BC Safety In Sports
Pickleball BC Supports Safety in Sports Initiatives
viaSport statement on “Safety in Sport”
Safety in sport means environments on and off the field, locker rooms, offices, and boardrooms are all physically safe and accessible, while being psychologically and culturally safe and inclusive. Injury prevention and management, addressing maltreatment when it occurs, and creating positive culture are all important components of sport safety. We commit to leading a culture that prioritizes respectful sport experiences that are safe for everyone.
Pickleball BC Safety in Sport Policies
Pickleball BC is committed to creating cultures and environments that are safe, respectful, and inclusive for all Pickleball BC clubs, members, and partner activities. This means that we strive to make all environments used for pickleball physically safe, accessible, psychologically and culturally safe, and inclusive.
Maltreatment occurs when someone purposely does or says something that hurts another person, intentionally or unintentionally. It may also occur when someone does not do something on purpose when they are supposed to do it.
If you have witnessed or have been directly affected by maltreatment at a Pickleball BC event or activity, please use this link to report the incident. A Pickleball BC representative will be in contact.
Please note that if the incident occurred during a local club event or activity you should be working with your local club representative before contacting Pickleball BC.
Maltreatment includes:
- Physical maltreatment
- Contact: Hitting, pushing, etc.
- Non-contact: physically punishing exercises, providing drugs or alcohol to underage participants.
- Psychological maltreatment:
- Verbal
- Non-assaultive physical conduct
- Denial of support or attention
- Deliberate non-contact behaviours by a person in authority
- Neglect: not giving someone the care or support they need
- Sexual maltreatment: doing or saying something sexual that causes harm.
Pickleball BC safety in sport supporting policies
The following Pickleball BC policies (posted here) support the viaSport initiatives:
- Abuse Prevention Policy
- Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy
- Complaint Recognition and Resolution Policies
- Safety and Etiquette Policy
- Child Sexual Abuse and Inappropriate Conduct With Youth documents posted on the Pickleball BC website Policies and Plans page (under “Resources”)
viaSport and Province of BC safety in sport initiatives
The Province of British Columbia has invested $7.83 million over the next few years to support strategies to advance greater safety in sport in the amateur sport sector.
Regarding this investment, viaSport reported:
This investment enables viaSport to work with government and the designated sport sector to strengthen the sport culture so that all of the benefits of sport can truly be realized. To reach this goal, we will:
- Help individuals and organizations create positive environments and recognize maltreatment by building on the PlaySafe BC tools and resources; and
- Establish an independent solution to address complaints in sport in a professional and trauma-informed manner that avoids conflicts of interest.
These initiatives fit within viaSport’s four strategic pillars for safety in sport: Prevent, Report, Respond, and Uphold. Read more about viaSport’s position on Safety in Sport here.
About viaSport
Through collaboration, inclusion and accountability, viaSport leads the development and growth of amateur sport in BC. We help bring more families to the field, fans to the stands, athletes to the podium and sporting events to the province. Created as a legacy of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, viaSport British Columbia acts as the Province’s lead agency to steward the growth and development of amateur sport in BC.
