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Safe Sport
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 Lawn Bowling.

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 Bowls Manitoba Inc, 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.

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:

How to File a Maltreatment Complaint - Interactive Video

Maltreatment Complaint Process Flowchart

Filing a Maltreatment Complaint - Complainant’s Guide

Maltreatment Complaint - Respondent’s Guide

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

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Report a Non-Maltreatment Complaint

Some actions or behaviours do not constitute maltreatment but may still be a breach of Bowls Manitoba's Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy, or violate its Bylaws, policies or procedures.

If you would like to submit a non-maltreatment complaint, please submit your complaint, in writing, within 14 days of the alleged incident(s) to bowls@shawbiz.ca.

Safe Sport Resources

Click on the links below!

Safe Sport Policy Manual
Policies outlining behaviour expectations for all sport stakeholders,
procedures for handling complaints, appeal procedures, and coach
education and screening requirements.

Coach Screening Policy 
All Bowls Manitoba Inc 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:

  • Respect in Sport training (every 5 years)

  • ​NCCP training according to coaching level

  • Background Checks: Criminal Record or Vulnerable Sector Check (every 5 years)

  • Child Abuse Registry Checks if travelling with Young Athletes (every 5 years)

  • Screening Disclosure Form (annually)

​​

Coaches under the age of 18 must have completed Respect in Sport & Understanding the Rule of Two training, submitted acceptable character references, and successfully navigated an interview.

Our Coach Screening Policy: 

click to view

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.

Safe Sport Line
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

Additional Safe Sport Information
For additional safe sport resources, visit Sport Manitoba’s safe sport page here.

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Bowls Manitoba
145 Pacific Ave, Winnipeg MB
R3B 2Z6
Email: bowls@shawbiz.ca
Tel: 204-925-5694
Fax: 204-925-5792

Bowls Manitoba and our clubhouse are located on Treaty One lands, the original territories of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Anisininew, Dakota, Lakota, Dene peoples, and the national homeland of the Red River Metis.  
Bowls Manitoba acknowledges its role in building relationships upon this land and commits to a spirit of reconciliation.

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