Soccer Nova Scotia Volunteer Screening Policy

Soccer Nova Scotia (SNS) is committed to creating and maintaining a sport environment in which all participants are provided some protection against known child abusers or people with serious criminal records. Implementation of the following policy will also help minimize liability for volunteer directors at all levels of soccer in Nova Scotia.

In keeping with this policy, SNS requires that all districts, leagues and clubs join the effort mandated by the Canadian Soccer Association in mandating that by 2004 any person listed as an official on a team sheet/roster of any team in Nova Scotia must be Canadian Policy Information Computer cleared, hereinafter referred to as “CPIC” cleared. For this purpose a CPIC clearance is valid for a maximum of 36 months. 

Soccer Nova Scotia requires mandatory CPIC clearances in the following situations effective January 27, 2004:

• That all SNS coaches and staff working with provincial teams or regional training centres are to be CPIC cleared and a copy of the current regional SNS Harassment Policy will be attached to all future staff contracts;
• That effective with 2004 CSA Competitions all staff persons listed on a team roster of a Provincial All-Star Team or a Provincial Club Team, going to a CSA National Championship must have been CPIC cleared prior to the starting date of the respective CSA competition. For this purpose a CPIC clearance is valid for a maximum of 24 months. 

Implementation

SNS Discipline and Appeals Committee will deal with any appeals arising from a CPIC clearance of a member of the SNS Provincial Coaching staff or any coach of duly recognized club/team. All appeal hearings will be held in absolute strict confidence. The appellant would be responsible for providing any documentation or police presence needed to explain why his or her past record/behaviour should be a non-issue in determining his or her continuing ability to participate in the sport. There should also be a final right of appeal to the CSA Appeals Committee. 

Education

SNS will regularly review all of its coaching education material to include appropriate updated information and guidance on the issue of protecting its youth from any potential sexual abuse or breach of SNS Harassment policy.
SNS will create a special page on the SNS website dealing with the topic of how to avoid potential child abuse in soccer and the mandatory CPIC Clearance Policy.

Coach’s Responsibilities

To ensure all players have an enjoyable and safe sporting experience while learning the fundamentals of soccer. 

• Our Technical staff is available and are regularly assigned to assist you in organizing and running your training sessions. It is important that you contact the Head Coach or the appropriate Coordinator in the event that you cannot attend your regularly scheduled practice. Staff will be assigned to make sure that the team is covered. 
• HDSC is developing a Resource Library of written and filmed material to assist coaches with their program. Please contact the HDSC Head Coach.
• HDSC will also be offering an ongoing series of Coach Development Programs throughout the year. Please contact the HDSC Head Coach for further information.
• Please utilize the staff when they are present. HDSC staff are fully certified and experienced players and coaches who are there to assist you and to improve the quality of training for the players. The staff will do everything they can to make you as comfortable as possible with their presence and are flexible in the manner in which they are utilized. 
• In the event that they’re any problems associated with the running of your team, staff availability, or simply scheduling, please do not hesitate to contact the Head Coach. Most situations can be corrected with improved communication. HDSC will work to answer any concerns as quickly as possible.