Safe Sport

What is Safe Sport?

Safe sport refers to an environment that prioritizes the physical and psychological well-being of all participants. It involves a commitment to providing optimal experiences, while actively preventing and addressing all forms of maltreatment, including abuse, harassment, neglect, and discrimination. Advancing safe sport is a shared responsibility that requires awareness, education, and clear actions for reporting. This page provides resources and guidance to help advance safe sport in Football Manitoba.

Visit the Sport Manitoba Safe – Sport webpage 

The Protecting Youth in Sports Act

The Protecting Youth in Sports Act enhances protection measures for young athletes in Manitoba’s sport system. All Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs), including Football Manitoba, must adhere to the following requirements:

  • Adopt the policies outlined in the Safe Sport Policy Manual.
  • Make safe sport information available to parents and young athletes.
  • Ensure coaches complete required screening and training.
  • Ensure all participants have access to report allegations of maltreatment to an Independent Third Party (ITP).
  • Refer any allegations of maltreatment to the ITP if our organization receives such complaints.
  • Enforce any disciplinary action determined by the ITP.

Abuse, Harassment, Bullying or Hazing in Sport

‍SAFE SPORT LINE: 1-833-656-SAFE (7233)

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, harassment, bullying or hazing in sport, and you need someone to talk to, call the safe sport line: 1-833-656-SAFE (7233).

In Manitoba, it is everyone’s legal obligation to report suspected child abuse. If, in your honest judgment, you believe that a child may not be safe, you are legally required to report it. The experts at the Safe Sport Line can help you make that report.

Add Us To Your Contacts

In your phone’s contacts, add the Safe Sport Line as a contact with this phone number: 1-833-656-SAFE (7233), and email address help@safesportline.ca, so you can have it at the ready if you’re ever in a situation you don’t know how to handle.

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Confidential 24/7 Support

When you call or email the Safe Sport Line, a trained staff person with decades of experience in sport related abuse prevention, risk management, dispute resolution, and crisis intervention will help to answer your questions, address your concerns, and offer resources and guidance for actionable steps you can take towards a safe sport experience.

Call or email us anytime. All messages are responded to within 24 hours.

Report a Maltreatment Complaint

ITP Sport is responsible for overseeing all allegations of maltreatment. If you would like to submit a maltreatment complaint, please submit your complaint to ITP Sport here:

Reporting a maltreatment complaint may seem confusing and overwhelming.

    The following resources can help you navigate the process:

    If a maltreatment complaint is submitted to a coach, official, volunteer, or staff member, the complaint must be referred to the ITP (Independent Third Party).

    Safe Sport Resources:

    • Safe Sport Policy Manual
      • Policies outlining behaviour expectations for all sport stakeholders, procedures for handling complaints, appeal procedures, and coach education and screening requirements.
    • Screening Policy
      • All Football Manitoba coaches (any individual who is 14 years of age or older and is authorized or recognized by an organization to provide instruction and direction to participants in a sport) must complete the necessary coach screening requirements including:
        • Full requirements can be found under Coaches above
        • Background Check (Province with Age of Majority 18+)
    • Safe Sport Tips for Athletes
      • Age appropriate tips for athletes under 8, ages 9–12, and 13+, describing expected behaviour, measures for their protection, and steps to take if they experience harm, with the 13+ group also having access to a 20-minute safe sport education online module.
    • Safe Sport Handbook for Parents and Guardians
      • Information detailing behaviour expectations, different forms of maltreatment, possible indicators that a child experienced maltreatment, and steps to take if a child experienced maltreatment.
    • Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders
      • This course must be completed within sixty (60) days of being assigned a coaching position. Coaches maintain their Respect in Sport certification status by completing the course every five (5) years.
      • If you or someone you know is experiencing maltreatment in sport, and you need someone to talk to, contact the safe sport line at 1-833-656-SAFE (7233) or help@safesportline.ca