Rule of Two Policy
By following the Coaching Association of Canada’s Rule of Two policy, Wallace Minor Soccer Club focuses on ensuring the safety and well-being of all youth participants involved at the club. By adhering to this policy, we aim to provide a secure environment where players can develop their skills and enjoy the sport of soccer to the fullest.
As stated by The Coaching Association of Canada’s Guide to Safety, there should always be at least two screened NCCP-trained persons in authority present when interacting with youth players. A “person in authority” is defined as a NCCP-trained coach, assistant coaches, volunteers, or any other personnel involved in club activities. In order to follow the Rule of Two and maintain the Gold Standard, Huron Perth United aims to ensure that both persons of authority are always NCCP-trained or certified coaches or affiliated club members.
In the case that one adult needs to meet with a player individually (e.g., for feedback, mentoring, or counseling), it should be conducted in an open and observable environment, or with the knowledge and consent of another adult.
Rule of Two Guidelines
Travel - A Person in Authority may not be in a vehicle alone with a youth athlete unless the Person in Authority is a parent or guardian of said athlete. A Person in Authority may not share a room or be alone in a hotel room with a youth athlete unless the Person in Authority is a parent or guardian of said athlete. Room checks must be undertaken by two Persons in Authority during overnight stays.
Changing/Locker/Meeting Room Guidelines - Interactions between a Person in Authority and a single youth athlete should not occur in any room where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. This includes settings such as a locker room, meeting room, washroom, or changing area. A second Person in Authority should be present for all necessary interactions in any such room. If Persons in Authority are not present in the locker room or changing area, or if they are not permitted to be present, they should still be readily available outside the locker room or changing area and be able to enter the room or area if required.
Training/Competition Environment - Wallace Minor Soccer Club aims to create a safe environment for all athletes involved, in which a Person in Authority is never alone with a youth athlete prior to a practice or competition, or following a practice or competition. A minimum of two Persons in Authority should be present once a single youth athlete has arrived. In addition, Persons in Authority instructing, demonstrating, or facilitating drills or lessons to an individual athlete should always be doing so within earshot and eyesight of another Person in Authority.
Gender Identity - Of Wallace Minor Soccer's various gender-specific teams, a Person in Authority of the same gender identity should be present and available to participate in interactions with the youth athletes. This means that Wallace Minor Soccer Club will work to have at least one Person in Authority of each gender identity present for the corresponding gender specific team gatherings and interactions whenever possible.
Additional Resources/Information can be found here: CanadaSoccer_Guide_Safety_EN.pdf