Safe Sport

BC Athletics Safe Sport

Canadian Sport Helpline | Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport

BC Athletics Safe Sport Statement

BC Athletics through Individual Members, Member Clubs, Parents/Guardians, Supporters, Board of Directors and Staff believes that all participants involved in Athletics (Track & Field, Road & Cross Country Running; Marathons/Ultras, Race Walking, Trail/Mountain Running) at whatever level and in whatever role have the right to take part in a safe and secure environment.

Whether Training, Competing, Officiating, Coaching, Administrating or Supporting - individuals must feel that they can do so free from abuse, harassment, discrimination or fear of reprisal.

BC Athletics, Athletics Canada, viaSport British Columbia and the Governments of British Columbia and Canada have Laws, Rules, Policies, Processes and Resources in place to help guide clubs and individuals to insuring a positive and safe environment for all involved.

BC Athletics accepts all language contained in the British Columbia Universal Code of Conduct (BC UCC).

BC Athletics supports, aligns and incorporates the Athletics Canada: Safe Sport Policies inclusive of: Code of Conduct;  Athletics Canada Safe Sport Policies of Promotion, Prevention and Response

BC Athletics is committed to a Safe Sport Environment and working with you to make your experience in Athletics a positive one.

Please find below information and links for:

  • Resources
  • Policies and Rules
  • Processes
  • Contacts
  • Education and Training

 

SafeSport Resources & Information

  1. Parents
  2. Sport Organizations
  3. Coaches

Canadian Sport Helpline | Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport

Printable Version (PDF)

BC Athletics Policies & Resources

  • BC Athletics - Policies, Constitution, By-laws, Rules, Operating Procedures​
  1. BC Athletics Policies on Equity - Access - Fair - Play
  2. BC Athletics Policy on Drugs in Sport
  3. BC Athletics Spectator Code of Conduct
  4. Constitution and By-laws - updated and approved August 2021
  5. Operating Policies, Procedures, Rules, Regulations
  6. BC Athletics Appeals/Dispute Process
  7. BC Athletics Privacy Policy (all sections)
  8. BC Athletics Privacy Statement and Personal Information Protection: Summary
  9. BC Athletics Website and Publications Policy
  10. BC Athletics Risk Management Policy and Criminal Records Check Requirements
  11. BC Athletics Codes of Conduct
  12. Officials Code of Conduct
  13. BC Athletics Policy on Harassment (abridged)
  14. BC Athletics Policy on Harassment (complete)
  15. Criminal Records Check (CRC) BC Athletics requires that a CRC be done every 5 years for all Coaches, Officials, Club and Provincial Association Directors and BC Athletics staff. Note: Members requiring a CRC must have it completed within 2 months of initiating the CRC.
  • Process
  1. BC Athletics Discipline: Complaints, Hearing and Appeals Process
  • BC Athletics Contacts are:
  1. BC Athletics Office – bcathletics@bcathletics.org / 604-333-3550
  2. BC Athletics Chair, Board of Directors – chair@bcathletics.org
  3. BC Athletics CEO – megann.vandervliet@bcathletics.org / 604-333-3555
  4. BC Athletics Athlete Directors
    1. Rebecca Dutchak – rebecca.dutchak@bcathletics.org
    2. TBA
    3. TBA

BC Athletics Policies - Safe Sport Training Requirements for Coaches, Officials, Associates and Athlete Members

  1. BC Athletics Policy Updates – Safe Sport Training
    1. At the January 21st BC Athletics Board of Directors meeting the following motions were passed and become BC Athletics Rules as per the date of implementation:
      1. That BC Athletics implement, beginning with the 2024 BC Athletics Membership year (as of Sept 1, 2023), mandatory Safe Sport Training for all BC Athletics:
        1. Coach Members
        2. Official Members
        3. Associate Members (Club, BC Athletics Brd/Exc.)
          1. Policy passed by the BC Athletics BoD

Resources for Safe Sport Training & Information:

  1. Coaching Association of Canada – Safe Sport
  2. Athletics Canada Safe Sport Information and Resources for Coaches/Leaders, Parents, Officials, Athletes and Girls through:
    1. Respect in Sport
    2. CAC Safe Sport Training
    3. Commit to Kids Training
      1. See – Athletics Canada Safe Sport Prevention
  3. Safe Sport Training for Athlete Members 16 & Older
    1. That BC Athletics implement, once finalized, Safe Sport Training/Education for all BC Athletics Athlete Members for ages U16 & Older.
      1. Policy passed by the BC Athletics BoD.
  4. Criminal Records Check: for U19 Coaches & Officials:
    1. That Criminal Records Checks are recommended but optional for all BC Athletics Coach and Official Members under the age of 19.
      1. Policy passed by the BC Athletics BoD

Athletics Canada

  1. Athletics Canada Rules and Bylaws – See Governance
  2. Contact the Commissioner’s Office – See Athletics Canada Safe Sport
  3. Athletics Canada Code of Conduct – See Safe Sport​

Presentations, Education, & Training

Please contact BC Athletics to discuss options and resources for presentations on Safe Sport. We can work with the Club(s) and connect you to the appropriate agencies who are trained to deliver/present information and training on Safe Sport.

Contact: BC Athletics: brian.mccalder@bcathletics.org / 604-333-3552

Online Webinars

  • Safe Sport Training (from Coaching Association of Canada - Free)
    • ​The Safe Sport Training module developed by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) will help anyone involved in sport identify and prevent situations of maltreatment.

 

 

 

 

  

  

 

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)

What Is Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)? It is a syndrome that can affect all athletes, of any age and any gender, especially those in "lean" sports such as Track & Field.

Why is RED-S harmful?  It impairs health and is associated with higher injury and illness risks. It reduces quality training time and performance.

What Causes Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)? RED-S is caused by low energy availability, which results from an imbalance in the energy the athlete gains from food relative to the energy the athlete expends.

When Can it Occur? Low energy availability can happen in or out of season.

Possible Health Consequences

  • Decreased bone health
  • Iron Deficiency
  • Increased Illness Risk
  • Increased Injury Risk
  • Depression

Possilble Performance Oucomes

  • Decreased Muscular Strength
  • Decreaseed Endurance 
  • Decreased Concentration 
  • Decreased Coordination
  • Impaired Judgement

Behavioural Signs & Symtoms:

  • Dieting that is unnecessary for health or sport performance 
  • Exercising while injured despite recommendations to modify activity
  • Self criticism concerning body weight, size/shape, and performance
  • Excessive, compulsive or rigid exercise routine beyond that recommended for training or performance 

Physical Signs & Symptoms: 

  • Recurrent injuries (i.e., stress fractures, muscle strains)
  • Unusually prolonged recovery from minor injuries
  • Recurrent acute injuries
  • Persistent fatigue or complaints of being overly tired
  • Irregular menstruation in females, late first period or stalled puberty

What You Can Do:

EDUCATE: Help prevent incidences of RED-S in athletes by informing them of the risks to performance and health posed by low energy availability. Familiarize yourself with resources in your community.

OBSERVE: Monitor the athlete for the signs listed below. Note any changes in athletes’ habits, attitudes or performances in practices or competition.

COMMUNICATE: If you observe signs of RED-S in an athlete, encourage them to seek medical attention from their family physician or a sports-medicine physician. Note that it is not your role to diagnose RED-S in athletes.

SUPPORT: Recovery from RED-S will likely involve long-term behavioural changes on the part of the athlete. It is important that athletes adhere to the recovery program prescribed by their healthcare team. Support the athlete by ensuring they are following the return to sport plan.

 

More Information / Resources

The SportMed Directory of Practitioners

Identifies sport medicine and sport science practitioners who have achieved additional qualifications in sports medicine as outlined by their respective professional colleges or associations and are dedicated.

Find a Sport Medicine Physician

Through the Canadian Association of Sport & Exercise Medicine (CASEM) locate a Sport Medicine Physcian in your local community. 

 

RED-S Awareness Pamphlet (Downloadable PDF)

 

Event: Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport (RED-S): How it can impact all sports and all athletes

Overview:

WHAT IS RED-S?

In 2014, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) convened a group of experts to address and update the topic of the female athlete triad (Triad). A critical review of the evolution of the body of science that has been published since the origin of the Triad in 1972 found that the syndrome is much broader than originally thought. In response to this discovery, the IOC introduced a broader, more comprehensive term known as ‘Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport’ or RED-S.

Watch Online Recording

 

Webinar: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport: Performance and Health Implications in Track & Field

Overview:

Join Dr. Sara Forsyth and Braeden Charlton as they dive into the topic of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). During this 60 minute webinar they will answer:

  • What Is Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)? 
  • Why is RED-S harmful?  
  • What Causes Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)? 
  • When Can it Occur? 

Presenters: 

Dr. Sara Forsyth

Dr. Sara Forsyth is a local sports medicine physician with strong interests in female athlete health, RED-S, endocrinology, and bone health, as well as endurance performance optimization. Dr. Forsyth attended UBC for both her undergraduate studies and her medical studies, where she completed her residency in family practice and fellowship in sport and exercise medicine under Dr. Jack Taunton. Dr. Forsyth has worked with athletes of all ages and abilities including those at provincial and national levels, as well as those competing on varsity teams. 

Braeden Charlton

Braeden is a recent graduate from Simon Fraser University, earning his Bachelor of Science Honour’s in Biomedical Physiology. While at Simon Fraser, Braeden competed on the varsity track and cross country teams, specializing in the steeplechase. Braeden also spent time alongside his studies and training coaching junior development athletes with the Vancouver Thunderbirds. After completing his course work, Braeden worked alongside Dr. Sara Forsyth and Dr. David Clarke on a project regarding the relative knowledge of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport in coaching.

WATCH ONLINE RECORDING HERE 

PRESENTATION SLIDES