Safe sport refers to an environment that prioritizes the physical and psychological well-being of all participants. It involves a commitment to providing optimal experiences, while actively preventing and addressing all forms of maltreatment, including abuse, harassment, neglect, and discrimination. Advancing safe sport is a shared responsibility that requires awareness, education, and clear actions for reporting. This page provides resources and guidance to help advance safe sport in Gymnastics.
If you witness or experience inappropriate conduct, we encourage you to speak up. Prompt reporting helps ensure concerns are addressed effectively and contributes to a stronger, safer sport environment.
The Protecting Youth in Sport Act
The Protecting Youth in Sports Act enhances protection measures for young athletes in Manitoba’s sport system. All Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs), including Manitoba Gymnastics Association, must adhere to the following requirements:
- Adopt the policies outlined in the Safe Sport Policy Manual.
- Make safe sport information available to parents and young athletes.
- Ensure coaches complete required screening and training.
- Ensure all participants have access to report allegations of maltreatment to an Independent Third Party (ITP).
- Refer any allegations of maltreatment to the ITP if our organization receives such complaints.
- Enforce any disciplinary action determined by the ITP.
Report a Complaint
ITP Sport is sponsible for overseeing all allegations of maltreatment as appointed by the Protecting Youth in Sport Act. If a maltreatment complaint is submitted to a coach, official, volunteer or staff member, the complaint must be referred to the ITP.
Additionally, Manitoba Gymnastics Association has partnered with ITP Sport to manage all other non-maltreatment complaints. With decades of experience and unmatched expertise, ITP Sport is at the forefront of the Safe Sport movement, delivering top-tier complaint management services to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all. This ensures all reports are reviewed by neutral, qualified professionals who are independent from the organization.
Reporting a maltreatment complaint may seem confusing and overwhelming. The following resources can help you navigate the process:
Maltreatment Complaint Process Flowchart
Manitoba Gymnastics Association is committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for everyone involved in our sport. To support this commitment, the MGA is pleased to introduce SafeZone, a resource designed to help participants, leadership, and representatives navigate concerns, conflicts, and the complaint process.
SafeZone provides a confidential, welcoming space where individuals can ask questions, share experiences, and receive guidance on issues such as harassment, bullying, abuse, or other forms of maltreatment.
Whether you are an athlete, coach, parent, official, or club representative, SafeZone offers personalized support to help you understand your options and take confident steps forward.
SafeZone is here to help you understand your options before deciding to file a complaint. We can assist you in navigating questions such as:
- What steps can I take to resolve a conflict before filing a formal complaint?
- What does the complaint process look like within the MGA?
- How do I know whether my issue should be addressed by the club or by the MGA?
If you are unsure about what to do next, you can reach out to SafeZone to share your concerns, explore options, and gain clarity without fear of judgment.
Club administrators play a critical role in the MGA’s safe sport system. SafeZone is available to provide support with:
- Understanding Manitoba Gymnastics Association’s jurisdiction and determining when an issue should be addressed locally versus when it needs to be escalated to the MGA.
- Navigating complex issues within the discipline process, including items to consider before implementing decisions.
- Interpreting policies and processes to ensure they align with MGA’s expectations.
Our goal is to equip you with the confidence to manage situations effectively and escalate appropriately when necessary.
- A confidential and non-judgmental space to share concerns and ask questions.
- Emotional support and an opportunity to talk through challenges you have experienced or witnessed.
- Guidance on available options and support in understanding possible next steps.
- Information on MGA’s complaint processes, jurisdiction, and additional resources.
Reaching out to SafeZone does not mean you are filing a formal complaint. All conversations remain confidential unless you choose to take further action.
If you are facing a challenging situation, have questions about the complaint process, or need support in addressing an issue, SafeZone is here to help. To contact SafeZone, please reach out by email at safezone@itpsport.ca.
Manitoba Safe Sport Resources
- Safe Sport Policy Manual
- Policies outlining behaviour expectations for all sport stakeholders, procedures for handling complaints, appeal procedures, and coach education and screening requirements.
- Safe Sport Tips for Athletes
- Age appropriate tips for athletes under 8, ages 9–12, and 13+, describing expected behaviour, measures for their protection, and steps to take if they experience harm, with the 13+ group also having access to a 20-minute safe sport education online module.
- Safe Sport Handbook for Parents and Guardians
- Information detailing behaviour expectations, different forms of maltreatment, possible indicators that a child experienced maltreatment, and steps to take if a child experienced maltreatment.
- Sport Manitoba’s Safe Sport Page
- This contains additional safe sport resources.
- Coach Screening Policy
- All Manitoba Gymnastics Association coaches and is authorized or recognized by an organization to provide instruction and direction to participants in a sport must complete the necessary coach screening requirements outlined in this policy.
- Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders
- This course must be completed within sixty (60) days of being assigned a coaching position. Coaches maintain their Respect in Sport certification status by completing the course every five (5)
years.
- This course must be completed within sixty (60) days of being assigned a coaching position. Coaches maintain their Respect in Sport certification status by completing the course every five (5)
- Safe Sport Line
- If you or someone you know is experiencing maltreatment in sport, and you need someone to talk to, contact the safe sport line at 1-833-656-SAFE (7233) or help@safesportline.ca.
Other Safe Sport Resources
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- SafeSport Gym Education
- Gymcan’s Safe Sport Page
- Gymcan’s Safe Sport Resources
- CAC Safesport Training
- Commit 2 Kids for Coaches eLearning
- Mental Health in Sport eLearning
- Leading Drug Free Sport eLearning
- TrueSport Clean 101 eLearning
- Suicide Crisis Line – Phone/Text – 9-8-8
- Canadian Centre for Child Protection
Suspended and Expelled Members
Membership with Manitoba Gymnastics and Gymnastics Canada, is a privilege and all members must commit to creating a safe environment for all participants. Membership may be suspended or permanently withdrawn from a member. The following is a list of the individuals who have been suspended or expelled by Manitoba Gymnastics specifically. The list is not intended to be a complete historical record of current or past members who have been suspended or expelled. Instead, it serves as a list of current or past members who are suspended at the present time or expelled from membership.
MGA Suspended and Expelled Member List
For Gymnastics Canada and it’s other provincial or territorial associations list of Suspended or Expelled Members visit Gymcan’s Safesport webpage.
Rule of Two
The goal of the Rule of Two is to ensure all interactions and communications are open, observable, and justifiable. Its purpose is to protect participants and coaches in potentially vulnerable situations by ensuring more than one adult is present. For more information on our Rule of 2 policy visit our Policies and Procedures page!
Rule of Two Resources
Concussion
Concussions can occur while participating in any sport or recreational activity. Since the circumstances under which a concussion can be sustained are so varied, it’s important for all coaches, parents, and athletes to be aware of the signs, symptoms, and what to do if a concussion occurs. The MGA is committed to increased education, awareness, and established protocols that will assist you in gaining the knowledge and skills required ensuring the safety of your athletes. We can all work together to ensure a safe sport environment. For more information on our Concussion policy visit our Policies and Procedures page!
Concussion Resources