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Rule of Two Policy

Rule of Two Policy

PURPOSE

FC Durham Academy (FCD) has developed the Rule of Two Policy for the safety of our players and coaches in accordance with Canada Soccer’s Guide to Safety.

When an FCD Coach, Volunteer Coach, Assistant Coach or Manager is in a potentially vulnerable situation with any FCD player, two Persons of Authority must be present.

The Coaching Association of Canada Soccer’s Rule of Two, and Canada Soccer’s Rule of Two guidelines state that there will always be two screened and NCCP-trained or certified coaches with an athlete in situations where the athlete is potentially vulnerable.

As FCD strives to meet this Gold Standard, when 2 NCCP-trained or certified coaches are not available, a person of authority can be a screened FCD coach (staff or volunteer), team official, staff member, and/or the player’s parent/guardian.

One-on-one interaction between a coach and an athlete, without another individual present, must be avoided in all circumstances except medical emergencies.

In any one-on-one situation with any FCD player, there must be a Coach, Assistant Coach or Manager of the same gender present, or the player's parent/guardian must be present.

STANDARDS

Travel

A Person in Authority may not be alone in a car with an athlete unless the Person in Authority is the athlete’s parent or guardian. A Person in Authority may not share a room or be alone in a hotel room with an athlete unless the Person in Authority is the athlete’s parent or guardian. Room or bed checks during overnight stays must be done by two Persons in Authority.

Locker Room / Changing Area / Meeting Room

Interactions between a Person in Authority and an individual athlete should not occur in any room where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy such as the locker room, meeting room, washroom, or changing area. A second Person in Authority should be present for all necessary interactions in any such room. If Persons in Authority are not present in the locker room or changing area, or if they are not permitted to be present, they should still be available outside the locker room or changing area and be able to enter the room or area if required.

Training / Competition Environment

A Person in Authority should never be alone with an athlete prior to or following a game or practice unless the Person in Authority is the athlete’s parent or guardian. If the athlete is the first athlete to arrive, the athlete’s parent should remain until another athlete or Person in Authority arrives. Similarly, if an athlete would potentially be alone with a Person in Authority following a game or practice, the Person in Authority should ask another Person in Authority (or a parent or guardian of another athlete) to stay until all the athletes have been picked up. If an adult is not available then another athlete should be present in order to avoid the Person in Authority being alone with a single athlete. Persons in Authority giving instructions, demonstrating skills, or facilitating drills or lessons to an individual athlete should always be doing so within earshot and eyesight of another Person in Authority.

Gender Identity

For teams consisting of athletes of just one gender identity, a Person in Authority of the same gender identity should be available to participate or attend every interaction. For teams consisting of athletes of more than one gender identity (e.g., coed teams), a Person in Authority of each gender identity should be available to participate or attend every interaction.