Intensity Hoops is committed to providing a safe, respectful environment for every athlete in our programs. This policy sets out the concrete standards every coach, staff member, and volunteer must follow when working with participants under 19, and the legal duty every adult in our program shares.
1. Screening Requirement
Every coach, assistant coach, and volunteer with regular or unsupervised contact with athletes must complete a Vulnerable Sector Check before their first season and renew it on the schedule set out in our Screening & Background Check Policy. No one is permitted unsupervised contact with athletes before that check is on file.
2. One-on-One Contact
- Coaches must avoid being alone with a single athlete in a closed or private space. Where a one-on-one conversation is necessary (e.g. addressing a personal issue), it should happen in an open, visible area.
- "Two-deep leadership" applies on all travel activities and overnight stays: at least two screened adults must be present and supervising at all times.
- Coaches do not enter athlete hotel rooms, change rooms, or washrooms unsupervised.
3. Electronic Communication
- Coaches do not contact athletes under 19 through personal social media accounts, direct messages, or private text/call, except in a genuine emergency.
- Team communication happens through group channels that include a parent/guardian or another coach, or through the club's official communication tools.
- This applies alongside, not instead of, our Digital Communications Media Policy.
4. Physical Contact
Physical contact with athletes is limited to what is appropriate for coaching, spotting, or first aid, is not prolonged or private, and stops immediately if the athlete is uncomfortable.
5. Duty to Report
Under the BC Child, Family and Community Service Act, any person who has reason to believe a child is being or may be abused or neglected has a legal duty to report it to the Ministry of Children and Family Development or the police — regardless of internal club process, and regardless of whether the concern involves someone connected to Intensity Hoops. This duty applies personally to every coach and staff member; it is not satisfied by reporting internally instead.
6. Internal Reporting
Separately from the legal duty above, any concern about a coach's, staff member's, or volunteer's conduct toward an athlete should also be raised with Intensity Hoops directly, using the process in our Concern or Dispute Resolution Policy. Reports are taken seriously and handled discreetly.
7. Consequences
A breach of this policy may result in immediate suspension pending investigation, and removal from any role involving contact with athletes, independent of any legal proceedings.
Questions
Questions about this policy can be directed to Intensity Hoops — see the Contact page.
