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Policies
Safe Sport Framework
Ontario Cycling has developed a Safe Sport Framework based on policy, education, and community programming to further strengthen the administration and delivery of our programs, events, and services.
Safe Sport Policy
Ontario Cycling has adopted several policies that establish expected behavior, guide decision-making, and promote accountabilities for all individuals who are associated with Ontario Cycling.
These policies include:
- Code of Conduct & Ethics
- Safe Sport Policy
- Discipline & Complaints Policy
- Person in Authority Guidelines
- Athlete Protection Guidelines
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Policy
- Screening Policy
- Appeals Policy
- OC Social Media Policy
Additional Resources
For more information on Ontario Cycling Safe Sport Policy Suite, please contact us at [email protected] .
Education
Ontario Cycling is asking all individuals involved with the sport across Ontario to take the free virtual safe sport training module available via the Coaching Association of Canada website. This module is mandatory for all who wish to become coaches or trainers with Ontario Cycling, and we strongly recommend that all Club & Team Administrators and Ride Leaders, also take the module.
As of April 1, 2020, anyone associated with a Sport Canada-funded organization (Cycling Canada is a Sport Canada funded organization), must be trained on conduct to prevent and address maltreatment. This includes coaches, officials, parents of youth athletes, high performance staff and contractors; and all administrative staff and volunteers whether they may have direct contact with athletes or not.
The safe sport module is a free, 90-minute eLearning module that gives all participants the tools to recognize, address, and prevent maltreatment in sport. The module aligns with the principles of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport and meets Sport Canada requirements for Safe Sport education.
Visit the safe sport training site for more information.
To take the training, you must create an account in “The Locker”, even if you are not a coach (it’s free!) We suggest saving a screenshot of the final slide when completed for your records.
Other online resources that can be completed from home include the following (please note fees may be required).
NCCP Multi-Sport Training Modules
For more information on coaching resources, please contact Ontario Cycling at [email protected]
Online Safety & Digital Wellness
The internet and social media are part of everyday life for young athletes, and with that comes real risks. Ontario Cycling is committed to helping parents, coaches, and youth recognize and respond to online harm, including cyberbullying, sexual harassment, the non-consensual sharing of images, and AI-generated content used to exploit or humiliate.
Ontario Cycling has partnered with resources from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P), Canada’s leading charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety and protection of children.
Report It
Canada’s national tip line for reporting online child sexual abuse and exploitation, including concerns about shared intimate images and online luring.
Learn & Prevent
C3P’s program that helps sport organizations, coaches, and volunteers understand child sexual abuse, recognize grooming behaviours, and build a safer environment for young athletes. Includes specific resources tailored to sport.
What to Watch For
- A young person becoming secretive about their phone or online activity
- Receiving gifts, money, or attention from unknown online contacts
- Withdrawal from friends, family, or sport
- Distress after using a device or social media
- Discovering sexually explicit content on a young person’s device
Concussions
Ontario Cycling is committed to the long-term health of our athletes and by working closely with the Ministry of Sport in Ontario in the application of Rowans Law we can ensure that current and relevant health information is available to our members.
ROWAN’s LAW
Rowan’s Law legislation was passed by the Ontario Government in 2018. This legislation is named in memory of Rowan Stringer who died in 2013 of Second Impact Syndrome – the result of suffering multiple concussions playing rugby three times in six days. The legislation is designed to create a safer environment for competitive amateur athletes, children, and youth to play sport.
Knowing how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion, and what to do if a concussion happens – whether you’re an athlete, a student, a parent, a coach, a team trainer, an official or an educator– saves lives.
Ontario Cycling is committed to being a leader in the support, and implementation of Rowan’s Law. Ontario Cycling, and by association all our Member Clubs, Organizers and registrants are legally bound by the requirements of the Law.
For more information on concussion prevention, identification, management and treatment, we invite you to visit the Ministry of Ontario Concussion Safety webpage.
Policies & Procedures
