Rule Of Two

The Winnipeg South End United Soccer Club’s Rule of Two states that there will always be two screened and certified coaches with an athlete in situations where an athlete is potentially vulnerable. These situations extend to any situation whether in-person or on-line and includes any form of communication whether in-person, email, or other electronic communication.

If a screened and certified coach is unavailable, screened volunteers (such as managers, support personnel, chaperones, and directors of the club or organization) should be available instead. If screened volunteers are not available, and the parent/guardian of the athlete is not present, parents of other athletes should be asked to temporarily substitute. If another adult is not available, there should always be more than one athlete with the coach (this final option is the lowest standard and not recommended).

When travelling, a Person in Authority may never:

• Be alone in a care with the athlete unless the Person in Authority is the athlete’s parent/guardian
• Share a room or be alone in a hotel room with an athlete
• Complete room or bed checks alone - there must always be two Persons in Authority present.

When athletes are in the locker room/changing area/meeting room, a Person in Authority may never:

• Interact with an individual athlete - a second Person in Authority must be present for all necessary interactions in any such room.
• The Person in Authority should be available outside the locker room or changing area and be able to enter the room or area if required (i.e. injury or immediate danger to athlete).

When at training or in a competitive environment, a Person in Authority may never:

• Be alone with an athlete prior to or following a game or practice unless the Person in Authority is the athlete’s parent/guardian.
• Prior to or after a practice if an athlete is the first to arrive or may be the last to leave the Person in Authority should always seen out a second Person in Authority to stay until all athletes arrive or leave the game or practice.
• If no adult is available, a second athlete should be present in order to avoid the Person in Authority to be alone with a single athlete.