Duty of Care

Ever ask the question: What are my responsibilities to the children I coach? Or, where does my responsibility start and end? We are offering an evening of information for coaches and volunteers that will answer these and other questions.

What – Duty of Care for Coaches and Volunteers in Sport

When – THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

Time – Two sessions will be held at 2:00pm until 3:30pm and 6:30pm until 8:00pm. Please indicate below which session you will attend.

Where – Sport Manitoba Sport for Life Centre Theater

Cost – No fee all sport organizations and coaches are encouraged to attend

Duty of Care
Coaching and volunteering in sport has always been a complex fusion of responsible teaching, modelling, encouraging and creative thinking. Increased, and necessary focus on Coaches and Volunteers obligation to ensure that sport is a safe and respectful environment have added another element to that list. The “Duty of Care’ refers to the responsibility that coaches and volunteers have to be mindful of and attentive to the potential for abuse, harassment, bullying and hazing with regards to the young athletes in their care. This session will discuss what exactly is meant by your “Duty of Care” and will provide coaches and volunteers with a straightforward framework for ensuring that they are doing their very best in this regard.

Session speaker – Bruce Wood
Bruce Wood, M.A., D.A.A. is the Project Coordinator for the RespectED Support Line Project of the Canadian Red Cross. The Support Line provides services to adults (coaches, parents and Boards) affiliated with Sport Manitoba, Sask Sport, SPRA, SaskCulture, Cross Country Ski Canada and the Government of Yukon Sport and Recreation. The focus of the Support line is on enhancing the safety of play and competition for children and youth through guidance, risk management practice, education and intervention on abuse, harassment, bullying and hazing. The Support line has been in existence since 2002 and has assisted with over 700 specific complaints in that time.
Bruce is the author of several published books on identifying and preventing violence and aggression, works extensively with First Nations groups across Canada and provides consultation services to Justice Canada on male violence in the family. He is also a father, partner, a member of the Bad Golfers Association and coaches youth basketball.

To register please contact Gena Cook at 204-925-5692 or send an email to gena.cook@sportmanitoba.ca