Athlete Safety
Safe Sport at Northern Force.
Every athlete deserves to train and compete in an environment that is safe, respectful, and free from harm. Safe Sport isn't a checkbox for us — it's a standard we hold every single day.
Our Commitment
Protecting athletes is non-negotiable.
Northern Force Fastpitch is committed to providing a sport environment where every athlete, coach, parent, and volunteer is treated with respect and dignity. We take a proactive, structured approach to athlete safety — built on clear policies, trained and screened coaches, and reporting pathways that anyone can use with confidence. Our program aligns with the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS), the national standard for safe sport in Canada.
Given the size and professionalism of our program, we've built a full Northern Force Safe Sport Program so that safety is embedded in how we operate, not left to chance.
The Northern Force Safe Sport Program
Five pillars that keep athletes safe.
Safe Sport Handbook
A single, plain-language guide that gathers every Northern Force safety policy, expectation, and reporting pathway in one place for athletes, families, coaches, and volunteers.
Online Reporting Form
A confidential, always-available way to raise a concern — anonymously if preferred — so no one ever has to report an issue in person to move forward.
Fair Complaint Process
Serious complaints follow our Complaint & Discipline Policy — handled fairly and away from any conflict of interest — and anyone may contact the independent Canadian Sport Helpline for free, confidential advice at any time.
Annual Coach Certification
Every Northern Force coach completes Safe Sport certification and screening each season — not once, but every year they are with the program.
Acknowledgement Forms
Parents and athletes review and sign our Code of Conduct and Safe Sport policies at registration, so expectations are clear and shared from day one.
Policies & Standards
What our program includes.
Our Safe Sport framework is built on the policies recommended for high-level Canadian sport organizations.
Comprehensive Safe Sport Policy
An overarching policy defining our commitment to a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment free from maltreatment, harassment, and abuse.
Code of Conduct
Clear standards of behaviour for athletes, coaches, parents, and volunteers — on the field, in the dugout, and in the stands.
Screening Policy
Vulnerable Sector Checks for every coach, staff member, and volunteer — renewed every three years, with a signed self-declaration in the years in between.
Respect in Sport
Every coach completes Respect in Sport (Activity Leader), and we ask every parent to complete Respect in Sport (Parent) — Canada's recognized abuse- and bullying-prevention training.
Rule of Two
No coach is ever alone and unobserved with a single athlete. Two screened adults are present in all interactions, protecting both athletes and coaches.
Social Media & Electronic Communication
Guidelines for appropriate, transparent communication between coaches and athletes across text, email, and social platforms.
Concussion Policy
Recognition, removal-from-play, and return-to-play protocols aligned with current Canadian concussion guidelines.
Complaint & Discipline Policy
A defined, fair process for handling complaints, investigations, and any disciplinary action that may result.
Canadian Sport Helpline
A free, confidential, independent advice and referral line, available to anyone at any time — separate from the Association.
Required Safe Sport Training
Mandatory Safe Sport training for all coaches, including Respect in Sport and the free Safe Sport module from the Coaching Association of Canada.
UCCMS Alignment
Our framework aligns with the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport — the shared national standard adopted across Canadian sport.
The Rule of Two
Never one-on-one. Always accountable.
The Rule of Two is the cornerstone of Safe Sport. It ensures that all interactions between a coach and an athlete take place in the presence of a second screened adult. It creates an open, observable, and accountable environment — protecting athletes from harm and coaches from misunderstanding.
Concussion Safety
Rowan's Law compliant.
Northern Force meets Ontario's Rowan's Law concussion-safety requirements. We maintain a Concussion Code of Conduct, and every athlete, parent, and coach reviews an approved concussion-awareness resource each year before taking part. Suspected concussions follow clear Removal-from-Sport and medically cleared Return-to-Sport protocols.
- Concussion Code of Conduct in effect
- Annual review of an approved awareness resource before play
- Signed acknowledgements collected at registration
- Immediate Removal-from-Sport on any suspected concussion
- Medically cleared, stepwise Return-to-Sport
Report a Concern
See something? Say something.
If you have witnessed or experienced behaviour that concerns you, we want to hear about it. Every report is taken seriously and handled with care and confidentiality. You can report anonymously if you prefer.
In an emergency
If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
Report directly to Northern Force
Contact our designated Safe Sport Coordinator, [Safe Sport Coordinator — name & email TBD], or email northernforcefastpitch@gmail.com, or use the confidential form.
Independent advice line
For free, confidential advice — anonymously if you prefer — contact the independent Canadian Sport Helpline at 1-888-83-SPORT (1-888-837-7678). They offer support and referrals, independent of the Association. Formal complaints are handled under our Complaint & Discipline Policy.
For Our Coaches
Trained, screened, certified.
Every Northern Force coach completes Respect in Sport (Activity Leader) and Safe Sport training, and holds a Vulnerable Sector Check renewed every three years — with a signed self-declaration in the years between. Training is available free through the Coaching Association of Canada.
- Respect in Sport (Activity Leader)
- Annual Safe Sport certification
- Vulnerable Sector Check (renewed every 3 years)
- Annual screening self-declaration
- Signed Code of Conduct
- Concussion protocol training (Rowan's Law)
- Adherence to the Rule of Two
Player Safety & Insurance
Sanctioned, insured, and professionally run.
At Northern Force Fastpitch, athlete safety is one of our highest priorities. Our organization participates in NSA Canada sanctioned activities and maintains Commercial General Liability Insurance through NSA Canada's national insurance program.
We are committed to providing a safe, professionally operated environment for all athletes, families, coaches, and facility partners.
$5,000,000
Commercial General Liability coverage
- Bodily Injury & Property Damage coverage
- Covers sanctioned practices, games, tournaments, and team activities
- Provided through HDI Global Specialty SE and Certain Lloyd's Underwriters under the NSA Canada insurance program
Documents & Downloads
Safe Sport documentation.
Our core Safe Sport policies are available to download below. These policies were adopted by the Northern Force Fastpitch Board of Directors and are effective June 30, 2026. Additional policies and forms are available to members and families on request — email northernforcefastpitch@gmail.com.
Core Policies
Questions about Safe Sport?
We're always happy to talk through our policies with athletes and families. Reach out any time — safety is a conversation we welcome.
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