PROMOTING A SAFE & INCLUSIVE SPORT FOR ALL
At Canada Artistic Swimming, our culture is grounded in respect, collaboration, and inclusivity. Building on the Rise Up Action Plan’s success, our new We All Swim Together initiative continues our commitment to a safe, inclusive sport. This grassroots program equips athletes, coaches, and clubs with practical tools to foster supportive, respectful environments that encourage healthy interactions, reduce conflicts, and prevent bullying.
Promoting Respect, Collaboration, and Inclusivity
WE ALL SWIM TOGETHER
Empowering Athletes, Coaches, and Club Administrators to Create Positive Team Environments
At Canada Artistic Swimming, we are committed to building a sport culture where respect, collaboration, and inclusivity are at the forefront. We All Swim Together is a grassroots initiative developed in collaboration with the Canadian Olympic Committee, Generation Safe, and INclusion INcorporated. This program provides athletes, coaches, and administrators with practical tools to create supportive, respectful environments that encourage healthy peer-to-peer interactions, minimize conflicts, and prevent bullying.
Our resources are designed to help individuals and teams thrive by promoting positive relationships and a strong sense of community. Whether you’re a coach leading your team, an athlete building team spirit, or a club administrator shaping a culture of success, We All Swim Together offers essential tools to ensure that everyone feels valued, supported, and heard.
WE ALL SWIM TOGETHER
FOR ATHLETES
Elevating Ourselves and Our Teammates
As an athlete, you’re part of a team united by a passion for artistic swimming, and Elevating Ourselves and Our Teammates empowers you to make a lasting impact by fostering a supportive, inclusive community. This resource emphasizes the importance of being a respectful teammate and a good ally, encouraging athletes to build a positive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and heard.
In this video, two-time Olympian and founder of Generation Safe, Allison Forsyth, encourages athletes to reflect on their relationships with teammates and use kindness and respect to build a positive team culture. She emphasizes that by supporting each other and creating team commitments, athletes can foster a stronger, more inclusive environment where everyone flourishes.
As an athlete, you can lead by example and work with your teammates to create a positive, inclusive environment. Reflect on how you can offer support when needed and be an ally to your teammates, ensuring that everyone feels valued and supported.
WE ALL SWIM TOGETHER
FOR COACHES
Establishing Boundaries
Establishing Boundaries equips coaches with tools to build a professional, respectful team environment through clear expectations with athletes and caregivers. This resource guides coaches in fostering open communication and mutual respect while supporting their own well-being through steps like hosting caregiver meetings, co-creating team commitments, and setting team selection criteria. Through these practices, coaches can establish a balanced, productive culture that empowers both athletes and coaches to thrive.
In this video, two-time Olympian and founder of Generation Safe, Allison Forsyth, explains the importance of establishing boundaries within your team, both with athletes and caregivers. She provides valuable insights on maintaining clear communication and setting expectations to support a thriving, professional culture.
This infographic outlines key strategies for coaches to establish and maintain healthy boundaries with athletes and caregivers. It emphasizes the importance of proactive communication, managing time effectively, and setting clear expectations to ensure a supportive and respectful team environment.
KEY MESSAGES
Take the lead in establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries within your team. Use the tools in this resource to guide your interactions with athletes and caregivers, ensuring a respectful and professional environment that allows everyone to succeed.
WE ALL SWIM TOGETHER
FOR SPORT LEADERS
Ripples to Resolutions
As a coach or club administrator, you play a crucial role in fostering a safe, positive, and inclusive team environment. Ripples to Resolutions provides practical tools and a step-by-step guide for handling conflicts constructively before they escalate, promoting open communication and mutual respect. With your leadership, this resource helps cultivate a team culture where conflicts are resolved respectfully, enabling athletes and coaches to grow together both in and out of the pool.
In this video, Samantha Heron, Chief Complaints Officer at ITP Sport, introduces conflict resolution tools designed for coaches. She emphasizes the importance of addressing conflicts with respect and structure to ensure that challenges are resolved within the team environment. By providing a safe space for discussion, coaches can build a strong, inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and respected.
This infographic equips coaches with a step-by-step approach to managing conflicts within their teams. It provides essential strategies for maintaining a respectful environment and resolving disputes in a constructive manner, ensuring that coaches and athletes can collaborate effectively.
KEY MESSAGES
As a coach or administrator, you have the power to resolve conflicts effectively and create a positive, inclusive environment. Use the Ripples to Resolutions tool to encourage open communication, respect, and collaboration, ensuring every team member feels supported and valued.
WE ALL SWIM TOGETHER
FOR CLUBS
Setting Up Our Clubs for Success
As a club administrator, you play a key role in shaping your team’s culture, and Setting Up Our Clubs for Success provides tools to help foster a positive, supportive environment. This resource guides you in regularly assessing club culture, aligning actions on and off the pool deck, and bridging gaps to create a unified approach across the club. While offering a foundational structure, it also allows for customization to fit your club’s unique needs, helping align your club with national standards for consistency and collaboration. With your leadership, you can drive growth and shared goals for everyone in your club.
In this video, Andrea Carey, Chief INclusion Officer at INclusion INcorporated, explains how club administrators can use the We All Swim Together tools to create a positive and inclusive club environment. She emphasizes the importance of regular reviews and communication to maintain a strong, supportive culture. She explains how administrators can customize the program to meet their club’s specific needs. The program ensures that both coaches and athletes receive the guidance and support necessary to excel while staying aligned with national programs to promote consistency in the sport.
This infographic provides club administrators with a comprehensive checklist to assess, plan, and strengthen their club’s culture. It emphasizes the importance of clear communication, ongoing assessments, and supporting coaches, athletes, and caregivers to create a cohesive environment where everyone excels.
KEY MESSAGES
As a leader, you have the opportunity to shape a positive and supportive culture within your club. Use this resource to assess your current practices, provide support to your coaches, and align your club’s culture with national programs. Together, we can ensure that artistic swimming continues to thrive in a safe, inclusive, and collaborative environment.
RISE UP ACTION PLAN
Building a Safe and Inclusive Environment
Canada Artistic Swimming’s Rise Up initiative was a comprehensive action plan designed to promote a safer, more inclusive sport environment. Through reviewing practices, setting new standards, and implementing significant cultural changes, Rise Up took the steps to create a healthier, more supportive community in artistic swimming. The plan prioritized mental and physical well-being, diversity, and respectful communication, making lasting improvements to the sport’s landscape.