Wheelchair Sports Alberta - Safe Sport Policy Development and Implementation
Wheelchair Sports Alberta (WSA) undertook the development and implementation of Safe Sport policies with a unique challenge: being governed by two national sport organizations and overseeing high-performance programs for two additional sports where they are not the recognized Provincial Sport Organization (PSO). The project aimed to create comprehensive policies meeting the needs of all four sports, aligning with governance requirements from the governing bodies.
Key Initiatives:
- Policy Development:
- Collaborated with Sport Law to create robust Safe Sport policies tailored to the specific needs of WSA and its diverse sporting portfolio.
- Addressed governance requirements set by two national sport organizations while ensuring policies met the unique challenges of wheelchair sports.
- Concussion Education Material:
- Partnered with CSI Calgary to develop concussion education material.
- Involved WSA coaches and athletes in the filming process to create a video addressing para concussion experiences, providing a unique perspective.
- Rolling Out Safe Sport Policies:
- Entered the final stages of policy implementation, including education sessions with the board, staff, and coaches.
- Planned social media and website communication strategies for effectively disseminating policies to the membership.
Challenges and Achievements:
- Complex Governance Structure:
- Faced challenges due to being governed by two national sport organizations, requiring policies to meet the governance requirements of both entities.
- Overcame complexities with collaboration and support from Sport Law, ensuring the policies met the diverse needs of wheelchair sports.
- Concussion Education Video:
- Unexpectedly developed a concussion education video during the project.
- Engaged athletes and coaches in creating the video, emphasizing para concussion experiences and diversifying storytelling within the wheelchair sports community.
- Educational Sessions and Accountability:
- Conducted education sessions for the board, staff, and coaches to ensure a clear understanding of the new policies.
- Established the capability to hold individuals accountable for their actions through the implementation of policies, contributing to a safer sport community.
Future Impact:
- Sustainable Policies:
- Made strategic decisions to ensure the longevity of policies by linking to the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) for ongoing updates.
- Planned annual policy reviews to incorporate any necessary updates and ensure continued relevance.
- Education and Communication:
- Focused on short-term goals of educating and communicating policies to the membership.
- Developed plans for annual policy reviews, guaranteeing that the policies remain updated and aligned with evolving standards.
Wheelchair Sports Alberta has successfully navigated the complex task of developing and implementing Safe Sport policies tailored to its unique governance structure. The project's outcomes include not only comprehensive policies but also valuable concussion education material and enhanced accountability measures, contributing to the creation of a safer and more informed sport community in Alberta.