GENERAL

What is Respect in Sport?

RiS is an on-line training course for coaches and sport leaders. It is designed as a tool to assist coaches, parents and bystanders in identifying and dealing with abuse, neglect, harassment, and bullying in sport.  

Why is this being implemented?

Sport Manitoba believes that we should be proactive in making sport in our Province safe and welcoming for all participants. Respect in Sport helps us promote those values through this simple and convenient on-line tool.  It is being implemented to provide a better sport environment for our children.

Why is it mandatory?

It’s a strong word but this is an important issue and we believe ALL coaches and sport leaders must understand the fundamentals.  In knowing that all of our coaches have had this essential training we will also better mitigate liability both personal and organizational.

How is Respect in Sport implemented?

Respect in sport is presented as an online curriculum and includes audio/visual presentations, quizzes and printable handouts.

What is Sport Manitoba’s role in implementing the program?

Sport Manitoba is leading this initiative with the support of the Province of Manitoba and Coaching Manitoba.

What equipment is required to use Respect in Sport?

All that is required to complete the Respect in Sport curriculum is a computer, an Internet connection and speakers or a headset.  Optional equipment includes a printer to print the handouts and/or your certificate of completion.

What if I don’t have a personal computer?
Respect in Sport is available from any community computer- your work, library, a friend, band office, school.  Your information will be confidential as you log on with your own password to access the program each time.  The Paul Robson Resource center has 9 computers available for you to access if you do not have access to one.

What if I don’t have a high-speed connection?
The course is designed to be accessible from any PC using a dial-up or high-speed Internet.  Once modules are downloaded, the user experience is the same at any speed.  The speed of download is completely dependant on the connection speed.

What if I don’t know anything about computers?
Through extensive research and development, the program was designed, first and foremost, to be user friendly.  It is extremely simple to use and has been implemented and tested by many sport organizations with little or no reported difficulties.  There is also an on-line “Help” feature and a 1-800 support line available.

Is there a paper version of the program?
No, by design.  We are forever creating paper that costs lost of money and sits in the corner unused. Respect in Sport’s online courseware eliminates the need for our organization to absorb printing, mailing and administration costs.  Respect in Sport also gives you ongoing access to the course once you’ve completed it, as an online resource. There are some documents you can print if you want them but that is your choice.



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NCCP

How does this relate to NCCP training?
Respect in Sport was designed to compliment the existing NCCP programs.  It is now worth 2 Professional Development points for Certified Coached in the NCCP system.

How is this different than the making ethical decisions NCCP module?
Quite different and far more specific in dealing with the key issues of abuse, neglect, bullying and harassment. That’s the focus. Again, it fully compliments the making ethical decisions NCCP module. MED focuses on the process to make decisions.

How does this affect my certification requirements?
It won’t affect your NCCP certification. You will be certified in Respect in Sport separately and your sport organization will track that separately.

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COACH

As a volunteer coach I am being asked to do another course?
Yes. It really is one of the most important courses you’ll take as a volunteer who is responsible for teaching and training athletes. With this training you should feel more confident in dealing with issues relating to abuse, neglect, bullying and harassment and hopefully feel much more secure in this often overlooked area. This course will give you the tools to protect yourself and the young people in your care and hopefully make you feel more comfortable being a volunteer.

Why do I have to take the course again when I have already taken it?
This new course deals with updated issues such as, cyberbullying, social media, mental health and LGBT athletes as well as the change to age of consent legislation.

How long is the course?
It’s a total of approximately two and a half hours but it’s split in 7 simple modules.

Do I have to do it all at once?
That’s the beauty. You can do it at your leisure. Just come and go as you please. The program knows where you left off and brings you back to that point when next you sign-in.

What is the deadline?
All active coaches who have taken the RIS over 5 years ago, will have until April 1, 2017 to recertify or their RIS certificate become inactive. 
Anyone who has taken RIS under 5 years ago, will be contacted by the Respect Group when their certification is about to expire and they will then take the new and enhanced  RIS for Activity Leaders course.

How much does it cost?
Because we at Sport Manitoba believe so strongly in this program and the values it promotes, we are absorbing all costs. So, for you, it’s free!

Do I have to take the course every year?
No. It is only required to take every 5 years (or sooner if PSO decides).  You will receive an email from the Respect group letting you know when your certification is about to expire. 

What are the benefits for a coach?
·         It will help you better understand the responsibilities, reward and respect that come with being a coach.
·         It will make you more confident in identifying and dealing with abuse, neglect, bullying and harassment.
·         It will ensure a safer and more respectful environment for you, other coaches and the children in your care.
·         As a more knowledgeable coach, it will also better mitigate your own personal liability associated with this very volatile area within sport.

What if I coach more than one sport?
It covers all sports within Manitoba and your certification is good across the board.  You will only have to complete the course once.

What happens if I don’t do the program?

If you decide not to take the course, that’s fine, you just won’t be able to volunteer in the capacity of coach.

Why do I have to take this course if I am coaching adults?

Values are values. Whether you are coaching youth or adults the issues of abuse, neglect, bullying and harassment are the same.

I’m just helping out, I’m not the head coach.  Why should I have to take the course too?
Anyone who is in a leadership position with our youth or adults and involved in sport need to have this knowledge.



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PSOs

What are the benefits for a PSO?

By implementing the program, PSOs are making a commitment to the safety of their athletes.  It provides coaches with the tools to deal with legal and moral responsibilities making them less vulnerable and more confident in dealing with sensitive issues.  It helps your organization in liability reduction as a risk management tool

The benefits include:
-liability reduction
-help to create a sport specific database
-coach retention
-consistent training for coaches across all sports

How do athletes benefit?

Respect in Sport will ensure a safer, more welcoming sport environment where respect is paramount. It will make enjoyment levels go up and hopefully keep our participants involved in sport

What are the consequences of not implementing the program?

Each PSO will be required through the Terms and Conditions of Funding.  PSO funding will be affected if the program is not implemented.

How do we enforce the mandatory requirement?

By ensuring that all coaches in your sport on the field of play have taken the course.  PSOs will be asked to not allow coaches that haven’t completed the course to coach.  Sport Manitoba will work individually with each PSO to support them in enforcing the mandatory requirement.

How will I know which coaches have completed the new course?  Who will track?

The database will track all registrants on a per sport basis. Each sport will have access to their database and be able to track the progress of their users. The database is simple to manage and we will work with PSOs on a common approach that makes sense and will really work. 

Is there someone I can call if I have an issue about some of the topics covered in the RIS program?
Yes, Sport Manitoba has a support line with staff trained in abuse prevention, risk management, dispute resolution and crisis intervention that will be able to assist any questions or concerns you may have.  Their contact information is 1-877-737-9875 or email gethelp@changeofseasons.ca



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