Stopping abuse in and out of sport

Sport Coaches on P.E.I. are being offered training to help them recognize when their players may be suffering from abuse.

Sport PEI is now offering the Respect in Sport program training online. The program focuses on issues of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination.

It was developed by Sheldon Kennedy, the former NHL player who charged his major junior hockey league coach with sexual assault.

Sport PEI executive director Gemma Koughan feels with this program coaches can become better allies for kids.

"It may not be happening in the sports world, maybe it's happening at school or at home," said Koughan.

"If they can identify maybe one of their kids that is going through that, then maybe they'll learn some of the tasks they can use to help them with that child."

The program has been offered through Hockey PEI in the past, but Sport PEI thought felt it important to offer it to coaches of all sports.

It is available now on their website. The fee is $30 and coaches can count it towards professional development points.

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