TPFSC Complaints and Bullying Policy
The coaching staff and Board of Directors of Trinity Placentia Figure Skating Club are committed to providing a safe, enjoyable environment for all skaters, parents and volunteers. As such, we recognize that conflict is an inevitable part of running a skating club and we are open and willing to address concerns of coaches, skaters, parents and volunteers and attempt as much as possible to find solutions when they are presented in a respectful manner. As per Skate Canada’s position statement on Harassment and Bullying: “Skate Canada strongly condemns bullying, will not tolerate bullying by any of its members and is committed to raising awareness of this issue and preventing and eliminating bullying behavior within Skate Canada. Skate Canada recognizes that bullying can have a serious adverse impact on personal dignity, self-esteem, confidence, personal safety, performance, enjoyment of skating and of life itself”. Therefore, we will not consider any complaint of a disrespectful of harassing nature that is received, and your concerns will NOT be addressed.
Skate Canada defines Bullying as: “is intended to hurt and humiliate the victim and may include:
* Insulting or derogatory remarks or gestures
* Rude or vulgar language or gestures
* Shouting, yelling, swearing, name-calling
* Persistent unwarranted criticism
* Public ridicule
* Verbal, written or physical threats and intimidation
* Hitting, kicking, pushing or other types of forceful physical contact
Bullying may occur in-person or through electronic means including e-mail, texting and social media”.
The Board of Directors will meet on a monthly basis and will take any parent concerns seriously and attempt to find a solution that is mutually acceptable by all parties. Parents who have a complaint are instructed to voice their concern in writing via email to any board member or coach. Complaints will not be received via in person communication or telephone. Should we require further information we will contact you for clarification. In order to preserve the integrity of our skating environment we urge all parents and skaters to voice their concerns in the appropriate manner as opposed to public criticism of Board members or coaches in our stands during skating sessions. We will attempt as much as possible to treat each member of TPFSC in a respectful and genuine manner and will expect to be treated in the same manner. Failure to abide by this policy will result in an a formal complaint to the Complaint Review Officer at the Skate Canada national office as per the process in the Skate Canada Membership Complaints, Hearing and Investigation Procedures Policy. Available on www.skatecanada.ca
Parent Code Of Conduct
Skate Canada is committed to ensuring that all skaters have the opportunity to participate in a safe and welcoming environment that is encouraging and promotes their overall development. Parents have an enormous influence on skaters’ experiences in the sport. The quality of a skater’s experience is determined by their relationships with parents and the manner in which parents conduct themselves in the Skate Canada environment.
In this code “parents” shall refer to “parents and guardians”. This code applies to all parents who are members of Skate Canada or have children who are members of Skate Canada. Parents shall abide by this code at all times while participating in any Skate Canada club or school, competition, or activity.
• All parents are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible manner consistent with the values of fair play, integrity, open communication and mutual respect.
• Parents shall always model positive and responsible behaviour and communicate with their son/daughter that they expect them to do the same. Parents will assume the major responsibility for their son/daughter’s on ice conduct and attitude.
• Parents shall at all times treat all individuals and property with dignity, courtesy and respect, including but not limited to skaters, coaches, officials, volunteers, other parents, and all other individuals that are part of the club, skating school, Section or Skate Canada.
• Parents shall refrain from any behaviour, or comments, which are profane, insulting, harassing, sexist, racist, abusive, disrespectful or otherwise offensive without hostility or violence.
• Parents shall emphasize the importance of values like sportsmanship, respect, cooperation, competition and teamwork to their son/daughter offering praise for competing fairly, participation and skill development.
• Parents shall model and encourage their son/daughter to maintain a healthy balance between skating and life. (i.e., school, other activities, social life, etc.)
• Parents shall model and encourage balanced, healthy food choices and subscribing to an active and healthy lifestyle.
• Parents shall set high, but reasonable expectations for their son/daughter’s participation in skating focusing on development and enjoyment for the child.
• Parents shall instill confidence in their son/daughter’s ability and skill development, always avoiding comparisons with other skaters.
• Parents shall celebrate the acquisition of skills and goals achieved by their son/daughter.
• Parents, along with the professional coach and the athlete, shall be considered members of a team whose main concern is the child’s overall progress and development. Parents shall respect that the professional coach is responsible and empowered for the on‐ice and off‐ice development of the athlete. A parent’s role shall be to take a healthy interest in their child’s progress and development and be responsible for the child’s nutrition, rest, adherence to off‐ice training regimen set by the coach or other fitness professional, overall health, life‐balance, and moral and emotional support.
• Parents shall ensure their son/daughter wears proper skating clothing and equipment.
• Parents shall never provide alcohol or drugs to minors in a Skate Canada environment.
• Parents shall never provide or advocate the use of performance enhancing drugs or substances.
• Parents shall avoid any conduct, which brings their club, skating school, Section or Skate Canada, into disrepute, including but not limited to abusive use of alcohol, non‐medical use of drugs and gambling.
• Parents shall openly support and uphold this code of conduct policy and take action and steps to ensure other parents follow and uphold this code of conduct policy.
• Parents shall adhere to the policies, procedures, rules, standards, and ethics of Skate Canada at all times.