SafeSport
POLICIES
1. Background Screening
QVS maintains a background screening process as part of its commitment to SafeSport and to support compliance with the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Affiliation and Allocation Policy. QVS is an adult-only recreational sport organization and does not provide programs or services specifically to youth. However, League Organizers have direct and/or regular contact with adults 18+ and are in a position of trust. Accordingly, QVS uses a Police Information Check (PIC) with Vulnerable Sector Check.
All QVS League Organizers are required to complete a PIC with Vulnerable Sector Check. The League Organizers constitute QVS's ongoing leadership, governance and operational management team and collectively hold responsibility for the administration, safety and operation of the league and its teams. Team Captains and League Referees are QVS members appointed to undertake defined team-level and game-day responsibilities during the applicable playing season. Team Captain and League Referee positions are not governance or organizational management positions and are not designated by QVS as positions requiring a Police Information Check. Team Captains and League Referees remain subject to QVS's Code of Conduct, applicable SafeSport policies, mandatory training requirements and the safety responsibilities assigned to them under this Policy.
QVS will provide each League Organizer with a Volunteer Agency Letter confirming their unpaid volunteer status and the nature of their position. League Organizers may apply for their PIC with Vulnerable Sectors Check through the Vancouver Police Department: https://vpd.ca/contact-us/police-information-checks/
The League Organizers will maintain appropriate records demonstrating compliance with the screening requirements of this section.
2. Rule of Two
QVS recognizes the Rule of Two as a SafeSport practice intended to reduce risks associated with potentially vulnerable interactions. As an adult-only recreational sport organization, QVS will apply the principle proportionately to circumstances involving increased vulnerability, authority or risk. Where reasonably practicable, sensitive interactions involving safety matters should involve more than one appropriate QVS representative or occur in an observable environment. Complaints, conflict and disciplinary matters will be managed in accordance with the applicable QVS processes for dealing with Code of Conduct and Policy breaches.
3. Training and Education
QVS will provide and maintain safety and SafeSport education appropriate to the responsibilities of League Organizers, Team Captains, and League Referees. Unless otherwise approved by the League Organizers, League Organizers and Team Captains are required to review the following materials:
the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) for Coaches and Officials (https://cattonline.com/course/concussion-awareness-training-tool-for-coaches)
PlaySafe BC Safe Participation training (https://playsafe.thinkific.com/courses/safe-participation)
QVS safety orientation applicable to their role
QVS safety orientation will include, as applicable:
responsibilities under this Safety and Risk Policy
Emergency Action Plans and emergency procedures
location and accessibility of first aid equipment
concussion recognition and response
injury and safety incident reporting
applicable SafeSport responsibilities and reporting pathways
Required training should be completed prior to or within a reasonable period following appointment to the applicable role. QVS will maintain records demonstrating completion of training. Members who are not League Organizers, Team Captains, or League Referees are encouraged to review QVS safety information and complete the CATT Athlete Course - https://cattonline.com/athlete-course/.
Emergency Action Plan for Clinton Park Fields Facility
Clinton Park SW Address: 2690 Grant Street, Vancouver, BC
Emergency: 911 City of Vancouver (Park Issues): 311 / 604-873-7000
Purpose: This Emergency Action Plan (EAP) provides Team Captains and League Organizers with practical information for responding to a serious injury or medical emergency during a QVS sanctioned activity at Clinton Park SW field. This EAP supplements the QVS Safety and Risk Policy. It does not replace the specific concussion, environmental or other safety procedures contained in that policy.
Facility Details and Layout Clinton Park contains two grass playing fields:
● Clinton SW Field
● Clinton NW Field.
The following layout identifies the playing areas and key locations relevant to emergency response. AED: There is no AED at Clinton Park that QVS has confirmed as accessible during sanctioned QVS activities.In an Emergency
3.1. STOP PLAY: Assess the situation and make the area safe.3.2. CHARGE PERSON: Stay with the injured participant and coordinate the immediate response.
3.3. CALL PERSON: Call 911 where emergency medical assistance is required. State: “Clinton Park SW field, 2690 Grant Street, Vancouver, BC”. Identify that the emergency is on the SW field, describe the nature of the emergency and follow the dispatcher's instructions.
3.4. DIRECT EMS: Send someone to the designated EMS meeting point to meet emergency responders and direct them to the injured participant.
3.5. FIRST AID: Retrieve the QVS first aid kit as required. First aid should only be provided within the limits of the individual's training and competence.
3.6. AFTERWARDS: Notify a QVS Organizer and complete the digital QVS Injury and Safety Incident Report.
Emergency Roles
Charge Person
Normally a Team Captain or Organizer who:
● remains with the injured participant;● coordinates the immediate emergency response;
● assesses whether emergency medical assistance is required;
● ensures the participant is not unnecessarily moved where a serious head, neck or spinal injury is suspected;
● coordinates first aid within the limits of available training; and
● remains with the participant until emergency medical services arrive or responsibility for care is transferred.
Call Person
Another Team Captain, League Organizer or responsible person who:
● calls 911 where emergency medical assistance is required,● states that the emergency is at Clinton Park SW Field, 2690 Grant St, Vancouver,
● identifies the SW Field,
● describes the nature of the emergency,
● provides the approximate age and condition of the participant where known,
● follows the dispatcher's instructions,
● remains on the telephone until instructed to disconnect, and;
● proceeds, or directs another person, to the designated EMS meeting point to meet and direct emergency responders.
Emergency Access
Primary EMS Access: Emergency medical services (EMS), fire, and police can best access Clinton SW Field from the west side of the field via Penticton Street.Primary EMS Meeting Point: The appropriate pedestrian field access point from Penticton Street, based on the location of the emergency, as identified on the EAP field layout.
Ambulance Stopping Point: The closest practical stopping point on Penticton Street adjacent to the applicable field access point, as directed by emergency services. There is no vehicle access onto the playing fields. Emergency responders will proceed from the applicable access point to the SW Field on foot and/or with appropriate emergency equipment.
The Call Person, or another person designated by them, should proceed to the applicable access point to meet emergency responders and direct them to the injured participant.
The EAP field layout will identify:● access from Penticton Street;
● pedestrian/responder access points;
● responder routes to the SW Field; and
● designated meeting points for directing emergency responders.
Access routes and gates must be kept clear during QVS activities. QVS should verify that the identified emergency access routes remain available at the beginning of each outdoor season and following any construction or access changes.
First Aid Equipment
QVS first aid kits will be located adjacent to the soccer fields on the QVS sidelines during sanctioned activities.SW Field: QVS sideline
Team Captains and League Organizers should know the location of the applicable first aid kit before play begins.
AED Availability
AED Availability: No AED is available at Clinton Park that QVS has confirmed as accessible during sanctioned QVS activities.In the event of a suspected cardiac arrest, immediately call 911 and follow the instructions of the emergency dispatcher.
CPR should be commenced by a person able to do so while awaiting emergency medical services. If an AED becomes available during the emergency, it should be retrieved and used in accordance with its instructions.
After the Emergency
Following a significant injury or safety incident:1. Ensure the immediate safety of the remaining participants.
2. Notify a QVS League Organizer as soon as reasonably practicable.
3. Complete the digital QVS Injury and Safety Incident Report (Appendix A).
4. Report any field or facility-related hazard requiring corrective action to the League Organizers.
EAP Review
This EAP should be reviewed before each outdoor season and whenever QVS becomes aware of a change affecting emergency access, first aid equipment or AED availability.Last verified:
Verified by: