Members of Team BC, as representatives of the BC sport sector, have expected standards of behaviour and conduct.  Ensure you are fully aware of the policies within this document as to avoid any unnecessary conflict or situation.  The policies are based on a common sense approach, and are in keeping with other provincial and territorial practice.

The Rules and Policies can  also be found in the Code of Conduct document.

RULES

Rule of Two - Team BC supports the principles of the ‘Rule of Two’ as established by the Coaching Association of Canada as part of the Responsible Coaching Movement with the following rules applying to all Team BC activities and individuals:

• Team BC requires that the ‘Rule of Two’ is followed to the maximum extent possible, in that an athlete must never be alone one-on-one with an unrelated person in a position of authority.
  • A person in a position of authority is defined as a Team BC Mission Staff, Team BC Chef or Assistant Chef de Mission, Coach, Manager, Technical Support, or other member of Team BC who is not another athlete.
• Team BC recognizes that abiding by the ‘Rule of Two’ may not be feasible in some instances. Given the dynamics of sport participation and training, participants may train individually or in group environments. A person in a position of authority should be aware of their environment and work to comply with the ‘Rule of Two’ to the fullest extent possible including:
  • Ensuring the training/program/meeting environment is visible and accessible so that all interactions are observable or within earshot of another adult or other athlete.
  • A person in a position of authority may not invite or host an athlete in their dorm room or home or hotel room.
• It is strongly recommended that at least two persons in position of authority are with an athlete or groups of athletes.

Respect for Others- All members of Team BC will show respect for the social and cultural values of their own team members, other Team BC athletes and personnel, officials, athletes from other provinces and territories, and Host Society personnel (staff, volunteers, spectators, and service personnel). Participants will refrain from comments or behavior that is disrespectful, offensive, abusive, racist, or sexist. All participants are expected to behave in such a manner contributes to an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect, supports equal opportunities, and prohibits discriminatory practices.

Unbecoming Conduct - All members of Team BC will represent British Columbia with dignity, personal integrity, and within the spirit of fair play at all times. Unbecoming conduct is any behavior or comments which do or could tarnish the image or reputation of Team BC, the BC Games Society, the Province of British Columbia, partners, or participants. Being a member of Team BC is an honour and should be treated as such.

Dress Code - All Team BC members will receive ceremonial clothing for the Games and will be required to wear it at Team BC functions, Games ceremonies and other designated occasions, including travel days. Team BC competitive clothing must be blue with white, red or gold trim, as per the Canada Games Council Handbook.

Curfew - All athletes, coaches, and managers will stay in their assigned accommodations in the Athletes’ Village and will abide by the 11 p.m. quiet time and midnight curfew throughout the Games. If an athlete, coach, or manager is late checking into their accommodation, or does not check in at all, they are considered to have broken curfew.

Use of Alcohol - Team BC has a zero tolerance for the consumption of alcohol by minors at any time during the Games or during travel to or from the Games. A minor is defined by the laws of British Columbia. Minors found possessing any alcohol will have the items confiscated and will be subjected to further discipline. A minor who is obviously intoxicated, has alcohol on their breath, and/or is seen consuming alcohol, will be subjected to further disciplinary procedures, and considered a major infraction.

Adults (19 years of age or older while in BC, or the legal age of the Host Province or Territory) shall not possess or consume alcohol anywhere in the Athletes’ Village, nor shall they be under the influence of alcohol at any time while they are performing their official duties as a member of Team BC. Official duties include, but are not exclusive to, coaching, competing as an athlete, participating in ceremonies, receptions, rallies, etc. A Team BC adult who is intoxicated, has alcohol on their breath, and/or is seen consuming alcohol in the Athletes’ Village will be subjected to further disciplinary procedures. Consumption of alcohol in the Coaches' Lounge is an exception for coaches of the legal drinking age.

Use of Tobacco Products - Tobacco products are defined as cigarettes, e-cigarettes, snuff, or other tobacco products. Adults shall refrain from smoking in the Athletes’ Village, at all official Team BC activities or functions, and at competition sites, and shall exercise discretion so as to not adversely affect the athletes. Minors shall not use any tobacco products, including snuff, and e-cigarettes at any time during the Games, or during travel to or from the Games.

Use of Cannabis Products - No Team BC member who is under the legal age will be in possession of cannabis nor can they use cannabis at any time, unless prescribed medical cannabis by their physician, and in possession of the appropriate documentation. Participants of legal age, is not permitted to use cannabis, unless prescribed by a physician, in any form on any premises of the Athletes' Village, in public (with the exception of public spaces where smoking is allowed), or in hotels, as per the by-laws of the Host Community and Province/Territory, nor shall they be under the influence of cannabis at any time while they are performing their official duties as a member of Team BC. Official duties include, but are not exclusive to, coaching, competing as an athlete, participating in ceremonies, receptions, pep rallies, etc. A Team BC participant of legal age who is showing signs being under the influence while performing their official duties as a member of Team BC or is seen using cannabis in the locations mentioned above, will be subjected to further disciplinary procedures.

Use an/or Abuse Of An Illegal Drug Substance - All Team BC members will be “drug free” except for medication prescribed by a physician that has been declared to the Team BC Medical Manager and Host Society medical staff and through the Team BC registration system. There will be zero tolerance for the possession of or use of illegal drug substances by any member of Team BC. An athlete found in possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia or using illegal drugs will be subject to disciplinary procedures, and the incident will be treated as a major infraction.

POLICIES

Drugs, Doping Penalties, and Fair Play - Team BC and the Canada Games Council strongly embrace the concept of Fair Play in Sport, and unequivocally oppose cheating, which includes the use of substances and methods banned by the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Team BC and the Canada Games Council will assist in whatever manner possible to implement Fair Play initiatives and a Drug Education Policy.

Team BC and the Canada Games Council recognize the Canadian Policy on Penalties for Doping in Sport (endorsed by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, adopted by Fitness and Amateur Sport and National Sport Organizations) and will honour suspensions of athletes or others determined to have committed doping or doping-related infractions. Therefore, any person under suspension by their National/Territorial/Provincial Sport Organization shall be ineligible to participate in the Canada Summer Games, as per the Canada Games Council policy.

There may be testing for performance enhancing drugs at the Canada Winter Games and Canada Summer Games. Team BC encourages participants to be aware of banned substances and the consequences associated with their use. For more information, contact the Team BC Medical Manager.

Safe Guarding Policy - The foundation of the Team BC program is the BC Games Culture of the Games principles that outline and describe the expectations of those associated with Team BC (which are outlined at the beginning of this document).

Team BC believes that creating a safe environment is a collective effort and requires the awareness and action of all coaches, volunteers, athletes, Mission Staff, sport and recreation organizations, local clubs and associations, schools, all levels of government, and everyone associated with Team BC.

The BC Games Society accepts the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to protect everyone involved with the Games from both intentional and unintentional harm. As such Team BC will:

• support and adopt best practices and processes that promote a safe environment;
• communicate and make available information about the rights and roles and responsibilities of all individuals involved in the Games;
• ensure that reporting processes and procedures are documented and accessible;
• ensure information regarding identifying and responding to signs of abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and other safeguarding concerns is accessible;
• ensure processes are in place to receive reports of incidents/concerns, that appropriate action is taken, and that support is available to the individual(s) who raise or disclose the concern;
• ensure that confidential, detailed, and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored;
• ensure the registration processes include the agreement to the code of conduct and the Culture of the Games principles; and

prioritize the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, including athletes, coaches, and volunteers.

Team BC will appoint a Safe Sport Lead for each Games. Contact information will be available to all athletes and coaches as well as through the Mission Staff and the Team BC mission office.

Team BC will take seriously any infractions of the Code of Conduct, rules, or policies. If a Team BC participant or someone else is in an uncomfortable situation and unsure about what to do, please report this to the Team BC Safe Sport Lead.

Flag Bearer Selection - The selection committee for the Team BC Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony flag bearers shall consist of the Chef de Mission, Assistant Chef, Operations Manager, and Communications Manager. Alternates may be assigned to this committee should availability be a challenge.

Team BC Opening Ceremony flag bearer will be selected from PSO submissions by the prescribed deadline. Criteria for selection will include athletic achievement, volunteer service, academics, and leadership. The selected athlete will be notified by the Chef de Mission one week prior to the Opening Ceremony.   The Team BC Closing Ceremony flag bearer will be selected from PSO submissions one day prior to the Closing Ceremony. Criteria for selection will include Games performance, volunteer service, academics, and leadership. The selected athlete will be notified by the Chef de Mission no later than the morning of the Closing Ceremony.

Support for Nursing Coaches - Team BC supports equal coaching opportunities for females and recognizes the limitations a female coach with a nursing infant faces in regards to participating in the Games.

If the infant must accompany the mother and would otherwise preclude the mother from attending the Games, a caregiver can be requested to assist with the caring of the infant while the mother performs her coaching duties. An infant is defined as less than 12 months old and requires nursing care. Special cases of an infant over the age of 12 months will be taken into consideration.

The Canada Games Council will work with the Host Society and Team BC on making the decision of whether to grant the request in question. If approved, the Host Society will secure appropriate accommodation for the caregiver, infant, and coach outside of the Games' Village.

Costs related to the accommodation, caregiver per diem, and additional relative expenses will be the responsibility of Team BC.