Hockey Nova Scotia has teamed up with the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre to introduce a new program this season following an incident involving two young players facing hazing-related charges earlier this year. Over 2,000 boys and girls playing on under-15 teams across different skill levels will take part in specialized training covering topics such as leadership, consent, and sexual assault prevention.
Mike Field, the executive director of Hockey Nova Scotia, mentioned that despite existing training for coaches and volunteers, they identified the need for additional focus in this area and are grateful for the partnership with Avalon in addressing these crucial issues. The initiative stemmed from numerous requests for assistance received by Avalon from concerned parents and coaches after the Truro-area minor hockey players, both aged 14, were charged with offenses, including sexual assault, in a hazing incident earlier this year.
Kailee Wakeman, the director of operations at Avalon, expressed the center’s proactive response by reaching out to Hockey Nova Scotia. Initially, a webinar was developed for parents and coaches to engage young athletes on these critical topics following the charges. The current pilot project builds upon this webinar, with considerations for expansion to other age groups in the future.
The program aims to instill a positive team culture by conducting two educational sessions for U15 players. The sessions cover various topics, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment, understanding agency and body autonomy, recognizing different forms of harm, and promoting responsible leadership to address problematic behaviors within the team.
Dee Dooley, an education advisor at Dalhousie University specializing in sexual violence prevention, stressed the significance of individuals in shaping team culture and influencing positive change within sports communities. Young athletes are encouraged to recognize their role in fostering a positive environment and understand the impact of their actions on team dynamics.
According to Avalon staff, fostering strong connections within the team environment not only contributes to success on the field but also nurtures a culture of respect and camaraderie. Wakeman highlighted feedback from varsity athletes indicating that a positive team culture is directly linked to achieving success in sports.
Overall, the collaborative efforts between Hockey Nova Scotia and the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre aim to promote a safe and supportive sporting environment, emphasizing the role of individuals in creating a culture that nurtures respect, leadership, and teamwork.