Report on hazing in sports shows disconnect between policy and reality

By The Canadian Press on November 28, 2024.

Allison Forsyth, Founder, Generation Safe, and former Canadian Olympic alpine skier, Safe Sport Advocate and survivor speaks during a seminar for The Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) in Toronto, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

TORONTO – A new study finds there’s a disconnect between how hazing on sports teams in Canada is perceived and the realities of toxic culture.

The Coaches Association of Ontario, with support from Hydro One, commissioned the survey by Leger.

One thousand coaches representing more than 80 sports were surveyed for the report.

It found that 86 per cent of coaches agree that hazing in sports is a serious issue, but only 40 per cent of respondents had a clear set of standards on acceptable behaviour or intervene when hazing occurs.

The survey also found that six in 10 coaches personally experienced hazing when they were athletes.

Four of 10 respondents are aware of hazing on their teams.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 28, 2024.

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