PANEL 1 PRESENTER: Dr. Joseph Gurgis
Beyond Compliance: Reimagining Safe Sport Through Safeguarding
Faculty of Health Sciences Associate Teaching Professor, Ontario Tech University
Alongside his academic work, Dr. Gurgis is actively engaged in the Canadian sport system as a practitioner. He is a Coach Developer with the Coaches Association of Ontario and served as the lead content developer for the Coaching Association of Canada’s mandated "Safe Sport Training" and the "NCCP Creating a Positive Sport Environment."
Beyond Compliance: Reimagining Safe Sport Through Safeguarding
Safe sport has become a central priority across Canadian sport, yet concerns about harm, exclusion, and trust continue to persist. While current safe sport initiatives have advanced awareness and accountability, they often remain focused on responding to individual misconduct and meeting compliance requirements. This presentation argues for a broader conceptual shift toward safeguarding sport, a preventive, systems-based, and rights-based approach that embeds athlete well-being into the design, governance, and culture of sport. Participants will be invited to consider how safeguarding can move the conversation beyond
reactive measures toward meaningful and sustainable system change.