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 rugby.


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 Rugby Manitoba, must adhere to the following requirements:

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Adopt the policies outlined in the Safe Sport Policy Manual.

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Make Safe Sport information available to parents and young athletes.

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Ensure coaches complete required screening and training.

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Ensure all participants have access to report allegations of maltreatment to an Independent Third Party (ITP).

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Refer any allegations of maltreatment to the ITP if our organization receives such complaints.

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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:




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

Safe Sport Resources

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

Safe Sport Policy Manual

All Rugby Manitoba 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 and background checks.

Coach Screening Policy

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 Tips for Athletes

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

This course must be completed within sixty days of being assigned a coaching position. Coaches maintain their Respect in Sport certification status by completing the course every five years.

Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders

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

Safe Sport Line

Additional Safe Sport Information

For additional safe sport resources, visit Sport Manitoba’s safe sport page.