Resources

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Safe Sport

Ajax Aquatic Club, Swimming Canada and Swim Ontario believe that everyone in the sport has the right to enjoy the sport at whatever level or position they participate. Athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers have the right to participate in a safe and inclusive training and competitive environment that is free of abuse, harassment or discrimination.

Any incident within Ajax Aquatic Club or as we travel for competitions and camps please contact your coach and or Kendra @

ajaxaquaticclub@gmail.com

In an attempt to streamline the system.  Swim Ontario has put the following in place starting the 24-25 season. 

One Complaint and Discipline procedure and a single Code of Conduct (S.O. Code) now applies for the entire Swim Ontario community and all Code of Conduct complaint will be sent to, and administered by the independent Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO).

FAQ

Why this change from using the previous Club DRO/Club System?

1. The current Complaint and Discipline environment continues to become increasingly more complicated.
2. This new procedure will either directly comply with, or make for, an easier transition to anticipated Provincial Government Safe Sport initiatives.
3. It will provide an independent, consistent application of the procedure.
4. It should help ease the burden and stress on clubs that these issues can create for volunteers and staff.
5. It will also provide Swim Ontario a clearer picture of the entire Swimming Safe Sport landscape in Ontario, which will be important for the implementation of new Government initiatives

What does this mean for Registrants – HOW to REPORT a COMPLAINT

1. S.O. will send out more detailed information in an email blast to all 30,000 registrants in late October.
2. If someone needs to report a Complaint for conduct that violates Swim Ontario bylaws, policies, procedures and the Swim Ontario Code of Conduct, submit the form HERE

Is there a web page with more information?

1. Yes, the link to the Complaints Process page is HERE.

What if our club has an ongoing Complaint right now?

1. The club needs submit a progress report to Swim Ontario for our review to this email address

What does clubs need to do to comply? (ASAP)

1. Any club President, Coach, Board member, staff, volunteer of anyone who receives a complaint MUST report/forward the complaint to Swim Ontario HERE
2. Clubs must not administer any Code of Conduct Complaint – please send it to Swim Ontario.  Use this link to report a claim HERE
   Clubs will also need to provide S.O. with all details of any ongoing/unresolved complaints to this email address
3. In the event of a new incident an appropriate person has authority to take immediate, informal, (small) corrective action in response to behaviour that constitutes an infraction. The person in authority can be, but is not restricted to being, staff, officials, coaches, organizers, or Board/Committee members. The incident is then reported to Swim Ontario HERE
4. Clubs will need to update certain Policies and Procedures
   
   • Clubs MUST adopt and publish the S.O. Code (without changes)
   • Advertise the new Complaint procedure to the club membership
   • Club policies will need to be updated to reflect this change, as only breaches of the S.O. Code of club policy/procedure can be addressed through this new procedure.
   • Delete the current club Code of Conduct and any club complaint and discipline policies/procedures.

1. Clubs will still need a process/mechanism for effective resolution of issues not covered by this procedure (some examples are):
   
   • employment matters,
   • financial matters/refunds
   • swimming technical matters (group moves, meet entries, etc.)

What if the incident is criminal or involves an injury?

1. If the actions may be considered criminal or someone is in immediate danger, CALL THE POLICE
2. Take whatever action is needed to make sure people are safe and ensure that any injuries receive treatment.
3. Report the matter to Swim Ontario HERE

Important Contacts:

• The Canadian Sports Helpline
• 1-888-837-7678  info@abuse-free-sport.ca  http://abuse-free-sport.ca/en/
• The helpline will provide you with advice, guidance and resources on how to proceed/intervene appropriately in the circumstances.
• Swimming Canada Safe Sport Officer - safesportofficer@safe-sport.ca
• You may contact the Independent Safe Sport Official at safesportofficer@safe-sport.ca. This person is an independent third party who will guide you through the complaints process and/or explore other options. This Independent Official is empowered to supersede Swimming Canada staff and launch appropriate policies as required based on evidence or a situation reported. Your contact with the Safe Sport Official is confidential, subject to certain legal limits. The independent Safe Sport Official is a certified workplace harassment resources/investigator. For general disputes, you are encouraged to try to resolve your situation at the club or provincial level before contacting Swimming Canada.
• Swim Ontario Complaint, Dispute and Resolutions Officer  complaints@swimontario.com
• Complaint, Discipline and Appeal Procedure
• Comprehensive Code of Conduct and Ethics Procedure
• Swimming Canada Code of Conduct & Professional Ethics Policy

Incident and Injury Reporting

• Online Incident / Injury Report
• Injury Report Form
• Incident Report Form
• Confidential Sport Safety contact information handout
• Concussion Management Protocols at competitions
• Sport Safety at Competitions

Respect in Sport

Respect in Sport provides Safe Sport educational programs for all Swimming Canada participants, including coaches, officials, athletes, parents.

• Respect in Sport Activity Leader
• Respect in Sport for Parents
• Respect in the Workplace

For more information on these programs, click HERE

Clean Sport

WADA Resources

• Parent Guide to Support Clean Sport
• Youth Anti Doping eLearning