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SSA Information Release: Understanding the Two Same-gender Rule at SSA Competitions
2019-03-07
March 7, 2018
To All Members:It has recently come to light that CBC had published a story regarding gender balance on the coaching bench during a provincial championship. We wanted to address this matter and provide clarity regarding the situation at hand in order to continue education regarding safeguarding our game and our athletes.
Anytime during competition when there is a forfeiture or disqualification during a provincial competition is unfortunate action, however, preventable. Provincial Competition rulebooks are released well in advance of the competition and it is the responsibility of the member organization and teams who enter to ensure they are in compliance with the rulebook. It is also important to note, that we cannot change the rules or the rulebook mid-competition.
Teams and organizations have the right, if they so choose, to protest a match. The protest must be considered if it is filed in accordance with the process laid out through the competition rulebook. No team or organization should be admonished for expecting the rules to be enforced.
We pride ourselves on staying true to our mission, vision and values and have a responsibility to safeguard the athletes and the game. The safety of athletes is non-negotiable, and we must all work diligently to ensure the appropriate measures are both in place and lived on a daily basis. The enforcement of rules and policy is fundamental to the action of safeguarding athletes.
In 2015, two years in advance of the 2017 implementation, we began informing membership about the new standard of ensuring that 2 members of the Coaching Staff or Team Personnel must be the same gender as the players. The rule came into effect in 2017 and has remained consistent since.
In 2015 and 2016 the message being communicated was:
- Beginning in 2015 it is recommended that two members of the Coaching Staff or Team Personnel on the bench be of the same gender as the players in order to ensure the maintenance of a gender representative on the bench in the event that a player is injured or dismissed and required to leave the playing field.
- In 2015, it is recommended that one of the gender representatives be a member of the Coaching Staff (i.e. Head, Assistant or Apprentice Coach) and that all Developmental/Apprentice Coaches be of the same gender as the players in preparation for the implementation of rule 8.aa)iii in 2017.
- Beginning in 2017, rule 8.aa)ii will become a requirement for participation in the Soccer for Life Indoor Youth Provincial Championships.
- Beginning in 2017, a minimum of one coach of the same gender as the players must be on the bench for all games.
- Two members of the Coaching Staff or Team Personnel on the bench must be of the same gender as the players in order to ensure the maintenance of a gender representative on the bench in the event that a player is injured or dismissed and required to leave the playing field.
We believe these athlete safety policies are something to celebrate as we continue to look for ways to safeguard our game. The above rule implementation in 2017 does not detract from coaching participation from either male or female coaches.
Safeguarding our sport and our athletes cannot happen in isolation. We must work together, united, to ensure the appropriate policies, measures and accountability framework is in place so that the tireless work of coaches, volunteers, parents and technical leaders leads to the best possible experience for every athlete.
The SSA has recently taken the pledge to join the Responsible Coaching Movement and we encourage all our Member Organizations to take the pledge with us. (Take the Pledge)
Soccer is a powerful tool to develop great people, enrich the lives of its participants and connect healthy communities throughout this province and across Canada. We remain steadfast in our commitment to continually adapt to safeguard our participants who are at the heart of everything we do.
For more information please contact Saskatchewan Soccer Association Director of Soccer, Rahim Mohamed (dos@sasksoccer.com).