Toolkit

Rowan's Law
Learn More

Learn how to prevent, identify and manage concussions.

Learn More

Key concussion information for athletes.

Learn More
Concussion Guidelines for Athletes
Learn More

Key concussion information for parents and caregivers.

Learn More
Concussion Guidelines for Parents / Caregivers
Learn More

A concussion is a serious injury, but you can recover fully if your brain is given enough time to rest and recuperate.

Returning to normal activities, including sport participation, is a step-wise process that requires patience, attention, and caution.

Learn More
Return to Sport Strategy
Learn More

Each stage is at least 24hours. Move to the next stage only when activities are tolerated without new or worsening symptoms.

If symptoms re-appear, return to the previous stage for at least 24 hours.

If symptoms don’t improve, but continue to get worse, contact your doctor or get medical help immediately.

Learn More
Return to School Strategy
Learn More

Each stage is at least 24 hours. Move to the next stage only when activities are tolerated without new or worsening symptoms.If symptoms re-appear, return to the previous stage for at least 24 hours.If symptoms don’t improve, but continue to get worse, contact your doctor or get medical help immediately.

Learn More
Canadian Concussion Guidelines
Learn More
Resources

Canadian Centre for Gender + Sexual Diversity offers resources for teachers, organizations, politicians, GSA’s, youth, community members and specific gender or sexual orientations. Canadian Centre for Gender + Sexual Diversity has a goal to see a world without discrimination. This goal drives their values, principles and mission to work towards a better world.

This resource covers topics of: Trans, Allyship/GSA, Anti-Discrimination, Sports Inclusion, History and Teaching.

Learn More
Canadian Centre for Gender + Sexual Diversity
Learn More

Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport have a vision for the sport world to be fair, safe and open to all. CCES offers programs and resources to help navigate issues that may arise or threaten a positive sport experience. Some threats of focus are homophobia, racism, exclusion, match fixing and parental behaviour. This resource provides guidance in True Sport, Responsible Coaching Movement, Risk Management, Management by Values, Sport Leaders Retreat and BodySense.

Learn More
Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport
Learn More

The Sport Inclusion Task force was forced by the Canadian Olympic Committee, Professional Golders Association of Canada, Canadian Women & Sport, the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary and Challenge Accepted Collective. The task forces’ goal is to use education and resources to end LGBTQI2S+ bias in sport. The Sport Inclusion website is to support national, provincial/territorial and local/club sport organizations to be diver, inclusive and equitable. In order to support these clubs, the website offers tools, policies, frameworks for organizations to access. The site contains resources and latest news.

Learn More
Sport Inclusion
Learn More

The Canadian Paralympic Committee strongly believes everyone (athlete, coach, officials, volunteers, board members and administrators), should feel like they are valued and belong. The CPC wants everyone to enjoy a safe and welcoming environment where they can feel comfortable. The CPC has a goal to become the world leading Paralympic team by 2022.

In steps to do so, they want to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. Through leadership, governance/policy, communication, programs, attitudes and accountability, it is possible to achieve. The CPC website dives deeper into these factors explaining their commitment, what you see and fundamentals for success.

Learn More
Canadian Paralympic  Committee
Learn More

The Ontario University Association has created an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee to provide insight on issues within the university athletics. The committee has the task of program initiatives, arising concerns with members, intervention and reporting to ensure the practices and policies are reflected of civil liberties protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code. OUA has conducted an Anti-Racism Report alongside the Black, Biracial and Indigenous (BBI) task force to understand the landscape student athletes face in regards to experiences of student-athletes, coaches and sport administrators. Alongside the report, the BBI task force has a platform to create positive change across Ontario through five key issues of: Anti-Racism Policy, Hiring Policies, Education & Anti-Racism training, Financial Access and Mental Health.

Learn More
Ontario University Association
Learn More

The Coaching Association of Canada has numerous resources in their commitment to create an inclusive and diverse coaching environment. CAC has resources in Women in Coaching, Aboriginal Coaching, Working with LGBTQ+ Athletes and Coaches, Coaching Athletes with a Disability and Coaching Master Athletes. Each resource will dive deeper into the topic to focus on Mentorship Programs and Models, Partnerships, Recruitment, Apprenticeships, Guides & Manuals or and community involvement.

Learn More
Coaching Association of Canada
Learn More
Reports

Canada Soccer has created a Guide to Accessibility & Inclusion. The guide covers topics of: Engaging Underrepresented Groups + Reducing Barriers to Participation, Indigenous Peoples, Newcomers and New Canadians, Women in Sport, LGBTQI2S, Mental Health, Religion and Financial Barriers to Participation. Within these topics, the report offers suggestions and ideas on what can be done to improve the experience for anyone involved.

Learn More
Canada Soccer: Guide to Accessibility & Inclusion
Learn More

MLSE Foundation completed the largest study of its kind in Canada to understand the new landscape post-Covid-19 and health restrictions created. In the report it covers league and competitive sports, Sport for Development programs and youth sport opportunities in the community/recreation/public setting in regards to Covid-19, access and engagement and barriers to participation. The 20-page report offers key insights and findings and recommendations moving ahead post-Covid-19.

Learn More
MLSE Foundation: Change the Game Research
Learn More

The Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries have created a report called “ Advancing Opportunities for Women and Girls in Sport”. This 24-page report is an action plan outlining the plans the Province will take to increase the number of women and girls activily participating in sports. Key ideas of the report are to establish an advisory group to identify and remove barriers, create an information sharing platform, all program staff to be trained in diversity and inclusiveness and to promote 60 minutes of physical activity for children and youth.

Learn More
Women in Sports Plan
Learn More

Coaches Association of Ontario’s Safe Sport 101 program, provides coaches with resources that help support optimal health and wellness in their athletes. Participants can experience mental health issues that are related to on and off the field of activities and almost 70% of mental health challenges experienced begin in childhood or youth. Therefore, as a coach it is essential to create an environment where mental wellness is supported and encouraged.

Learn More
Resources for Coaches
Learn More

The Canadian Mental Health Association estimates that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health crisis or be diagnosed with a mental illness. The benefits of physical activity on physical health are well known and documented but being active can also be beneficial to you mental health.

Learn More
Benefits
Learn More

The stigma in sports attached to mental illness is due to the emphasis on appearing physically and mentally fit. Overcoming this stigma and normalizing speaking up about mental health issues is key to combatting the silent struggle for many in the world of sport. The Centre for Addition and Mental Health provides tips for coping with stress and in the world of sport.

Learn More
Risks
Learn More

Mental Health of athletes, coaches and staff is an important component in the experience of high performance sports. Dealing with normal stresses of life are much different for high performance athletes as the athlete’s environment, circumstances, pressures and expectations are very different from non-athletes are not always considered to be ‘normal’. Through research findings, the Canadian Institute of Sport provides information, resources and guidelines to increase awareness of mental health in high performance sport across Canada.

Parachute Canada provides guidelines, information and resources on selecting a helmet, fitting the right helmet properly and types of impact helmets absorb.

Learn More
Mental Health in High Performance Sport
Learn More

Helmets prevent serious brain and head injuries by absorbing the force to the head from a fall or hit. They are recommended for all ages while taking part in recreational activities and are mandated when participating in most organized sports requiring helmets. (By law in Ontario, cyclist under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet).

Learn More
Helmet Safety
Learn More

Athletic Mouthguards are appliances that fit over your teeth to help protect against injuries to the teeth, mouth and surrounding areas. Risk of injury in these areas are common in contact sports but may also be a result of injury or accidents in non-contact sports. Mouthguards act as cushions that absorb a force or blow to the mouth area and may also prevent or lower the risk of other injuries to the head and neck.

Learn More
Mouthguards Usage
Learn More