Canadian Safe Sport Program

The Alberta Bicycle Association (ABA) believes that everyone has the right to enjoy the sport at whatever level or position they participate. Athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers have the right to participate in a safe and inclusive training and competitive environment that is free of abuse, harassment or discrimination.

The ABA believes the welfare of everyone involved in the sport is a foremost consideration and in particular the protection of children/athletes in the sport is the responsibility of each individual, member and special interest group in the cycling community. For more information, please contact safesport@cyclingcanada.ca

The ABA has signed the Responsible Coaching Movement Pledge, which applies to all ABA coaches and clubs working with youth and other members considered part of the vulnerable sector (e.g. persons with disabilities). Non-compliance could result in non-affiliation or removal of coaching certification from UCI License.

Person In Authority

Coaches play a vital role in shaping the youth of tomorrow through sport. The ABA relies on them and other persons in authority to be role models and to put young athletes on a path to success. The dynamic between coach and athlete gives rise to a power imbalance and a culture of unquestioned trust that can result in abuse. As such, it is imperative that all persons in positions of authority be held to a high standard of conduct. Abuse in sport, particularly sexual abuse and the grooming behaviour that precedes it, destroys the positive impact of sport and causes untold harm to victims and those around them. Consequently the ABA has a strong obligation to establish and maintain systems that prevent abuse and respond to conduct that poses risk to ABA athletes.

If you want to verify your athletes coach is a trained or certified coach with the ABA they will be  listed at http://www.albertabicycle.ab.ca/alberta-coaches

If you are aware of a suspected incident of abuse, harassment or discrimination in sport and have questions/concerns about the incident, please contact the following third-party resources for help.

• Canadian Sport Helpline – A national toll-free confidential helpline for victims and witnesses of harassment, abuse, and discrimination in sport where victims can speak in confidence to a neutral third-party to report concerns and get help. The helpline is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET), seven days a week at 1-888-83-SPORT (77678) or by email at info@abuse-free-sport.ca.
• The Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) Investigation Unit – To ensure complaints are handled in an unbiased manner and are given all the attention they deserve, The SDRCC acts as a third-party that serves members of the national sport community in helping resolve disputes and ensures that sport organizations are not investigating their own members.