Volunteer Screening
Screening to ensure safety
Here at Hockey Nova Scotia, we work to ensure that the game is organized and played in the safest manner possible.
Our policies require that coaches, managers, trainers, board members, and other volunteers complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC) and Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC).
Letter for volunteers requesting Criminal Record Check (CRC) and Vulnerable Sector Check
For a letter from Hockey Nova Scotia requesting that the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check fee be reduced, please click here.
Background checks
Being a volunteer in hockey is no easy task.
Volunteers are often called upon to wear many hats. At Hockey Nova Scotia, we do our best to ensure that our volunteers are safeguarded and not placed in vulnerable situations.
All coaches and minor hockey volunteers are required to have the following:
- Criminal Record Check
- Vulnerable Sector Check
Criminal Record Check (CRC)
- When requesting a Criminal Record Check from your local RCMP or police detachment, please include the Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) which is designed to protect vulnerable Canadians from dangerous offenders by uncovering the existence of a criminal record, a conviction of a sexual nature, or a criminal or sexual charge, but not necessarily a conviction.
- HNS will accept the original, as well as copies and scans sent via email to info@hockeynovascotia.ca.
- Your Criminal Record Check must be issued within the last six months (from the date of submission to Hockey Nova Scotia).
- Once approved in the Hockey Canada Registry, the Criminal Record Check/Vulnerable Sector Check is valid for three consecutive hockey seasons.
- The certification deadline for background checks at Hockey Nova Scotia is Dec. 1 (Please Note: Your local hockey association may have an earlier deadline).
- Criminal Record Checks can be completed at your local police or RCMP detachment. These can only be processed in the community where the person resides. (For example, if you live in Sydney, you are not able to have your CRC processed in Halifax.)
- There is a cost associated with Criminal Record Checks (as well as Sterling Backcheck http://www.backcheck.net/hockeynovascotia/). Some locations may accept a letter from HNS or your local hockey association requesting a reduced fee (find letter above), but many detachments are no longer accepting these.