September 26, 2006
Respect In Sport Program Planned For Manitoba Coaches
Respect In Sport Program Planned For Manitoba Coaches- - -
Sheldon Kennedy To be Official Spokesperson
The Manitoba government in partnership with Sport Manitoba plans to launch an online, provincewide program for all coaches to help ensure sports are positive and safe for Manitoba children and youth, Culture, Tourism and Heritage Minister Eric Robinson, minister responsible for sport, announced today.
Former NHL hockey player and author Sheldon Kennedy will be the honourary spokesperson for the Respect in Sport program.
“This program is an important tool to help kids get the positive benefits of organized sport without the negatives that can occur,” said Robinson. “I am very pleased Sheldon Kennedy will be the spokesperson for Respect in Sport, as he is a champion of protecting players across Canada.”
Respect in Sport is a grassroots online tool that helps sport and community organizations deliver on their commitment to create a safer environment for all participants. As a delivery partner of the Canadian Red Cross – RespectED curriculum, Respect in Sport provides an Internet-based training tool that promotes respect, helps to prevent abuse and creates a simple process to promote a safe haven for children and young adults. Through this education, coaches are better equipped to help youth build self-esteem, learn the value of participating in sport, experience the thrill of participation and still have fun.
“Coaches are at the forefront of our sport delivery system,” said Sport Manitoba president and CEO Jeff Hnatiuk. “Through education, we are committed to developing the best coaches possible. Respect in Sport complements their certification requirements and we look at all coaches and all participants in all the sports we recognize in Manitoba to benefit from this program.”
The minister noted that with Respect in Sport, Manitoba has become the first province in Canada to take this proactive step in making sport a safer, more respectful environment for all participants.
The program is expected to be available to coaches in Manitoba in November.
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