Safety Guidelines for Secondary Interschool Athletics in Alberta

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Officials
• Officials should be knowledgeable about the rules of the interschool athletic
activity and how to ensure a safe competitive environment.
• The best choice for an official is one who is certified and registered with the
governing body or commission responsible for the sport, if one is available. A
second choice is a competent adult that knows the rules of the sport and can
ensure they are followed as closely as possible.
• In the event that an official(s) fails to arrive at an interschool athletic
competition, teachers/coaches may assume officiating responsibilities provided
they have training as a coach or official.
• School athletic staff should support officials in enforcing game rules and ethical
standards.
• Officials should be provided with a safe environment, changing facilities and a
sanctuary from parents.
Role of Teacher/Coach Liaison within a School District
In every case where a teacher/coach is not a teacher or administrator employed by
the board or an individual with teaching certification approved by the principal or
designate, e.g., retired teacher, teacher not under contract, the principal or designate
is to appoint a teacher/coach liaison who is a teacher or administrator. The
teacher/coach liaison will be responsible for supervising the teacher/coach and for
carrying out all duties required of a teacher pursuant to their contract and these
guidelines. The level of support will be commensurate with the expertise and
qualifications of the teacher/coach and will be determined by the principal or
designate in consultation with the teacher/coach liaison. The supervision of both
the teacher/coach and the interschool activity provided by the teacher/coach liaison
will be will be, as a minimum, in-the-area supervision as described below.
Event Preparation
• The event organizers should be aware of emergency action plans for the facility.
• The event organizer should address the issue of event security, as appropriate.
• If a sport therapist is required for an event the event organizer may locate one
through the Alberta Athletic Therapists Association at www.aata.ca.
• The presence of spectators should not present a safety concern.
• Procedures should be in place for the cancellation or postponement of activities,
whether indoor or outdoor, for unforeseen circumstances.
First Aid
The minimum requirement for first aid coverage at interschool athletic activities is
the presence of an individual who takes responsibility for providing first aid to
injured student athletes. The minimum level of training for this individual should be
current Emergency First Aid and CPR, including the use of AEDs, or equivalent.
For Higher Risk Sports it is recommended that the individual should also have
Athletic First Aid training or be a sport medicine professional, e.g., Athletic
Therapist, Physiotherapist, Physician.
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Safety Guidelines for Secondary Interschool Athletics in Alberta - February 2012