How the Alberta Racquetball Association Handles Safe Sport and Maltreatment Complaints

Updated

The Alberta Racquetball Association (ARA) handles safe sport and maltreatment complaints by adopting the Alberta Code of Conduct (ABUCC) as its foundational conduct document and routing reports through the Alberta Safe Sport Complaint Mechanism (ABSSCM). That mechanism provides an independent, confidential pathway — intake, assessment, investigation, resolution, sanctioning, and appeal — managed by a third-party provider, ALIAS. If you believe a conduct violation has occurred, the reporting route is the Complaints Button on the ARA website or the ALIAS contact page at https://app.alias-solution.com/contact/en/AB218.

The policy foundation: the Alberta Code of Conduct

The ARA states that it has adopted the ABUCC as the foundational document for a respectful sport culture, and that this adoption is part of its work to prevent and address maltreatment in sport. In practical terms, the code defines what counts as a violation; the complaint mechanism is the enforcement path for those violations. The ARA also describes its aim as delivering inclusive, accessible, welcoming, and safe sport experiences.

How a complaint moves through the system

The ABSSCM is described as an independent and confidential process covering six stages:

  1. Reporting and intake — a concern is submitted through the complaints channel.
  2. Assessment — the report is reviewed to determine how it proceeds.
  3. Investigation — where warranted, the matter is investigated.
  4. Resolution — the matter is concluded through the mechanism.
  5. Sanctioning — outcomes are applied where violations are found.
  6. Appeal — a route exists to challenge decisions.

Because intake and case management sit with ALIAS rather than the ARA itself, the person reporting is not filing directly with the organisation whose members may be involved. That separation is the core design feature: it is what the ARA means by an "independent" mechanism.

What to expect when you report

  • Confidentiality is stated as a feature of the pathway, not something you negotiate case by case.
  • You are reporting a conduct matter, not a legal claim. The mechanism enforces ABUCC violations; it is not described as a court process or a substitute for contacting police where a criminal matter may exist.
  • Timelines are not published in the material available here. If timing matters to your situation, ask the ARA or ALIAS directly rather than assuming a schedule.

Where to find the policy documents

The ARA directs readers to its Safe Sport in Alberta page for all policy documents and related materials. That page is the place to check before filing, so you can cite the specific code provision you believe was breached. The site also links a Concussion Recognition Tool, which is a separate safety resource rather than part of the complaints process.

Who to contact if you are unsure

The ARA explicitly invites questions: "If you're still unsure or have questions please contact the ARA directly." Two routes are visible:

Route Use it for
Complaints Button / ALIAS contact page (https://app.alias-solution.com/contact/en/AB218) Submitting a report or asking about the complaint process itself
ARA directly (e.g., President Mitch Brayley, [email protected]) General questions about policy, the Safe Sport page, or which route fits your situation

Note that the president's contact is a general organisational address listed on the site, not a confidential reporting channel — for anything sensitive, use the ALIAS route.

Who this applies to

The mechanism covers conduct within Alberta racquetball — players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and club or affiliate participants across the province. The ARA's volunteer base spans tournament organisation, leagues, coaching, officiating, casino nights, and the board of directors, so the code's reach is broad by design. The association is funded by the Tourism & Sport Ministry of the Alberta Government and the Alberta Liquor & Gaming Commission, which is context for its governance obligations rather than a factor in how an individual complaint is handled.

Practical checklist before you file

  • Read the ABUCC and related documents on the Safe Sport in Alberta page.
  • Write down what happened, when, who was involved, and any witnesses — the assessment stage depends on this.
  • Decide whether your concern is a code-of-conduct matter (use ABSSCM) or something that should also go to police or another authority.
  • Submit through the Complaints Button or the ALIAS contact page, and keep a record of your submission.
  • If you get no response or are unsure which route applies, contact the ARA directly and say so.