuous improvement
• Baseline analysis to identify gaps in stakeholders’ current safe sport system (policies, training, processes, engagement etc)
• Direct engagement with participants through surveys/interviews about their emotional/physical safety while participating in sport
• Development and implementation of a collaborative, evidence-based system designed to meet each organization’s goals in ensuring safe sport
• Evaluation model to provide minimum criteria for organizations to measure safe sport
• A customized Safe Sport Implementation Strategy established by organizations that can be shared with stakeholders

Outcomes and Impact

• A customized, collaborative implementation strategy to achieve safe and thriving sport
• Evidence that athlete safety is a top priority
• Enhanced evidence-based criteria for funding models

Next Steps

1. Download the SLSG Safe Sport Implementation Strategy One Pager to share with others in your organization.
2. Request a Safe Sport Implementation Strategy Workshop and/or Webinar through hello@sportlaw.ca
3. Contact LJ Bartle LJB@sportlaw.ca and/or Tia Wintre TEW@sportlaw.ca