The Trinidad & Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) hosted a two-day course on Safe Sport for Sport Leadership on the 6th and 7th September 2024 from 9:00am – 4:00pm at the National Racquet Centre.
TTOC’s Safe Sport Commission established in May 2024 was part of a legacy item from the recently concluded Commonwealth Youth Games, Trinbago2023. The Commission spearheaded by Mr. Mark Mungal, Safeguarding Specialist, also comprises of professionals from legal, social working and educational fields.
The mandate of the commission is to develop overarching policies and systems for developing a safe sport culture, inclusive of case management and compliance to the guidelines set.
The two day safe sport leadership seminar encouraged participation from sixteen National Sporting Organisations, SPORTT Company, Ministry of Sport & Community Development, Division of Education (THA) and Division of Sport (THA), with facilitation done by Mr. Mark Mungal, Mr. Andre Collins, Mr. Ravi Lutchman, Ms. Renuka Ramoutar and Ms. Maria Thomas.
Leadership personnel, sports administrators, comprising of forty-three (43) persons in total attended the two-day period, were all introduced and exposed to the core principles of safeguarding, the fundamentals tools needed to create a safe environment as well as how develop a safe culture for their communities. They also learned about the legal pillars that support safeguarding and the sport leadership's responsibility in creating and fostering a culture of safety and respect in sport at all levels.
TTOC’s President, Diane Henderson, stated "Safeguarding the welfare of our athletes is not just a responsibility but a moral obligation. TTOC’s Safe Sport Commission are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where every athlete can thrive and reach their full potential, free from harm and exploitation”. “This can only be achieved if we all work together for the betterment of the future of sports”.
She added “By upholding the highest standards of integrity and care, we ensure that our sporting communities and National Federations should be a place where trust and respect are paramount, and where each individual's safety and well-being are fiercely protected. This commitment is fundamental to fostering a positive and empowering sporting culture."
Ronson Hackshaw, Member of the Ministry of Sport and Community Development, said “In was intrigued about the different but important steps that should be taken to and the level in which it should be taken to protect athletes as each sport is entirely different”. “I love that there is a start and focus to protect athletes throughout our country”.
He also added “Safe Sport isn’t something that is new to me, the implementation part of Safeguarding is where I see it being of extreme importance. That is where the Safe Sport Commission plays an integral role, having the right/trained human resources in the right places to protect athletes and athlete support personnel. “I can see where legislation would play a major role to support implementation of this programme as well as our citizens”.
The Sport Leadership course followed on the heels of the successful delivery of three level 1 Introduction to Safe Sport cohorts that were held in the months of June and July 2024. A fourth session will be held in Tobago on Saturday 14th September 2024 for sport coaches, managers and other individuals that work with athletes at all levels.
In the 3rd week of September to 9th October 2024, the Safe Sport Commission would host its first ever Safe Sport Officer training course. This course is aimed at developing individuals to assist sporting organisations in the realm of safe sport either through supporting organisations at policy development, case management, or providing welfare personnel for local and foreign sporting events.