Safety Guidelines for Secondary Interschool Athletics in Alberta

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Communication with Parents/Guardians
• Parents/guardians must be notified of any off-site activity and means of
transportation.
• Consideration must also be given to informing parents/guardians of activities
which take student athletes off the immediate school property, where
transportation is not required, e.g., cross-country running. Refer to individual
school board policy and field trip procedures regarding the need for
parent/guardian consent (use Appendices A and B).
• Parents/guardians must be made aware of the mode of transportation.
• Parents/guardians should be made aware of student athlete expectations.
• The means and frequency of communication required should be established with
the school principal.
• A signed parent/guardian acknowledgment/permission form must be received
from each participant. The accompanying letter should contain details of the
activity, its inherent risks and the level of supervision that will be provided.
Student athletes who do not return signed forms should not be permitted to
participate.
Transportation To and From Off-site Activities
• Many different situations may arise involving the transportation of student athletes
for activities away from the school. Injuries can occur while traveling to, from or
between activity sites.
• Teachers/coaches should be aware of school board policy regarding transportation.
• It is important that parents/guardians are made aware of the mode of
transportation and student athlete expectations.
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Transportation by Motor Vehicle
• Student athletes must not be allowed to transport other student athletes or
students.
• Parents/Guardians will not transport another family’s child without written
consent.
• For out of town trips, a list of each student athlete in each vehicle, drivers’ names
and license plate numbers of the vehicles should be left at the school and a copy of
the list should accompany adults on the trip.
• Check with school authority policy regarding the use of 16-seat vans for
transportation of student athletes.
• To ensure that the insurable risks are appropriately covered by the school board’s
and/or driver’s insurance company, the following checklist should be completed
prior to departure:
o Liability Insurance:
- When securing a vehicle or chartered public transport, check that
the employer has third party vehicle liability insurance covering the
intended drivers.
- Teachers/coaches and parents should not transport other passengers
on school-related trips unless they carry at least $1 million vehicle
liability. Drivers should notify their insurance agents of their
intention to transport student athletes, especially if the driving is to
be done on a regular basis.
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Safety Guidelines for Secondary Interschool Athletics in Alberta - February 2012