Summer 2021

The finalization of the report and recommendations is underway. The review is expected to be completed in Fall 2021.



Winter Term 2021

A stakeholder consultation process was completed over the winter 2021 term, continue as part of the ongoing varsity sport program review, led by Sport Law & Strategy Group (SLSG). 

Review activities included:
•    An environmental scan of safe sport practices with information gathered from universities in Ontario, across Canada and the US;
•    An audit of current departmental policies, practices, governance and operations; 
•    Surveys of student-athletes, coaches, A&R staff and alumni; and 
•    Group interviews
•    Remote town hall sessions

Fall 2020 

Queen’s Athletics & Recreation (A&R) is reviewing its varsity sport program to support and develop leading safe sport practices.

The Review is part of the university and department’s ongoing commitment to ensure a safe, respectful and equitable environment for student-athletes, coaches, staff, volunteers, and participants. The Review will thoroughly examine varsity policies, procedures and practices through the lens of safe sport, and compare findings against expected standards and leading practices.  Recommendations will help Queen’s set the bar towards a ‘Platinum Standard’ of excellence in sport.

The University is committed to ensuring leading practices are informing the delivery of its programs and routinely conducts reviews of its various departments. In recent years, there have been several issues in collegiate athletics and recreation across North America, including those relating to safe sport policy, athlete wellness, gender inclusion, complaints processes and the coach/athlete power dynamic. As a result, there have been important shifts in standards, approaches, and expectations that will be considered as part of the review. 

The University has retained the Sport Law & Strategy Group (SLSG), an independent sport management company that offers safe sport, legal solutions, strategic communications and leadership development services to sport organizations across Canada. The SLSG has conducted dozens of reviews over the years to assist clients in supporting safer and more inclusive environments. 

The SLSG is currently conducting an audit of current policies, procedures and practices, including those related to equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigeneity (EDII), through a document review, an assessment of the department’s governance and operations and an environmental scan of other leading universities’ comparable varsity programs. 

A consultation process to engage student-athletes, coaches, A&R staff and other stakeholders is set to begin in January 2021. 
Individuals interested in participating and/or submitting comments to SLSG relating to the Review may do, in confidence, at any time through the email QueensReview@sportlaw.ca.

Participate

 

Review Consultant

Important Links

• Athletics & Recreation department review gets underway