Every coach, assistant coach, and volunteer who has regular or unsupervised contact with athletes under 19 must be screened before working with our teams. This policy explains what that involves.
1. Who This Applies To
Head coaches, assistant coaches, team managers, chaperones on travel activities, and any volunteer with regular athlete contact. Parents attending as spectators are not covered by this policy.
2. What's Required
- A current Vulnerable Sector Check (not a standard Criminal Record Check — the Vulnerable Sector Check specifically covers work with children) from the RCMP or the applicant's local police service.
- Two reference contacts from prior coaching, employment, or volunteer work involving youth, where available.
- A signed acknowledgment of our Coaches Code of Conduct and Child Safeguarding Policy.
3. Timing
Screening must be complete and on file with Intensity Hoops before a coach or volunteer has any unsupervised contact with athletes — including before the first practice of the season. A pending or incomplete check does not permit unsupervised access in the meantime.
4. Renewal
Vulnerable Sector Checks are renewed every three years, or sooner if required by our insurer or provincial sport body. Coaches are responsible for renewing before expiry; Intensity Hoops will send a reminder in advance.
5. Confidentiality
Screening results are reviewed by a designated club administrator and kept confidential, retained only as long as necessary per our Data Retention Policy, and are not shared beyond what's needed to confirm a coach is cleared to work with athletes.
6. What Disqualifies
Any record involving an offence against a child, a violent offence, or a sexual offence disqualifies an applicant from any role with athlete contact. Other findings are reviewed individually, considering relevance, recency, and the nature of the role.
7. Ongoing Obligation
Coaches and volunteers must disclose to Intensity Hoops if they are charged with a relevant offence at any point during their involvement with the club, not only at initial screening.
Questions
Questions about this policy, or about starting the screening process as a new coach or volunteer, can be directed to Intensity Hoops — see the Contact page.
