Coach/Athlete Code of Conduct

Catalyst Sport Sciences Inc.

Coach/Athlete Code of Conduct Policy

Effective Date: July 12, 2024 Last Reviewed: July 12, 2024

  1. Introduction and Philosophy

Catalyst Sport Sciences Inc. (“Catalyst”) is unequivocally committed to providing a sporting environment that is safe, positive, and free from all forms of maltreatment. We believe in fostering the holistic development of our athletes, guided by the principles of integrity, respect, and excellence. This Coach/Athlete Code of Conduct (the “Code”) is a foundational document that articulates the standards of behaviour and ethical conduct required of all participants. Its purpose is to protect all individuals, promote their well-being, and ensure a predictable and respectful environment. This Code is not exhaustive but serves as a guide for conduct and decision-making.

  1. Scope and Application

This Code applies to all individuals associated with Catalyst, including but not limited to:

  • Full-time, part-time, and contract coaches
  • Volunteer coaches and guest coaches
  • All athletes in any Catalyst program
  • Support personnel, including trainers, therapists, and team managers

This Code governs conduct during all Catalyst-sanctioned activities, including training, competitions, travel, online communications, and any other event or activity related to Catalyst. Conduct outside of these activities that has the potential to bring Catalyst into disrepute may also be subject to this Code.

  1. Definitions

To ensure clarity, the following definitions apply within this Code:

  • Maltreatment: Volitional acts that result in harm or the potential for physical or psychological harm. Maltreatment includes sexual, psychological, and physical abuse, as well as neglect, harassment, bullying, and discrimination.
  • Harassment: Unwelcome conduct that is offensive, humiliating, or intimidating to any individual. It may be related to any of the prohibited grounds of discrimination identified in the Ontario Human Rights Code. Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
  • Bullying: Repeated and targeted behaviour intended to cause harm, fear, or distress, or a single severe incident. This includes verbal, social, or physical acts.
  • Rule of Two: A best practice whereby a coach is never alone with a single athlete, especially a minor, in a potentially vulnerable situation. A second screened and certified coach, parent, or adult must be present.
  • Third-Party: An independent individual or body designated by Catalyst to receive and manage complaints under this Code to ensure impartiality.
  1. Core Principles

All participants are expected to embody and promote the following principles:

  • Respect: Treat all persons with dignity and fairness, regardless of their age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, sex, or sexual orientation.
  • Integrity: Act with honesty, professionalism, and unwavering ethical standards.
  • Safety: Prioritize the physical, psychological, and emotional safety and well-being of all participants above all else.
  • Sportsmanship: Compete and train in a spirit of fair play, honesty, and respect for the rules, officials, opponents, and teammates.
  1. Responsibilities for Coaches

Coaches hold a position of trust and authority and are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct. In addition to the Core Principles, coaches must:

  • Act as a Positive Role Model: Consistently demonstrate respect, sportsmanship, and integrity.
  • Maintain Professional Boundaries:
    • Strictly avoid any intimate or romantic relationship with an athlete.
    • Adhere to the Rule of Two in all one-on-one interactions where possible. For unavoidable private meetings, ensure they are brief, occur in an open and observable area, and are reported to another coach or administrator.
    • Avoid non-essential physical contact. The nature of coaching may require some physical contact for correction or demonstration; however, this must be appropriate, consented to, and solely for the purpose of skill development.
  • Communicate Responsibly:
    • All electronic communication with athletes (especially minors) must be professional and limited to logistical or training-related matters. Group chats are preferred over individual messaging. Parents/guardians should be included in communications with minor athletes where appropriate.
    • Do not engage with athletes on personal social media channels. Maintain a professional account for sport-related communication.
  • Provide a Safe Environment:
    • Be knowledgeable of and enforce all safety protocols, including concussion management as per Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety). Any athlete suspected of having a concussion must be immediately removed from play and not permitted to return until medically cleared.
    • Ensure all training is suitable for the age, ability, and development level of the athletes.
    • Report any concerns about athlete safety or well-being to the designated Third-Party or appropriate authorities.
  • Uphold Anti-Doping Rules: Strictly adhere to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) and educate athletes on the importance of clean sport.
  1. Responsibilities for Athletes

Athletes are ambassadors for Catalyst and are expected to:

  • Demonstrate Respect: Respect coaches, teammates, officials, and opponents. Bullying, taunting, or any form of intimidation will not be tolerated.
  • Commit to Participation: Attend all scheduled sessions on time and prepared to give their best effort. Notify the coach in advance if unable to attend.
  • Adhere to Rules: Know and abide by the rules of the sport and the spirit of those rules.
  • Maintain Health and Safety:
    • Refrain from using any prohibited substances as defined by the CADP.
    • Honestly report any injuries or medical conditions to coaches.
    • Report any concerns about their safety or the safety of others to a coach or the designated Third-Party.
  • Conduct on Social Media: Understand that they represent Catalyst online. Any post that is discriminatory, harassing, or threatening towards others, or that negatively impacts the reputation of Catalyst, is a breach of this Code.
  1. Prohibited Conduct

The following conduct is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action. This list is not exhaustive.

  • Any form of Maltreatment, including physical, sexual, or psychological abuse.
  • Harassment, including written or verbal abuse, threats, or unwanted remarks.
  • Discrimination on any grounds prohibited by the Ontario Human Rights Code.
  • Bullying, hazing, or any other form of intimidation.
  • Physical or verbal assault.
  • The use, possession, or distribution of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, or illegal drugs during any Catalyst activity.
  • Engaging in a criminal act or any violation of applicable laws.
  • Circulating malicious gossip or rumours whether in person or online.
  • Offering or accepting gifts or benefits that could be seen as an attempt to influence decision-making or create a conflict of interest.
  1. Reporting and Disciplinary Procedure

Catalyst is committed to a fair, transparent, and timely process for addressing all alleged breaches of this Code.

  1. Reporting:
  1. Any individual who witnesses or experiences a breach of this Code is strongly encouraged to report it.
  2. To ensure impartiality and confidentiality, all non-trivial complaints should be directed to a designated independent Third-Party Complaint Officer. The name and contact information for this officer will be made readily available to all participants.
  3. In an emergency situation involving immediate danger, individuals should contact law enforcement (911) first.
  4. All reports will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, subject to any legal reporting obligations (e.g., duty to report a child in need of protection).
  1. Investigation:
  1. Upon receiving a complaint, the Third-Party Officer will conduct a preliminary review to determine if the complaint falls within the scope of this Code.
  2. If it does, a formal investigation will be initiated. The complainant and the respondent will both be notified and given an opportunity to provide their account of the events, along with any evidence or witnesses.
  3. The investigation will be conducted in a timely, fair, and impartial manner.
  1. Disciplinary Action:
  1. Following the investigation, the Third-Party Officer will provide a report and recommendation to a Disciplinary Committee within Catalyst.
  2. The Committee will review the findings and determine, on a balance of probabilities, whether a breach of the Code occurred.
  3. If a breach is found, the Committee may impose sanctions, which may include, but are not limited to:
    • Verbal or written warning
    • Requirement for apology and/or educational programs
    • Suspension from training or competition
    • Probationary period
    • Termination of membership or employment with Catalyst
    • Any combination of the above
  1. Appeals:
  • Both the complainant and the respondent will have the right to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Committee within a specified timeframe. The grounds for appeal and the appeal process will be outlined in a separate Disciplinary Policy document.
  1. Confidentiality and Privacy

Catalyst will manage all personal information collected under this Code in accordance with applicable privacy legislation, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Information will only be used for the purposes of investigating and resolving complaints.

  1. Policy Review

This Code of Conduct shall be reviewed annually by Catalyst management and Legal Counsel to ensure it remains current, effective, and compliant with all relevant legislation and best practices.

  1. Acknowledgment and Agreement

All coaches, athletes, and their parents/guardians (where the athlete is a minor) are required to read, understand, and agree to abide by this Coach/Athlete Code of Conduct Policy as a condition of their participation in any and all Catalyst programs.

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and consent to be bound by the terms of this Code. I understand that any failure to adhere to this Code may result in disciplinary action as outlined herein. I also consent to the collection and use of my personal information for the purposes of administering this Code.

Name: __________________________________

Signature: ____________________________

Date: ___________________________________

(If athlete is a minor)

Parent/Guardian Name: _________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________