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Safe Sport Conference on Hazing in Sport

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/03/2025 (225 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If you play hockey, ref basketball, coach lacrosse, or volunteer at your child’s rowing club, you have the right to a healthy, supportive, and respectful sport experience, free from all forms of maltreatment.

This is what we describe as safe sport.

Unfortunately, hazing is something that some athletes still face as they enter the world of sport. Hazing could be an initiation, or a series of initiations, involving ever-increasing activities that make the young athlete feel uncomfortable, or in some cases, harmed.

In an effort to create safer sport experiences for everyone, Sport Manitoba is hosting another Safe Sport Conference this spring.

The conference presents a crucial opportunity for coaches, administrators, and other sport stakeholders to deepen their understanding of how to ensure the safety and well-being of participants in sport settings. With the focus on addressing and preventing hazing, this event will equip you with valuable insights and practical strategies to foster more inclusive sport environments.

Save the Date

Saturday, May 10
from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Sport Manitoba conference room (basement level) at 145 Pacific Ave in Winnipeg

What You’ll Learn 

The day kicks off with Dr. Jay Johnson who will lead a session on the origins and persistence of hazing in sports, its impacts, and methods for transforming the culture surrounding these practices. Attendees will actively engage in workshop exercises, helping them to better understand how hazing manifests in different contexts and how it can be effectively challenged.

Bruce Wood will then provide an overview of real-world examples of hazing in sports, focusing on intervention strategies and the significance of cultivating positive team cultures. His insights will be valuable for coaches and administrators seeking to implement proactive measures to prevent harmful behaviours.

In the afternoon, discussions will broaden to address  anti-racism in sport, specifically exploring how underrepresented groups are uniquely affected by hazing. This session will provide guidelines on how sport organizations can consider and address the intersections of race and hazing.

The event concludes with a timely session by Val Caldwell on the rise of online hazing in the digital age. Social media has introduced new challenges in keeping athletes safe, and Caldwell will provide essential tools and tips to prevent online hazing and ensure online safety for participants.

Overall, this event offers a comprehensive approach to addressing hazing in its different forms, making it a vital learning opportunity for you and your role in sport.

Register and learn more at sportmanitoba.ca/safesport.