Sport Manitoba is excited to host a safe sport conference on May 10, 2025! Specifically focusing on hazing in sport, the conference is open to the public and is an opportunity for sport administrators, coaches, parents, athletes, officials, and volunteers from across all sports in Manitoba to learn from and engage with various professionals with knowledge in this field. The conference will include presentations, interactive activities, networking opportunities, and resources that will assist all stakeholders in understanding and preventing hazing practices in Manitoba’s sport system.
Registration is free and food/beverages will be provided.
Agenda
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Doors Open: Registration – Sign in, find a seat, and receive the Sport Manitoba hazing resource package. Coffee, tea, and water will be provided.
9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. – Sport Manitoba: Welcome – Sport Manitoba will provide a brief overview of our ongoing safe sport initiatives and introduce the conference guest speakers.
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. – Dr. Jay Johnson: A Research Perspective – University of Manitoba professor Dr. Jay Johnson will lead a session on the origins and persistence of hazing in sports, its impacts, and methods for transforming the culture surrounding these practices. Having published extensively on hazing in sport, and with years of experience working with sport organizations to eliminate hazing practices, Dr. Johnson will provide audience members with a unique opportunity to learn from and engage with a world-renowned expert in this field. Attendees will also actively engage in workshop exercises, helping them better understand how hazing manifests and how it can be effectively challenged.
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Bruce Wood: Real-Life Stories and Interventions – With over 20 years of experience providing conflict resolution strategies directly to sport stakeholders, and with specific training in hazing prevention, Bruce Wood will provide audience members with an overview of real-world examples of hazing in sports. A long-time educator in this field, Bruce will discuss intervention strategies that he has used to combat and resolve hazing practices in organized sport. His insights will be valuable for coaches and administrators seeking to implement proactive measures to prevent harmful behaviours.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Lunch in the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame Gallery
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Anti-Racism in Sport Campaign: Considering Underrepresented Groups – The Anti-Racism in Sport Campaign will broaden discussions to address issues of anti-racism in sport, specifically exploring how underrepresented groups are uniquely affected by hazing. This session will not only provide necessary education for attendees, but critical insights for sport organizations to consider in addressing the intersections of racism and hazing.
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Val Caldwell: Social Media – One of the most popular speakers across Canada with expertise in the field of online safety, Val Caldwell will conclude the conference by exploring hazing practices in sport that incorporate social media platforms. Social media has introduced new challenges in keeping athletes safe, and Caldwell will provide attendees with essential tools to ensure online safety for sport participants, and tips to prevent online hazing practices.
3:00 p.m. – Sport Manitoba: Thank You – Departure
