FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Kingsway Boxing Club Expands to New Location with Enhanced Facilities and Services
Toronto, ON — November 7, 2024 — After nearly two decades at its Jutland location, Kingsway Boxing Club is proud to announce its move to a new, improved facility just two blocks away at 265 Norseman Street in Toronto’s west end.
In addition to supporting a highly successful competitive team making waves on the national and international stage, this significant expansion marks an exciting milestone in Kingsway Boxing’s journey to enhance community engagement and provide top-tier training and wellness services to members.
The new facility, spanning over 7,000 square feet, will feature fully renovated spaces designed to elevate the training experience. With a cold plunge and sauna, dedicated training studios, cardio equipment, heavy bags, and a full-size Olympic boxing ring, Kingsway Boxing’s upgraded amenities set a new standard for boxing and fitness clubs in the area.
Construction is well underway, with a soft opening projected for mid-December. Members will soon have access to a range of new services and amenities. The team is also planning child care options and high-performance training services, supported by Kingsway Physio, which recently opened its doors at Kingsway Boxing’s High Performance Studios at 3046 Bloor Street West.
“Our new location allows us to continue our commitment to health and wellness, while expanding services to meet the evolving needs of our community, we’re excited to bring this enhanced experience to our members, from advanced fitness amenities to high-performance recovery and support.”
~ Jennifer Huggins | Kingsway Boxing Club Owner
Kingsway Boxing Club welcomes the community to explore the new space upon opening, with special memberships and open house events to come. The transition will be seamless for current members, with no planned closures to disrupt ongoing operations. Further details will be shared as construction progresses, and the team looks forward to welcoming both members and newcomers to the enhanced Kingsway Boxing experience.
For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Huggins Kingsway Boxing Club +1 (416) 234-0075 E. jennifer@kingswayboxingclub.com www.kingswayboxingclub.com
Kwasi Amoateng exhibits razor-sharp focus as he awaits the bell for the gold medal match at the Boxing Ontario Provincial Championships. [Photo Credit: Calvin Caron]
The 2024-2025 Provincial Championships have wrapped up, and Team Kingsway Boxing Club (KBC) delivered an impressive performance. All four athletes who represented Team KBC brought home medals.
Team KBC had an impressive showing at the 2024/25 Ontario Provincial Championships, with Saeed Haje-saeed, NoelFridmann, and KwasiAmoateng earning spots on Team Ontario and advancing to Nationals hosted in Sarnia, Ontario later this year. Saeed boxed smart in his final match, securing his second Provincial title. Noel narrowly lost in a split decision to the reigning National champ but will get another shot at Nationals. Kwasi fought tactically against a highly experienced opponent, finishing as the Provincial runner-up. Quentin Snowden, in his first Provincial and open-class bout, gained valuable experience, rounding out a strong performance from the team.
A special note of appreciation goes to Coach TJ Mosher, who dedicated his weekend to supporting the team alongside Head Coach Virgil Barrow. Thanks also to the Snowden’s, Fridmann’s and chaperones, who helped keep their sons and the team on track throughout the weekend, and to all KBC Coaches, who provides year-round support and travels with the team when their schedules permits. Their guidance, expertise, and unwavering support were invaluable in helping the team achieve success inside the ropes.
Medalists and Their Achievements
Quentin Snowden aka “Q” Brings Home Bronze
In his first Provincials and open-class bout, Q faced the reigning National champion. It was a close, back-and-forth battle in the center of the ring. Despite his opponent having 20 more bouts, Q held his own, fighting hard every minute and showcasing his talent at the Provincial level. Although the decision didn’t go his way, he’s just a combo or two away from victory. As Coach TJ said, “Q’s had an amazing year—Brampton Cup gold, Quebec 2024 open gold, and Provincial bronze.” Well done, Q!
Noel Fridmann Brings Home Silver
Noel has grown significantly both in and out of the ring, becoming a formidable presence in the gym—opponents need to be sharp when facing him. Despite not competing since Nationals in March, he showed no ring rust, battling the National champion to a split decision in the finals. Though the judges awarded the split to his opponent, Noel remains #2 in Ontario for the second consecutive year. Great job, Noel! He will have a chance to compete for the #1 spot in Canada at Nationals.
Kwasi Amoateng aka “The Prince of Darkness” Brings Home Silver
The “Prince of Darkness,” is coming off a gold medal win at the Quebec Open. With 10 bouts on his record, he entered the Provincial tournament, facing experienced opponents. He won his first match by a split decision against a strong competitor from a well-regarded gym. In his second bout, Kwasi stopped an opponent with 25 bouts in the second round, boosting his confidence. In the final match, he faced a challenging opponent with 50 bouts, battling hard throughout. Though the decision was close, Kwasi finished the tournament as #2 in Ontario, earning a spot on Team Ontario and the opportunity to compete for the #1 spot in Canada.
Saeed Haje-saeed Brings Home Gold!
Saeed received a bye into the semi-finals, where his skill set overwhelmed his opponent, earning multiple 8 counts before stopping him in the third round. His growth as a boxer was evident. In the finals, he faced a tricky southpaw with power, but Saeed fought intelligently, outboxing his opponent and securing a 5-0 victory. The judges unanimously agreed on the score, marking his second Provincial title. Next, he aims for the #1 spot in Canada!
Coach’s Reflections
“Our goal at Provincials was to compete at our best, gain valuable experience, and secure spots on the Ontario Provincial Team—and we achieved all of that! Every boxer stepped into the ring this past weekend, and we are proud of their efforts. Congratulations to all our fighters! A huge thank you to the parents and support team for their dedication—feeding, driving, and getting everyone to weigh-ins. The coaches are excited to get back to the gym and build on this momentum!”
Virgil Barrow | KBC Head Coach
With such an impressive performance at the Ontario Provincials, Team KBC is excited to continue their journey, training hard, and aiming for even greater achievements at the upcoming Canadian National Championships.
Thank you to our Official Strength & Conditioning Team
Special shoutout to Jose Lima for dedicating weekly sessions with our Competitive team, ensuring they’re strong both physically and mentally for the ring! A huge thank you to Paul McIntyre for your incredible support of Team KBC. Check Out Crossfit Colosseum
Ready To Join Team KBC?
Check out our top 3 options for newcomers, including:
Virgil, our Kingsway Boxing team, and I are excited as we welcome Fall! We have some exciting news on the horizon and can’t wait to share it with you soon. A big thank you to everyone who has already secured their spots in our Fall Programs—our Junior/Youth and High Performance programs are filling up fast!
We’re proud to announce partnerships with several top fitness and martial arts professionals. This impressive lineup includes Phaedra Kennedy, who will be launching our newest strength and mobility program geared toward runners, and my Sifu, the highly experienced martial artist Makoto Kabayama, who leads our exclusive seasonal self-defence workshops.
Please help us as we schedule new classes for the fall and winter. Virgil is launching a Friday 9:15 am boxing class, and Shireen is bringing back the 12:00 pm lunch classes on Fridays at our Bloor location. I’ll be starting Thursday Technical Classes at Jutland at 6:15 pm, and we’re also restarting our Junior (7+) Program every Tuesday at 5:15 pm. Additionally, we’re seeking feedback as we expand our services, so please take 5 minutes to fill out the form: COMPLETE KBC FEEDBACK FORM
Don’t forget to secure your tickets for this year’s Friday Night Fights The Old Mill on October 18th!
Drop-In Classes & Enrolments: Please Check Class Listing
Personal Training: Please confirm with your trainer
Regular schedule resumes on Tues. Oct 15, 2024
Fall is here, and we’re excited to introduce what’s new with Kingsway Boxing and our programs!
📲 KINGSWAY BOXING HAS A NEW APP!
As we expand our classes and services, we’re making it even easier for our community to book with us! You can now book classes, schedule private training, and purchase sessions directly through our app!
🥊 NEW CLASSES ADDED! Drop-In Classes are offered every day of the week at two locations. From Junior, Youth and Adult Boxing Classes to Yoga and Kickboxing for all levels, we’ve got it all!
All Kingsway Boxing classes are led by nationally-certified coaches from Boxing Ontario and Boxing Canada. Participants will learn the technical movements and mechanics of boxing while being physically challenged in a whole new way.
Welcome to our Olympic-Style boxing workshop! We are thrilled to offer an inclusive and accessible environment for people of all ages, genders, and fitness levels to learn, improve, and test their skills as boxers.
Introducing a self-defence program meticulously crafted for real-world scenarios. Seamlessly merging insightful discussions with hands-on practical skills, this approach fosters a holistic synergy of mental and physical readiness.
⚠️ Is a program you’re interested already in session? If there is still availability, ongoing programs can be prorated for enrolment!
TOTAL BODY CONDITIONING with Jo-Anne Sheffield
If you’re looking to improve your sport performance, increase your cardiovascular fitness, build muscle and tone your core, then this class is for you.
This class is developed for every age and fitness level and each class is varied so you won’t plateau or become bored with the workout.
START DATE: Program in session — Prorated options available.
Prepare to start your day off right by waking up the body and priming your mind to take on life’s challenges. This full body conditioning class will allow you to be more mobile, have more mental clarity and be stronger in your body.
STRONG: Mobility and Strength Program by Crystal Chen
This program is designed to empower you to lift heavier weights, enhance your overall strength for tasks like effortlessly lifting your children, conquer greater challenges in weightlifting, and boost your athleticism
This program is perfect for first time runners and those who are coming back to it. The program is designed to start slow, beginning with 1 minute walk and 1 minute run, then gradually increasing to running a full 5k distance.
Group runs 3 times per week include a pre-run warm up, post run stretching, and group discussions with local practitioners such as physiotherapists, chiropractors and nutritionist
Introducing Our Newest Program: The Resilient Runner By Phaedra Kennedy: A targeted 45-minute strength and conditioning program designed specifically for runners.
This program is ideal for runners looking to enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury through focused full-body strength training.
COMING SOON: NeuroStrong Boxing Program – Designed To Fight Back Against Neurological Disorders
The NeuroStrong Boxing Program is a specialized fitness initiative designed to help individuals combat the challenges of neurological conditions through the empowering discipline of boxing. This program is tailored to support those affected by various neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and others that impact the nervous system.
Introducing a 4 Week Special Package: LEVEL UP FIT AND WELLNESS PROGRAM with Coach Crystal~25% Off for a limited time
Unleash your potential for strength, mobility, and lasting wellness with our dynamic 4 week program. Tailored workouts and holistic strategies ensure personalized support for every step of your journey.
Led by Crystal, a veteran of the wellness industry with over 20 years of experience as a personal trainer, holistic coach, and trauma release expert, her program offers the expertise and guidance needed to break through fitness barriers and thrive.
Crystal’s expertise is in improving strength, mobility, while implementing holistic strategies and elevating your quality of movement to enhance the quality of your life.
📲 Access All Scheduling & Registration Through Our Mindbody App
We’re accessible through MINDBODY App. Download: Apple or Android
✅ Drop-In Classes Offered Daily :
You can now join us every day for drop-in classes including; Boxing, Kickboxing, Strength/Conditioning, even Yoga! Book Now | View All Schedules
✅ Fall Seasonal Enrolment Is OPEN!
See below for a full listing of our High Performance programming brought to you by the top fitness/combat professionals in our country! From Self-Defence workshops to yoga, we’ve got it all!More Info/View Seasonal Programs
✅ Free Open Gym Access Now Available:
Active members and fight team are now able to access our Open Gym times. This time is meant for boxers to practice their skills and train independently to ensure progress, especially for those heading back into Competition! Book Now/View Schedules
📰 KBC NEWS & UPDATES!
Presenting Friday Night Fights ‘To End Cancer’: A New Chapter in the Fight To End Cancer
Save The Date: Friday Night Fights ‘To End Cancer’ October 18, 2024 At The Old Mill Toronto
After more than a decade of hosting the highly anticipated Fight To End Cancer black-tie gala—an event that has garnered global support and raised nearly 3 million dollars for The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre—we’re excited to introduce a new event that promises to expand our reach and elevate our impact.
The spotlight which was once exclusive to corporate fighters will now shine on our amateur boxing community through our latest fight series initiative. Each boxer on the “Friday Night Fights” card will not only help raise crucial funds for and awareness of an important cause, but also showcase the captivating sport of boxing in a fresh and meaningful way.
Team Kingsway Boxing Packs a Punch and Brings Home Gold at the Quebec Open!
The Quebec Open proved to be another impactful tournament for Team KBC, with seven registered athletes bringing home a total of six medals. The team’s impressive haul included two golds, two silvers, and two bronzes, showcasing their dedication and skill. This remarkable achievement highlights the hard work and commitment of each member, as they faced tough competition and rose to the occasion with determination and resilience.
Kingsway Boxing Club has entered the list of Responsible Coaching Movement Champions Recognized By The Coaching Association Of Canada.
At Kingsway Boxing Club, we are committed to maintaining the standards of ethics, safety and respect in the sport of Boxing, for all our athletes and coaches. 💪
At Kingsway Boxing the safety of our community is our number one priority.
We kindly urge all attendees to be mindful of their health before participating in any classes or training sessions.
Our staff trainers and coaches remain dedicated to upholding strict protocols ensuring the safety and well-being of our Kingsway family. Thorough cleaning and sanitation take place between clients and classes to maintain a clean and hygienic environment.
We are committed to hosting an environment that empowers everyone to excel and accomplish their goals in a healthy and positive setting.
Ascension is a short film focused on International Boxing Offical, Gym Owner and Fight To End Cancer Founder, Jennifer Huggins. The feature takes a look how her gym and community engagement has had an impact that goes far beyond the sport of boxing.
ACT 1: THE SWEET SCIENCE: A look into boxing for what it truly is. A sport. An art form and the sweet science.
ACT 2: THE STORY OF KINGSWAY BOXING: The formation and rise of Kingsway Boxing and Jennifer Huggins.
ACT 3: THE FIGHT TO END CANCER: The inspiration and creation behind the life-changing “Fight to End Cancer” charity.
ACT 4: THE COMMUNITY: A look into the community that Kingsway and Jen have built and inspired.
ACT 5: THE FUTURE: After accomplishing so much already, what’s next for Jen and Kingsway?
“The eight of us were tasked with doing a final culminating project for school. However, once we began production on this documentary, it became apparent that we wanted to do something more than just a school project. We wanted to make something that would resonate with the audience and tell the amazing story of Kingsway Boxing and Jen Huggins.”
~ Pound 4 Pound Team
Pound 4 Pound Production Team (Jennifer Huggins: Centre)
About Pound 4 Pound Production
Over the last three months, the group that makes up Pound For Pound Productions has worked tirelessly on this documentary. There were many long nights and early mornings. However, their hard work was rewarded with a meaningful and passionate final product. The team put their heart and soul into creating this documentary, as this story deserved to be told. Pound 4 Pound Production comprises eight fourth-year RTA Sport Media students who were asked to participate in a university practicum project to demonstrate the skills they have learned in their three years. The crew consisted of David D’Amico, Frankie Iantorno, Cristian Sturino, Andriejus Simkus-Sukauskas, Marc Vicioso, Mitchell Cairns, Ben Botelho and Nicolas Ambrosio.
The production team decided that a documentary would best fit for presenting the skills they had learned. From there, they decided to use boxing as the highlight of the documentary, as it is a sport that displays the skill, dedication and competitiveness of its fighters. At the same time, it had also become increasingly popular. One of the group members, Mitchell Cairns, who had been part of the Kingsway Boxing Club for four years, spoke about how incredible the gym and community were at KBC. From there, after interviewing Jennifer Huggins, the team decided to centre the documentary around Jennifer and how her boxing gym and community have had an impact on her that goes beyond the sport. However, once they began production on this documentary, it became apparent that they wanted to do something more than just a school project. They wanted to make something that would resonate with the audience and tell the incredible story of Kingsway Boxing and Jennifer Huggins.
Check out our top 3 options for newcomers, including:
Kingsway Boxing Club has entered the list of Responsible Coaching Movement Champions Recognized By The Coaching Association Of Canada.
At Kingsway Boxing Club, we are committed to maintaining the standards of ethics, safety and respect in the sport of Boxing, for all our athletes and coaches. 💪
By adhering to the Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM), we pledge to work hard everyday to ensure that the Boxing culture at our gym is safe and aligns with the ethics’ model.
To guide sport organizations with resources to embedding safe sport practices, the Coaching Association of Canada has developed a RCM Checklist that includes resources, templates and useful links.
OUR PLEDGE…
🥊 Kingsway Boxing Club believes in providing everyone with equal opportunity, no matter the fitness level, background, age or size.
🥊 We will work to maintain the high standard of safety and ethics across all of our programs and ensure that the Boxing culture here is as welcoming and safe as possible!
🥊 We will encourage open dialogue between our athletes, coaches and community to ensure we are always improving building stronger and safer interactions.
👊 👊 Engaging In The Rule of Two
The goal of the Rule of Two is to ensure all interactions and communications are open, observable and justifiable. Its purpose is to protect participants (especially minors) and coaches in potentially vulnerable situations by ensuring more than one adult is present. There may be exceptions for emergency situations.
Good implementation practices
Never allow the coach to be alone and out of sight with a participant without another screened coach or screened adult (parent or volunteer) present
Allow training environment to be open to observation
When a participant rides in a coach’s vehicle, ensure that another adult is present
Consider the gender of the participant(s) when selecting the screened coaches and volunteers who are present
Eliminate one-to-one electronic messaging, and ensure that all communications are sent to the group or include parents
The Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) is a cornerstone in ensuring all stakeholders commit to safety in sport. The universal code of conduct applies to all participants, administrators, athletes, coaches and officials who work within the national sports system in Canada. The universal code of conduct is meant to achieve a safe and welcoming environment for all participants.
Failure To Report
You have a duty to report that is mandated by law. (Requirements vary depending on provincial or territorial legislation.) An adult participant who fails to report actual or suspected maltreatment or neglect of any kind involving a minor participant will be subject to disciplinary action under the UCCMS.
Child Protection Legislation
If there is an instance of child abuse and neglect, who is responsible for reporting this? Much like creating a safe sport environment, we all have a responsibility to report these instances. In fact, everyone has a legal duty to report these types of acts under Canadian child welfare laws. Adults are obliged to report child maltreatment if there is knowledge or suspicion that it is occurring. This is called the duty to report.
Step 1
If you know of or suspect a child is being abused or neglected, you have a legal obligation to report it.
Step 2
Write down what you have seen, heard or been told and by whom. Record your observations and any actions you took.
Step 3
Act quickly. (Do not wait for days or weeks.) You must report this maltreatment to:
Local police
Local child welfare services (e.g., Children’s Aid Society or child and family service agencies)
You can submit an online report of maltreatment to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection as well
However, even if you make a report to it, you must also contact local authorities
Provincial or territorial social service ministries or departments
The Canadian Sport Help Line is available to provide you with advice, guidance and resources on how to proceed/intervene appropriately in the circumstances.
If you have concerns about a child, or if you are a victim (survivor) or a family member of a victim, you may contact the Canadian Centre for Child Protection for information or support.
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-688-6868
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 national service offering professional counselling, information, referrals and volunteer-led text-based support for young people. Kids Help Phone’s free, anonymous services are available in both English and French.
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness: 1-855-242-3310 or hopeforwellness.ca/
A helpline dedicated to supporting First Nations and Inuit Peoples. Service is available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut, English and French.
Welcome to the Fall Edition of Our RCM Champion Newsletter! Explore two new coaching resources and register for the November webinar Dear Sport administrators and Coaches, As the leaves change and we embrace the cooler weather, we’re excited to bring you the latest updates and resources to support your coaching journey. This season, we’re thrilled to introduce two brand-new resources as well as the next RCM Webinar designed to enhance your coaching experience and help you achieve even greater success with your teams.
Introducing the Quality Coaching ToolkitWe are excited to unveil the Quality Coaching Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to enhance coaching practices and foster positive sport environments. This toolkit provides evidence-based strategies to promote safe, inclusive, and supportive coaching, ensuring athletes’ holistic development and well-being. Dive into practical tips, reflection activities, and innovative methods to elevate your coaching and create a positive thriving sport experience for all participants. Four interacting attributes of a positive sport environment were discussed by the 24 coaches and athletes who were interviewed in the research study.
The research provides evidence that athletes can succeed in positive sport environments. This is important because it refutes beliefs that coaches need to use abusive tactics like yelling, belittling, and command and control methods. One of the most remarkable findings from this research was that the participants’ definition of success extended beyond medal performance.
Our goal is to work with others throughout the Canadian sport system to ensure that every participant – no matter the sport, the level, or the role – has a safe, positive and enriching experience. Changing the culture of sport in Canada is everyone’s responsibility. Abuse-Free Sport provides access to a wide range of resources, all of it available in English and French.
This interactive webinar will provide an overview of safe sport and share actions that can be implemented in all sport organizations including community sport. In addition, we will discuss and share strategies and tools for change-makers to champion these within their sport organizations.
Presenters: Liddia Touch Kol, Resource Centre Manager Owen Bravo, Education and Policy Support Coordinator
Next Webinars: February 2025: Inclusion in sport March 2025: Background Screening – highlighting new information and resources The True Sport ExperienceThe True Sport Experience is a three-volume resource for educators of children and youth from age 6 to young adolescence that consists of a series of physical activities that facilitate learning the True Sport Principles. Whether you’re a teacher, coach or recreational leader, The True Sport Experience offers a balanced and intentional approach to the development of both ethical and physical literacy.
The True Sport Experience comes in three volumes:Volume 1 aligns with children in the FUNdamentals stage (aged 6-9).Volume 2 aligns with the Learn to Train stage (aged 8 or 9 to the onset of adolescence).Volume 3 aligns with the Train to Train stage (young adolescence).These resources provide:An understanding of the True Sport Principles and how to teach them through quality physical activity experiences,A summary of physical literacy, ethical literacy, and Long-Term Development in Sport and Physical Activity with explicit connections made to each within the activities, andA series of physical activities that facilitate learning the True Sport Principles while supporting children’s physical and ethical literacy development within the FUNdamentals, Learn to Train, and Train to Train stages of long-term development.How to use this resource:Choose one of the three volumes based on the age and stage of those you coach.Read through the opening section of the document to gain an understanding of True Sport and the objectives of the resource.Select an activity from the list of activities (up to five activities per True Sport Principle), read through the ready-to-go lesson plan, and implement it in your next practice!We hope that the Quality Coaching Toolkit, the November RCM Webinar, and The True Sport Experience will be game-changers for our coaching community and provide a range of insights and support.Thank you for your continued dedication and passion. Together, let’s make this fall season one of growth and achievement. Warm regards, Frances Priest fpriest@coach.ca Manager, Sport Safety Coaching Association of Canada
Access Previous Newsletters and Webinar Recordings
Discover and access previous newsletters and webinar recordings exclusive to RCM Champions. Click here to accessTrue Sport is an approach to values-based sport that is underpinned by seven principles. When “Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Keep It Fun, Stay Healthy, Include Everyone, and Give Back” are intentionally and consistently activated on and off the field of play, it creates positive sport experiences and leads to a culture of good sport. Foster a values-based approach to sport by activating the True Sport Principles. NEXT ISSUE: January 2024 As a Responsible Coaching Movement Champion we ask that you:
Be proud and announce yourself as an RCM Champion to your members. Use the RCM logo(s) and assets. Click here to download RCM logos. Adding the logo to the footer of your site depends on how your site is built. Learn how here.Use the Hashtags #ResponsibleCoaching #RCM #MER #EntraînementResponsable.Reach out any time with questions to sportsafety@coach.ca.
Jan 13, 2024
PAUSE and REFLECTION
As we think back to the conversations and events we have participated in this fall, we recognize it is ever important to take time to pause and reflect on a few key issues facing the sport environment. Safe sport continues to be one of the most prevalent issues in Canadian sport. The absence of harm in the sport experience is not good enough. A values-based approach will help foster a sport culture that leaves far less room for harm and provides a greater chance for sport to deliver on its potential.
Take time to read and reflect on the following definitions as you consider the role you can play in changing the culture of sport and bringing values to the forefront.
Safe Sport: A set of policies, procedures, training, and practices that are implemented by the organization to prevent maltreatment and protect its members. Safe Sport involves the reasonable expectation that the sport environment will be free from all forms of maltreatment (i.e., abuse, neglect, bullying, harassment, and discrimination) and that it will be accessible, safe, welcoming, and inclusive.
Sport Safety: The ability to understand the factors that contribute to physical and mental health and well-being as well as physical and psychological safety including, but not limited to, environments that promote safety through education and prevention and are free of abuse, harassment, discrimination, and neglect. Sport Safety incorporates a culture of empathy, inclusion, belonging, and excellence, and one that coaches and officials strive to implement within their training and competition environments.
Values-Based Sport: Sport that places values at the heart of all policies, practices, and programs to ensure that positive experiences foster a culture of good sport in the long term.
True Sport: An initiative of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport that promotes an approach to values-based sport that is underpinned by seven principles. When “Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Keep It Fun, Stay Healthy, Include Everyone, and Give Back” are intentionally and consistently activated in sport environments, it creates positive sport experiences and leads to a good sport culture.
Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM): A call to action for sport organizations and coaches to maximize the positive benefits of sport through values-based coaching. The RCM is a Canada-wide initiative that is the result of ongoing consultations with the Canadian sport community developed in partnership by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and the Coaching Association of Canada. It includes three distinct pillars and values, each serving to create a sport environment that is Safe, Smart, and Secure.
Figure 14.4 A Socio-Ecological Model to Inform Safe Sport Learn more here: The Coaching Association of Canada’s Journey Towards Safer Sport Changing culture takes intentional work. It’s the day-to-day, consistent, and continual commitment by all members to implement the Responsible Coaching Movement and activate the True Sport Principles that will create the culture we seek.
What role can you play to bring values to the forefront as we work to change the culture of sport?
According to the basic tenets of the socio-ecological model to inform safe sport (figure below), everyone has a role to play in the movement. This model demonstrates the overlapping influence that numerous people and organizations have over safe sport outcomes. For example, Register-Mihalik et. al. argue that this model offers different avenues for understanding the interplay between levels of society and sport, which can be used to provide education aimed at preventing sport-related concussions. If we use this same model to identify the risk factors in broader safe sport issues, we can target better methods for other community members, such as the sport organizers and government legislators, to impact the implementation of safe sport in the years to come.
In Canada, a fundamental change in culture is required across the sport system to minimize the threats to sport and ensure a safe sport experience for all. True Sport is an approach to values-based sport that is underpinned by seven principles: Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Keep It Fun, Stay Healthy, Include Everyone and Give Back. A good sport experience, one that reflects the True Sport approach, can instill character in our children, strengthen the communities where it is played, and increase opportunities for personal and podium excellence. Good sport doesn’t happen by chance, it takes intentionality. Groups such as Sport Nova Scotia, Gymnastics Canada, BC Artistic Swimming and Field Hockey Canada are actioning True Sport as a holistic, preventative, and positive approach in their safe sport strategies. They also understand that the absence of harm isn’t good enough; learn more about their journeys to deliver the kind of sport Canadians want.
In addition to providing athletes with sport-specific skills, coaches are also in a unique and privileged position of power. The Responsible Coaching Movement aims to protect athletes and coaches from unethical and illegal behaviour through the implementation of measures such as: the Rule of Two and background screening and ethics training. The RCM recognizes the impact that coaching can have on athletes which is why the RCM seeks to have coaches consider how they coach, not just what they coach. Through this initiative, the difference between a safe sport environment and one that elicits positive growth and personal development can be achieved. Following the introduction of the rule of two, background screening and ethics training, the next phase of the RCM focuses on identifying and addressing negative coaching behaviours, while moving toward positive coaching behaviours that can play sports a more welcoming and inclusive environment.
True Sport is an approach to values-based sport that is underpinned by seven principles. When “Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Keep It Fun, Stay Healthy, Include Everyone, and Give Back” are intentionally and consistently activated on and off the field of play, it creates positive sport experiences and leads to a culture of good sport.
Don’t miss the RCM next webinar March 22, 7-8:30 PM EST REGISTER HERE
Here is what we will cover:
Defining Rule of Two.
Example of how clubs implement.
Discussion, Question and Answer.
Participants will be entered in an attendance Draw for FREE Training access and customized RCM tuque with your club logo.
Responsible Coaching Movement Webinars recordingavailable here:
January 23, 2023 “RCM Champion: Let’s talk Ethics Training”
November 23, 2022 “RCM Champion: Now What?”
June 22, 2022 “Best Practices on Background Screening”
December 6, 2022
Hi everyone,
This is a reminder that the CAC will be hosting Sport Safety related webinars designed for Master Coach Developers. Here are the topics for the webinar series:
1) December 8 – 6:30pm EST (Use of gender-neutral language and gender pronouns) Click here to register. 2) January 12 – 6:30pm EST (Sport safety is not just a safe sport) Click here to register. 3) Feb. 2 – 6:30pm EST (Land Acknowledgements yes/no why/ when and how to make them meaningful) Click here to register. 4) Feb. 23 – 6:30pm EST (Accessibility considerations for event planning (physical, learning, cognitive) Click here to register 5) Mar. 8 – 6:30pm EST (TBD)
For more information about any of the sessions mentioned above please click here.
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