Hockey Nova Scotia has partnered with the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre to introduce a new program this season following a hazing incident involving two young players. Over 2,000 boys and girls on under-15 teams will take part in specialized training covering topics such as leadership, consent, and sexual assault. According to Mike Field, the executive director of Hockey Nova Scotia, this initiative addresses an identified need for important education alongside the existing training for coaches and volunteers.
The collaboration came about after numerous requests for support from parents and coaches following the charges laid against two 14-year-old minor hockey players from the Truro-area earlier this year. Kailee Wakeman, operations director at the Halifax-based centre, noted a significant demand for action, prompting them to develop a webinar initially aimed at parents and coaches. This webinar has evolved into a pilot project, with potential plans to expand the program to other age groups in the future.
The program will consist of two educational sessions starting this month for under-15 players, focusing on various essential topics. Dee Dooley, an education advisor at Dalhousie University specializing in sexual violence prevention, emphasized the importance of creating a safe and supportive team culture. The first session will cover agency, body autonomy, and different forms of harm, including hazing and sexual assault, while the second session will emphasize leadership and intervention in problematic behaviors within the team environment.
Dooley highlighted the significant influence peers have on each other and stressed that young athletes play a crucial role in shaping the team culture. The importance of fostering positive connections within the team was underscored by Avalon staff, who found that a positive team culture correlates with success on and off the ice. Ultimately, the aim is to empower young athletes to understand the impact of their actions on team culture and to inspire positive change within their sporting communities.
