Hockey Canada enhances commitment to safe sport and cultural change in hockey
CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada is pleased to announce a renewed and expanded commitment to preventive education in safe sport through a multi-year extension of its partnership with Respect Group, continuing a long-standing relationship between the organizations to make hockey safer at all levels of the game make.
Through this investment, Hockey Canada will work with Respect Group to collaborate and develop new, age-appropriate player programs while optimizing the ongoing delivery of existing Respect Group online training courses with Hockey Canada member branches.
“Age-appropriate, player-centric education is the next logical step in improving our Respect in Sport curriculum, and we are thrilled to partner with Hockey Canada to develop these tools,” said Sheldon Kennedy, co-founder of Respect Group, children’s advocate and former NHL player. “This shows how committed both of our organizations are to bringing about change in hockey.”
Hockey Canada recognizes that there is still work to be done to drive cultural change in the game, and the extension of the partnership with Respect Group reflects the organization’s commitment to providing safe and respectful environments for participants to enjoy the sport from basic to peak performance.
“Hockey Canada is thrilled to partner with Respect Group to pursue our shared desire to make meaningful change in hockey by promoting a safe, respectful and inclusive experience for all participants,” said the Hon. Hugh L. Fraser, Board Chairman of Hockey Canada. “We were one of the first organizations to fully subscribe to Abuse Free Sports and the Office of the Sports Integrity Officer, and also established the Independent Third Party, an additional confidential reporting mechanism for complaints of ice hockey-related abuse from anyone associated with Hockey Canada via beyond the national level.
“The investment in preventive education announced today represents another part of Hockey Canada’s commitment to transforming the culture of sport, including through enhanced sports safety initiatives. Our efforts in this area will continue and more announcements will be made in the not too distant future.”
In the first two months, the Hockey Canada Board of Directors met for over 80 hours and continues to work extensively with stakeholders to restore confidence in the organization.