Hockey Canada enhances commitment to safe sport and cultural change in hockey

Hockey
Published 22.02.2023
Hockey Canada enhances commitment to safe sport and cultural change in hockey

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada is happy to announce a renewed and expanded dedication to preventative schooling in protected sport by way of a multi-year partnership extension with Respect Group, persevering with a longstanding relationship between the organizations to make hockey safer in any respect ranges of the sport.

Through this funding, Hockey Canada will work with Respect Group to collaborate and develop new, age-appropriate participant applications, whereas optimizing the continuing supply of present Respect Group on-line coaching programs with the Hockey Canada Member Branches.

“Age-appropriate, player-centric education is the next logical step in the enhancement of our Respect in Sport curriculum, and we are very excited to be partnering with Hockey Canada as a contributor in the development of these tools,” mentioned Sheldon Kennedy, co-founder of Respect Group, youngster advocate and former NHL participant. “This demonstrates how committed both of our organizations are to creating change in hockey.”

Hockey Canada acknowledges there may be nonetheless work to be performed to drive cultural change within the sport, and the partnership extension with Respect Group displays an organizational dedication to create protected and respectful environments for individuals to benefit from the sport from grassroots to excessive efficiency.

“Hockey Canada is thrilled to be working with Respect Group in pursuit of our common desire to effect meaningful change in hockey by advancing a safe, respectful and inclusive experience for all participants,” mentioned the Hon. Hugh L. Fraser, chair of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors. “We had been one of many first organizations to turn into a full signatory to Abuse-Free Sport and the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner, and in addition established the Independent Third Party, a further confidential reporting mechanism for hockey-related maltreatment complaints of somebody affiliated with Hockey Canada past the nationwide degree.

“The funding in preventative schooling introduced right this moment represents one other element of Hockey Canada’s obligation to vary the tradition in sport, together with by way of enhanced sport security initiatives. Our efforts on this space will proceed and additional bulletins might be forthcoming within the not-too-distant future.”

In its first two months, the Hockey Canada Board of Directors has met for over 80 hours and continues to work extensively with stakeholders to revive confidence and belief within the group.