The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) has developed The Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM). It is a call to action for sport organizations, parents, and coaches to enact responsible coaching across Canada – on and off the field.

The RCM is a multi-phase movement that affects all sport organizations and coaches across Canada. It stems from extensive and ongoing consultation with the sport community in Canada that showed us some of the systemic issues in sport, the role various parties play, and strategies for addressing these issues.

The Coaching Association of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport support the Canadian sporting community in improving practices that ensure the health, safety and well-being of all participants.

There are three main steps that are the foundation to the Responsible Coach Movement. These steps will help participants and coaches benefit fully from sport participation in a safe, healthy, and fun environment. This methodology is a call to action for coaches and sports organizations to learn and apply consistent best practices in coaching.

1. Rule of Two
   • Ensures open and observable interactions to protect participant and coach alike.

2. Background Screening
   • Background screening ensures that coaches meet the important requirements to coach athletes. Screening tools include comprehensive job postings, criminal record checks, interviews, and reference checks. Coaches can complete their criminal record check screening with their local police department or with specific third-party companies as required  by their provincial organization or club.

3. Ethics Training
   • Prepares coaches to respond ethically and with confidence in challenging situations.

Field Hockey Ontario pledges to align our practices with Phase 1 of the Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM) and is committed to ensuring that our athletes and coaches are protected.

For more information on the RCM Pledge, click the links below!

Responsible coaching allows you to support your participants’ right to a safe, positive environment. Here are some ways to protect your athletes and yourself both on and off the field of play:

To help you on your RCM journey, the Coaching Association of Canada has developed a detailed implementation toolkit that includes resources, templates, and useful links. They will continue to update it regularly with new information and tools.