Is it time for resignations at the Newfoundland volleyball association?
By Jason Pike
ST JOHN’S, NL – In the weeks leading up to the trial of Markus Hicks, a volleyball coach charged with multiple counts of sexual assault, it might surprise some of you, that the governing body that oversees everything volleyball in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, remains with it board and staff intact.
As we have seen in other high profile case of sexual assault or impropriety in sports like gymnastic, hockey and soccer in North America, the boards of directors and executive are usually held to account and forced to resign. This has not happened at the Newfoundland and Labrador Volleyball Association.
While it remains to be seen if the association knew of this abuse or if incidents were reported to them they do have a responsibility for the safety athletes, coaches and volunteers playing under their authority and accreditation.
Whether the responsibility falls to one person or to all, they all still remain in their positions. Not one of the executive have stepped down, nor where they asked to yet. Many lives were destroyed but not one single solitary person stepped down.
Nobody wants to talk about it and when a member of the volleyball community ask that question they put a finger to their lips saying “shush, we’re not going to talk about that”. Well guess what folks, we are going to talk about it.
Over 200 charges
St. John’s teacher and volleyball coach Markus Hicks was charged with using a fake identity to lure and sexually assault teens and youth adults, is ready to defend himself against over 200 charges. Hicks has been charged with 63 new counts related to 11 new complainants, who range from as young as 12 years old to adults at the time the offenses are alleged to have occurred.
Hicks, 32, is now facing more than 200 sexual violence charges connected to 35 complainants.
All these alleged incidences occurred over a number of years. All under the watch of the Newfoundland and Labrador Volleyball Association.
Whether you are directly involved with the allegations or not, the governing body of the organization in which Mr Hicks was allowed to pray on these young players must answer for it.
The NLVA needs to start with a new board.
This incident is going to echo in the sports community for decades and has broken the trust of so many parents of young athletes. So there’s no excuse for them to stay in place. I’ll say it one more time, the NLVA had this happen under their watchful eye so Newfoundland and Labrador volleyball associations executive needs to step aside and remove themselves from their positions.
If you dig a little deeper, which this reporter has, this is not the first incident of sexual indiscretions by a volleyball coach in this province. Yes the Hicks case may be much more high-profile but back in 2003 former Prince of Wales collegiate chemistry teacher and volleyball coach David Genge was charged with two accounts of sexual assault and sexual exploitation stemming from two incidences one in 1986 and the other in 1992. But that was in 2003 over 20 years ago and things were handled a lot differently and people were of a different mindset. If there were two that were caught how many more were there where victims were who chose to stay silent for fear of intimidation, reprisal or judgment from the community or their families so they chose to stay silent and not speak on the matter? History shows this is common in all sexual assault incidents.
Mr Genge read a statement apologizing for his inappropriate actions and from what I could ascertain the courts ate it up and accepted his remorsefulness, giving him 18 months house arrest instead of a room at The Pen.
Case #3
Next there’s the case of retired teacher and volleyball coach Wayne Oates of Gander collegiate, who now at age 75 has been charged with multiple sexual offenses against former students.
The alleged offenses occurred in the late 1970s to early 1980s. and he is charged with the following Criminal Code offenses, Indecent Assault and Gross Indecency.
Police have spoken with multiple complainants and believe there may be other victims and witnesses who have not yet come forward. So this situation is still being dealt with and is far from being over as more victims are expected to come forward.
Oates is listed on the NLVA Hall of fame member on their website
It’s all a little disturbing and I’m sure that incidents like this have occurred in other sports as well but these volleyball coaches are certainly drawing attention to the NLVA.
The umbrella of responsibility
The NLVA job has to be more than just administrative in these positions. They can’t just shrug your shoulders and throw thier hands up and say well we didn’t know. There comes a point that somebody has to take accountability whether it is directly your fault or not, you step into these positions of authority to be a governing body and that means that everyone and anyone under that umbrella is your responsibility. People under that umbrella have been hurt immeasurably and some will never recover fully. Thats when it time to step away. Especially so if executive or board members were on duty at the time .
Just because most of these positions are voluntary does not mean they do not come with a massive amount of responsibility and accountability.
SAFE SPORT
Sport Canada, the government agency overseeing amateur sport in Canada instituted a Safe Sport program in recent years that lays out the rules and guidelines for all athletes, coaches and volunteers involved in sport in Canada to ensure the safety and protection of young athletes.
If you receive funding from Sport Canada or compete in national sports you are required to sign on and follow these regulations when it comes to dealing with young athletes.
The Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) is the core document that sets harmonized rules to be adopted by sport organizations that receive funding from the Government of Canada to advance a respectful sport culture that delivers quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming and safe sport experiences.
According to their website the NLVA has signed on to the Safe Sport program through the national sports organization, Volleyball Canada, of which it is a member.
Safe Sport is also a mandatory course to become a certified coach through the Coaching Association of Canada.
Along with it being a part of a coaching qualification certificate they also offer training to organizations and volunteers.
Today it is hard to be a coach, athlete or volunteer without signing on to or having some level of Safe Sport training.
If you are an athlete and victim of abuse please report it. Contact
The Canadian Sport Helpline is an anonymous, national toll-free helpline offering assistance to victims or witnesses of harassment, abuse or discrimination. The helpline will provide you with advice, guidance and resources on how to proceed appropriately in the circumstances.
- Text: 1-888-83SPORT (77678)
- Email: info@abuse-free-sport.ca
- Website Abuse-Free Sport Helpline (abuse-free-sport.ca)
- 8am – 8pm (ET)
- 7 days a week
