Safeguarding and Player Welfare
At Crush F.C. in Burlington, Ontario, every child's safety and wellbeing comes first. Our policy requires every coach and volunteer to be screened and trained before working with players. We follow Ontario's Rowan's Law on concussion, and any family can raise a concern with our safeguarding lead at any time, in confidence.
Our safeguarding lead
Our safeguarding lead looks after every concern about a child's safety or wellbeing. Any family, player, coach or volunteer can contact them in confidence.
Report a concernHow are coaches and volunteers screened?
Every coach and volunteer completes a police or vulnerable sector check, Respect in Sport training, first aid and the Code of Conduct before working with players, and renews each one before it expires. Coach profiles show a badge for each verified check.
What is the Rule of Two?
Two screened adults are present or within sight whenever coaches are with players. Coaches communicate with players through group channels that include parents, and never through private messages.
What happens after a head injury?
Any player with a suspected concussion is removed from play right away, following Ontario's Rowan's Law. The player returns only after a medical doctor or nurse practitioner clears them. Families and coaches review Ontario's concussion awareness resources every year.
How are photos of children handled?
We never publish a player's name with a photo. Images of children appear only with a parent's consent, which you control in the family portal, and you can withdraw consent at any time.
Report a concern
Safety in practice
How we respond and how you can help
What happens after I send a report?
Your report goes straight to our safeguarding lead, who reviews it in confidence. If you shared a way to reach you, they may follow up to understand what happened. Where the law requires it, the club reports concerns to a children's aid society or the police, and the child's safety always comes first.
What is Ontario's duty to report?
Under Ontario's Child, Youth and Family Services Act, anyone who has reasonable grounds to suspect a child is at risk of harm must report it directly to a children's aid society. You do not need proof. You can make that call yourself and also tell the club.
How can parents help keep players safe?
Talk with your child about who they can go to if something feels wrong, and remind them they will never be in trouble for speaking up. Read the Code of Conduct together, keep your contact details up to date, and tell the coach right away about any injury or health change.
Safeguarding questions
Common questions about player safety
Can I report a concern anonymously?
Yes. The safety form on this page lets you leave your name and contact details blank, and every anonymous report is read and taken seriously. We can follow up with you only if you share a way to reach you. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
Who can read safety reports?
Only the Crush F.C. safeguarding lead and the club owner can read reports sent through the safety form. Where the law requires it, the club shares information with a children's aid society or the police to protect the child. Every report is handled with care and discretion.
What is Rowan's Law?
Rowan's Law is Ontario's concussion safety law for amateur sport, named after Rowan Stringer, a young rugby player from Ottawa. It asks players, parents and coaches to review concussion awareness resources every year, and it sets out removal from sport and return to sport steps. Crush F.C. follows it at every session and game.
What should I do if my child tells me something worrying?
Stay calm, listen and thank your child for telling you. Avoid leading questions, and write down what they said in their own words. Then contact our safeguarding lead through the safety form, and call 911 or your local children's aid society if your child may be at risk now.
Last updated October 27, 2026
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