Coaches Code of Conduct

Definitions

1. The following terms have these meanings in this Code:
   1. “Complainant” – The Party alleging an infraction
   2. “Respondent” – The alleged infracting Party
   3. “Parties” – The Complainant, Respondent, and any other Individuals, persons, or organizations affected by the complaint
   4. “Days” – Days irrespective of weekend and holidays
   5. “Administrator” – The individual, either the Head Coach of UTTC, or their respective designate, who receives an applicable complaint
   6. “Individuals” – All categories of membership of UTTC’s, as well as all individuals employed by, or engaged in activities with, UTTC including but not limited to: Coaches, volunteers, and UTTC IST
2. Affiliation with the UTTC brings many privileges and benefits. At the same time, Individuals are expected to meet certain obligations including complying with UTTC policies and this Code of Conduct. Irresponsible behaviour by Individuals can result in severe damage to the integrity of UTTC.
3. Individuals must be aware that they are expected to model behaviour appropriate for the Individual’s role as a representative of UTTC. This document outlines the conduct expected of Individuals and the Disciplinary Procedures that Individuals are subject to if there is a complaint about an Individual’s conduct.

Application of the Code of Conduct

4. The Code of Conduct applies to Individuals’ conduct during UTTC-related business, coaching activities, and events including, but not limited to, competitions, fundraisers, practices, tryouts, training camps, and travel associated with coaching.
5. The Code of Conduct also applies to Individuals’ conduct outside of UTTC-related business, coaching activities, and events when such conduct adversely affects relationships with other Individuals or athletes, or when it is detrimental to the image and reputation of the UTTC.

NCCP Code of Ethics

6. Licensed and Registered Coaches of the UTTC agree to follow the NCCP Code of Ethics (2016), which describes five Ethical Principles and the corresponding Standards of Behaviour Expected of Coaches.

7. Registered Coaches who do not follow the NCCP Code of Ethics may have violated UTTC’s Code of Conduct may be subject to sanction under the terms of this document.

Responsibilities

8. Individuals have the following responsibilities:

Dignity

9. Maintain and enhance the dignity and self-esteem of athletes and other Individuals by:
   1. Demonstrating respect to individuals regardless of body type, physical characteristics, athletic ability, age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, sex and sexual orientation
   2. Focusing comments or criticism appropriately and avoiding public criticism of athletes, coaches, officials, organizers, volunteers, employees, or members
   3. Consistently demonstrating a spirit of sportsmanship, sport leadership, and ethical conduct
   4. Acting, when appropriate, to correct or prevent practices that are unjustly discriminatory
   5. Consistently treating individuals fairly and reasonably
   6. Ensuring adherence to the rules of the sport and the spirit of those rules

Harassment

10. Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes harassment, where harassment is defined as comment or conduct directed towards an individual or group, which is offensive, abusive, racist, sexist, degrading, or malicious. Types of behaviour that constitute harassment include, but are not limited to:
    1. Written or verbal abuse, threats, or outbursts
    2. The display of visual material which is offensive or which one ought to know is offensive in the circumstances
    3. Unwelcome remarks, jokes, comments, innuendo, or taunts
    4. Leering or other suggestive or obscene gestures
    5. Condescending or patronizing behaviour which is intended to undermine self-esteem, diminish performance or adversely affect working conditions
    6. Practical jokes which cause awkwardness or embarrassment, endanger a person’s safety, or negatively affect performance
    7. Any form of hazing where hazing is defined as “Any potentially humiliating, degrading, abusive, or dangerous activity expected of a junior-ranking athlete by a more senior teammate, which does not contribute to either athlete’s positive development, but is required to be accepted as part of a team, regardless of the junior-ranking athlete’s willingness to participate. This includes, but is not limited to, any activity, no matter how traditional or seemingly benign, that sets apart or alienates any teammate based on class, number of years on the team, or athletic ability.”
    8. Unwanted physical contact including, but not limited to, massaging, stretching, touching, petting, pinching, or kissing
    9. Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, requests, or invitations
    10. Physical or sexual assault
    11. Behaviours such as those described above that are not directed towards a specific individual or group but have the same effect of creating a negative or hostile environment
    12. Retaliation or threats of retaliation against an individual who reports harassment to the UTTC
        Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment, where sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual comments and sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or conduct of a sexual nature.

11. Types of behaviour that constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
    1. Sexist jokes
    2. Display of sexually offensive material
    3. Sexually degrading words used to describe a person
    4. Inquiries or comments about a person’s sex life
    5. Unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions
    6. Persistent unwanted contact

Doping and Drug Use

12. Abstain from the non-medical use of drugs or the use of performance-enhancing drugs or methods. More specifically, UTTC adopts and adheres to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program. Any infraction under this Program will be considered an infraction of this Code and may be subject to further disciplinary action, and possible sanction, pursuant to the Disciplinary Procedures. UTTC will respect any penalty enacted pursuant to a breach of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program imposed by any other sport organization.
13. Refrain from associating with any person for the purpose of coaching, training, competition, instruction, administration, management, athletic development, or supervision who has incurred an anti-doping rule violation and is serving a sanction involving a period of ineligibility imposed pursuant to the Canadian AntiDoping Program and/or the World Anti-Doping Code and recognized by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport(CCES).

Inappropriate Behaviour

14. Refrain from the use of power or authority in an attempt to coerce another person to engage in inappropriate activities.
15. Avoid consuming alcohol in situations where minors are present and take reasonable steps to manage the responsible consumption of alcohol in adult-oriented social situations at sanctioned events.
16. Respect the property of others and not wilfully cause damage.
17. Adhere to all federal, provincial, municipal and host country laws.

Athlete Safety

18. Ensure a safe environment by selecting activities and establishing controls that are suitable for the age, experience, ability, and fitness level of the involved athletes.
19. Prepare athletes systematically and progressively, using appropriate time frames and monitoring physical and psychological adjustments while refraining from using training methods or techniques that may harm athletes.
20. Avoid compromising the present and future health of athletes by communicating and cooperating with sport medicine professionals in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of athletes’ medical and psychological treatments.

Athlete Development

21. Support the coaching staff of a training camp, provincial/territorial team, or national team; should an athlete qualify for participation with one of these programs.
22. Provide athletes (and the parents/guardians of minor athletes) with the information necessary to be involved in the decisions that affect the athlete.
23. Act in the best interest of the athlete’s development as a whole person.
24. Respect coaches.
25. Respect athletes playing with other teams and, in dealings with them, not encroach upon topics or actions which are deemed to be within the realm of ‘coaching’, unless after first receiving approval from the coaches who are responsible for the athletes.

Athlete Protection

26. Self-report any ongoing criminal investigation, conviction, or existing bail conditions, including those for violence, child pornography, or possession, use, or sale of any illegal substance.
27. Under no circumstances provide, promote, or condone the use of drugs (other than properly prescribed medications) or performance-enhancing substances and, in the case of minors, alcohol and/or tobacco.
28. Not engage in a sexual relationship with an athlete under 18 years old or an intimate or sexual relationship with an athlete over the age of 18 if the individual is in a position of power, trust, or authority over the athlete.
29. Recognize the power inherent in the position of coach and respect and promote the rights of all participants in sport. This is accomplished by establishing and following procedures for confidentiality (right to privacy), informed participation, and fair and reasonable treatment. Coaches have a special responsibility to respect and promote the rights of participants who are in a vulnerable or dependent position and less able to protect their own rights.

UTTC coaches are subject to policies imposed by the University of Toronto, the OUA (“Ontario University Athletics”) and U Sports

https://usports.ca/hq/by-laws-policies-procedures

https://oua.ca/documents/2021/6/18/OUA_Governance_Policies.pdf