POLICIES & SAFE SPORT
Creating a safe place to play, learn and grow.
At BC SWISH Basketball Club, we believe basketball should be about more than the game.
We are committed to developing great players and even better people by creating an environment where athletes can learn, compete, grow and have fun while being treated with respect and dignity.
As a Basketball BC Member Club, BC SWISH is committed to meeting Basketball BC's Safe Sport requirements and maintaining an environment free from abuse, harassment, discrimination, bullying and other forms of maltreatment.
Our policies are designed to protect our athletes, support our coaches and volunteers, and give families clear information about how we operate.
SAFE SPORT
The safety and well-being of our athletes comes first.
BC SWISH follows the Safe Sport policies and standards established by Basketball BC. These policies apply to our athletes, coaches, volunteers, parents/guardians and other participants in club activities.
Basketball BC Safe Sport Policies
CODE OF CONDUCT & ETHICS
Everyone involved with SWISH is expected to demonstrate respect, sportsmanship, integrity and appropriate behaviour.
ATHLETE SAFEGUARDING
We are committed to protecting children and youth and providing a safe, athlete-centred environment.
HARASSMENT & ABUSE
We do not tolerate harassment, abuse, bullying, intimidation, discrimination or other forms of maltreatment.
PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY
We respect the privacy of athletes and families and take reasonable steps to protect personal information.
SCREENING
Coaches and individuals working directly with youth are subject to appropriate screening requirements.
DRUG-FREE SPORT
We are committed to maintaining a healthy and safe sport environment and follow applicable Basketball BC requirements relating to prohibited substances.
EQUITY & INCLUSION
Every athlete deserves to participate in an environment where they are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
CONCUSSION & ATHLETE SAFETY
We take athlete health seriously and follow applicable concussion and return-to-play requirements.
DISCIPLINE & COMPLAINTS
Concerns and complaints are handled through appropriate processes designed to provide fairness, accountability and athlete protection.
VIEW ALL BASKETBALL BC POLICIES
For the complete and most current versions of Basketball BC's policies, please visit the official Basketball BC Policy Library.
Basketball BC may update its policies from time to time. Where applicable, BC SWISH will update its practices and policies to remain aligned with Basketball BC requirements.
COACH & VOLUNTEER SCREENING
The people who work with our athletes play an important role in creating a safe environment.
All BC SWISH coaches and individuals working directly with youth must meet Basketball BC's screening requirements.
Criminal Record Checks
All coaches and individuals working directly with youth must have completed a Criminal Record Check within the previous five years.
BC SWISH may also require additional screening, references, qualifications or documentation depending on an individual's role.
Screening information is handled confidentially and is only accessed by individuals who require the information for legitimate club administration and safeguarding purposes.
COACH EDUCATION
We believe good coaching is about more than teaching basketball.
Our coaches are expected to continually develop their coaching knowledge, leadership skills and Safe Sport education.
Safe Sport Training
All BC SWISH coaches are required to complete the Safe Sport Training course offered through the Coaching Association of Canada.
Basketball BC currently identifies this as a free, approximately 90-minute online course.
NCCP Requirements
Competitive team coaches are expected to achieve the applicable trained status for their coaching level:
U11 & Under
FUNdamentals or Learn to Train
U12–U15
Learn to Train or Train to Train
U16–U18
Train to Train
Basketball BC currently provides a one-year progression window for Safe Sport Training and a three-year progression window for NCCP requirements for competitive team coaches.
THE RULE OF TWO
BC SWISH supports the Responsible Coaching Movement and Rule of Two.
Whenever reasonably possible, coaches should avoid being alone with an athlete and use open, observable environments.
This includes:
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Having two screened adults present whenever reasonably possible.
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Using visible or open spaces for athlete conversations.
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Keeping doors open when appropriate.
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Using appropriate team or parent/guardian communication channels.
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Avoiding unnecessary one-on-one transportation with athletes.
The Rule of Two helps establish healthy boundaries and protects both athletes and coaches.
REPORTING A CONCERN
If something doesn't feel right, speak up.
You do not need to determine whether something meets a specific definition of abuse or maltreatment before raising a concern.
IF SOMEONE IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER
Call 911.
CHILD PROTECTION CONCERNS
In British Columbia, everyone has a legal duty to report if they have reason to believe a child or youth needs protection.
Provincial Centralized Screening
1-800-663-9122
BASKETBALL BC SAFE SPORT CONCERNS
Concerns involving maltreatment may be reported directly to Basketball BC.
Matt McKay — Executive Director
778-621-2008
mmckay@basketball.bc.ca
Basketball BC identifies its Athlete Safeguarding and Harassment and Abuse policies as containing its reporting procedures.
BC SWISH
For club-related questions or concerns, please contact:
BC SWISH Basketball Club
bcswishbasketballclub@gmail.com
Where appropriate, concerns may be referred to Basketball BC, child-protection authorities, police or another organization with the authority to investigate.
Important: Contacting BC SWISH does not replace a person's legal obligation to report a child-protection concern directly to the appropriate authorities.
NO RETALIATION
BC SWISH does not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith or participates in a complaint or investigation.
Everyone who raises a concern should be treated with respect and should not be subject to intimidation, threats or punishment for speaking up.
PRIVACY
BC SWISH respects the privacy of athletes and families.
We collect and use personal information for reasonable club purposes, including:
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Registration and administration
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Team organization
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Scheduling and communication
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Payment processing
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Basketball BC registration
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Insurance and safety requirements
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Program and event administration
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Emergency and athlete-safety purposes
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Appropriate club promotion and communications
We do not sell personal information.
Information may be shared with service providers or organizations when reasonably necessary to operate our programs, process payments, meet Basketball BC or insurance requirements, comply with legal obligations, or otherwise as permitted by law.
Youth Privacy
Because we work primarily with children and youth, we take additional care when handling athlete information.
Parents and guardians are responsible for providing accurate registration, emergency and contact information and keeping the club informed of changes.
Photos & Video
BC SWISH may photograph or record athletes during practices, games, tournaments, camps and other club activities for legitimate club purposes, including website, social media and promotional use.
Where consent is required, appropriate consent will be obtained from the athlete's parent or guardian.
If you have questions or concerns about the use of an athlete's image, please contact us.
DRUG-FREE SPORT
BC SWISH is committed to providing a healthy and safe sport environment.
Athletes, coaches and volunteers must not participate in club activities while impaired by alcohol, cannabis or other recreational or prohibited substances.
The use, possession, distribution or promotion of illegal drugs or prohibited substances during club activities is not permitted.
Participants are also expected to follow applicable Basketball BC and sport-governing-body requirements relating to prohibited substances and anti-doping.
INCLUSION & RESPECT
Basketball is for everyone.
BC SWISH is committed to creating an environment where athletes are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on characteristics protected by applicable human rights legislation.
Every athlete should have the opportunity to participate, learn and develop in an environment that is welcoming, supportive and positive.
CONCUSSION & ATHLETE SAFETY
The health and safety of our athletes is a priority.
If an athlete experiences a suspected concussion or significant injury, they will be removed from participation when appropriate and referred for appropriate medical assessment.
Coaches and staff are expected to follow applicable Basketball BC concussion and return-to-play requirements.
REFUND POLICY
We understand that circumstances can change.
At the same time, BC SWISH makes financial commitments in advance for gyms, leagues, tournaments, uniforms, insurance, coaching and other program expenses.
Our refund policy is designed to balance fairness to families with those commitments.
PROGRAM CANCELLATION
If BC SWISH cancels a program because of insufficient registration, the club will provide a full refund of registration fees paid for that program.
CLUB TEAMS
Because significant expenses are committed once a player accepts a roster position, club team registration fees are generally non-refundable once a player has accepted a roster position.
Refund requests must be submitted in writing.
Refunds may be considered for verified medical reasons.
Where a medical refund is approved, the refund may be reduced by:
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A $100 administration fee
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A prorated amount based on the portion of the season that has elapsed
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Any other unrecoverable costs already incurred by the club on behalf of the athlete
CAMPS & TRAINING PROGRAMS
Training program and camp fees are generally refundable, less a $25 administration fee, when written notice is received at least 7 days before the first scheduled session, unless otherwise stated for a specific program.
After that deadline, fees are generally non-refundable.
EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Parents or guardians may submit a written request for consideration of a full or partial refund because of extraordinary circumstances.
Requests are reviewed individually by the BC SWISH Board of Directors.
Submitting a request does not guarantee that a refund will be approved.
THIRD-PARTY COSTS
BC SWISH cannot guarantee refunds for costs paid directly to third parties, including tournaments, leagues, facilities, travel providers or other organizations.
Where the club is able to recover a cost, the recoverable amount may be considered as part of a refund.
QUICK LINKS
Learn more about Safe Sport and reporting maltreatment.
View the complete Basketball BC policy library.
Read Basketball BC's Athlete Safeguarding Policy.
[ COACHING & SAFE SPORT TRAINING ]
Learn more about coach education and Safe Sport training.
QUESTIONS?
Have a question about our policies, Safe Sport practices, registration or refunds?
We are always happy to help.
BC SWISH Basketball Club
bcswishbasketballclub@gmail.com
Our goal is simple:
DEVELOP GREAT PLAYERS.
BUILD EVEN BETTER PEOPLE.
Policy Review: September 2026
BC SWISH Basketball Club will review these policies periodically and update them as required by Basketball BC, applicable legislation, insurance requirements or changes to club practices.