The West Carleton Soccer Club will use information from Canada Soccer’s Guite to Safety to form the policy regarding ‘The Rule of Two’. It is important for the Club to follow the leadership of the National Governing Body to ensure that the policy is up to their standards.
As stated in the Guide to Safety - The Coaching Association of Canada’s Rule of Two states that there will always be two screened and NCCP-trained or certified coaches with an athlete in situations where the athlete is potentially vulnerable. One–on–one interaction between a coach and an athlete, without another individual present, must be avoided in all circumstances except medical emergencies.
A ‘Person in Authority’ is defined as an NCCP-trained or certified coach, a screened volunteer, or other adults. The organization is meeting the Gold Standard for the Rule of Two if the Person in Authority is always an NCCP-trained or certified coach.
Travel
A Person in Authority may not be alone in a car with an athlete unless the Person in Authority is the athlete’s parent or guardian. A Person in Authority may not share a room or be alone in a hotel room with an athlete unless the Person in Authority is the athlete’s parent or guardian. Room or bed checks during overnight stays must be done by two Persons in Authority.
Travel
A Person in Authority may not be alone in a car with an athlete unless the Person in Authority is the athlete’s parent or guardian. A Person in Authority may not share a room or be alone in a hotel room with an athlete unless the Person in Authority is the athlete’s parent or guardian. Room or bed checks during overnight stays must be done by two Persons in Authority.
Locker Room / Changing Area / Meeting Room
Interactions between a Person in Authority and an individual athlete should not occur in any room where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy such as the locker room, meeting room, washroom,
or changing area. A second Person in Authority should be present for all necessary interactions in any such room. If Persons in Authority are not present in the locker room or changing area, or if they are not permitted to be present, they should still be available outside the locker room or changing area and be able to enter the room or area if
required.
Training / Competition Environment
A Person in Authority should never be alone with an athlete prior to or following a game or practice unless the Person in Authority is the athlete’s parent or guardian. If the athlete is the first athlete to arrive, the athlete’s parent should remain until another athlete or Person in Authority arrives. Similarly, if an athlete would potentially be alone with a Person in Authority following a game or practice, the Person in Authority should ask another Person in Authority (or a parent or guardian of another athlete) to stay until all the athletes have been picked up. If an adult is not available then another athlete should be present in order to avoid the Person in Authority being alone with a single athlete. Persons in Authority giving instructions, demonstrating skills, or facilitating drills or lessons to an individual athlete should always be doing so within earshot and eyesight of another Person in Authority.
Gender Identity
For teams consisting of athletes of just one gender identity, a Person in Authority of the same gender identity should be available to participate or attend every interaction. For teams consisting of athletes of more than one gender identity (e.g., co-ed teams), a Person in Authority of each gender identity should be available to participate or attend every interaction.Information for this policy has been adapted from the ‘Canada Soccer – Guide to Safety’
