As part of the
Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM), APRA has implemented
THE RULE OF TWO policy for
ALL BENCH STAFF of U19 and younger teams.
Definition:
The Rule of Two states that there will always be two screened and NCCP trained or certified coaches with an athlete, especially a minor athlete, when in a potentially vulnerable situation. This means that any one-on-one interaction between a coach and an athlete must take place within earshot and view of the second coach, with the exception of medical emergencies. One of the coaches must also be of the same gender as the athlete. Should there be a circumstance where a second screened and NCCP trained or certified coach is not available, a screened volunteer, parent, or adult can be recruited.
This rule serves to protect minor athletes in potentially vulnerable situations by ensuring that more than one adult is present.
Vulnerable situations can include closed doors meetings, travel, and training environments amongst others. Organizations must create and implement, policies and procedures, in a sustainable, phased and measurable process, that limit the instances where these situations are possible.
CLICK HERE to read the September 2018 notice from the Ontario Ringette Association.
Additional information on the
Rule of Two is available from the
Sport Information Resource Centre
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The
Rule of Two is part of a broader strategy called the
Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM) and is a multi-phase system-wide movement, coordinated by the Coaching Association of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. The 3 primary tenants are:
- The Rule of 2
- Background Screening
- Ethics Training
Ringette Canada has pledged to follow and support the RCM, and Ajax Pickering Ringette aligns with this vision. APRA requires all bench staff to undergo a Police Record Check (Vulnerable Sector Screening), and Ringette Canada mandates that all coaches complete the Make Ethical Decisions course and evaluation. By introducing The Rule of Two, APRA now aligns with the 3 main areas of the RCM.