Responsible Coaching Movement

As part of our commitment to the NCCP’s Responsible Coaching Movement the Markham Soccer Club has implemented the following policies & procedures in order to ensure that both our athletes and coaches are protected

1. Rule of Two
   • Two screened & NCCP trained coaches should always be present with an athlete, in particular a minor, when in a potentially vulnerable situation.  A coach should never be alone out of eyesight with a child. All one-on-one interactions between a coach and a athlete should take place within earshot and within view of a second coach except for in medical emergencies
   • One of the coaches shall be the same gender as the athlete
   • In circumstances where a second screened & certified coach is not readily available a screened volunteer, parent, or adult can be recruited
     
     
2. Background Screening
   All team officials must complete an application form as well as provide three reference checks.  Upon approval of the initial application, applicants must then provide a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) to the club’s Child Protection Liaison for review prior to appointment to any Markham SC team. All VSS must be updated, at a minimum, every three years.
   
   
3. Ethics Training
   All coaches are required to complete ethics training to prepare them to effectively handle situations that may arise concerning individuals, teams, and our organizations.  Successful completion of both the Making Ethical Decisions (MED) & Respect in Soccer courses is required. Completion of the Commit to Kids online training course is strongly encouraged.