COMMITMENT TO SAFE SPORT

Overview

Offering a safe environment to all our athletes and to all the various individuals who contribute to the Sport of water polo - whether they are coaches, officials, volunteers, staff, parents or only fans/spectators - is an absolute priority for Water Polo Canada. There are several components to consider in order to make this a reality, and this is what this SAFE SPORT section is all about.

As stated in our Code of Conduct:

All Registrants are responsible for maintaining and enhancing the dignity and self-esteem of Registrants and other individuals by:

• Demonstrating respect to individuals regardless of body type, physical characteristics, athletic ability, age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status, socioeconomic status, gender identity, gender expression, sex, and sexual orientation
• Focusing comments or criticism appropriately and avoiding public criticism of athletes, coaches, officials, organizers, volunteers, employees, or Registrants
• Consistently demonstrating a spirit of sportsmanship, sport leadership, and ethical conduct
• Acting, when appropriate, to correct or prevent unjustly discriminatory practices
• Consistently treating individuals fairly and reasonably
• Ensuring adherence to the rules of Water Polo and the spirit of those rules

Safe Sport includes other components such as Insurance, Anti-Doping Program, and appropriate Concussion Protocol, and you will also find in this section the relevant information on these different elements. 

The objective of the Water Polo Canada Learn to Play Safe brand is to allow WPC's Members and Registrants to easily find and recognize safe sport related elements and pertinent safe sport information under one umbrella. 

Why Learn to Play Safe? 

The Learn to element explains the notion that in order to ensure WPC stakeholders are provided with a safe environment that encourages their development, being aware of and understanding the concept of safe sport is imperative. When individuals educate themselves and others using tools such as resources, discussions and learning modules they are being proactive and intentional about safety in sport. This knowledge can be be relied on to assess factors influencing an individual’s feeling of security within their sport, as well as nuturing and maintaining safe sport environments.

The Play Safe element explains the notion that in order for all WPC Registrants to have positive experiences and the opportunity to thrive within the sport of water polo, their safety must be a top priority. To ensure that this notion comes to fruition, WPC’s stakeholders must first acquire the knowledge to foster a safe sport environment, then implement what has been learned. 

Hence, Learn to Play Safe!