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POB · YOUTH LIAISON TRAINING

BE THE TRUSTED
PASS PLAYERS NEED.

A practical introduction to listening, supporting youth voice, and connecting concerns to the right adults—without trying to solve everything alone.

Start training →ABOUT 20 MINUTES · SELF-PACED
YOUTHLIAISON
LISTEN · SUPPORT · CONNECT
4 SHORT MODULES
3 REAL-LIFE PLAYS
1 TRUSTED CONNECTION

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

YOU DON’T HAVE TO FIX THE WHOLE GAME.

Youth Liaisons give players a safe, neutral pathway to speak up. The role is to notice, listen, document when needed, and help youth reach the appropriate support.

“Being a Youth Liaison isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being there.”

YOUR TRAINING PATH

FOUR PERIODS. ONE STRONGER TEAM.

0% COMPLETE

Connector, not decision-maker

A Youth Liaison builds trust with players and connects concerns to the right channel. The role does not determine playing time, rosters, discipline, or provide professional counselling.

View a concise Association position-description example →
ASSOCIATION EXAMPLE

Youth Liaison Director / Director at Large

A Board-appointed role that strengthens youth voice, psychological safety, communication, and accountability across the association.

Core Youth Liaison duties
  • Introduce the role and contact pathway to assigned team(s) at season start.
  • Meet with each assigned team at least once per month during the season.
  • Arrange a confidential mid-season player survey, summarize non-identifying themes, and bring recommendations to the Board.
  • Listen neutrally, document concerns appropriately, and connect players with the correct adult or process.
  • Immediately refer maltreatment, harassment, abuse, or safety concerns through required reporting pathways.
Director / Director-at-Large duties
  • Attend and participate in Board meetings and assigned committees.
  • Act in the best interests of the association and follow its bylaws, policies, confidentiality rules, and code of conduct.
  • Provide a brief monthly Board update on activities, trends, and recommendations without identifying players unnecessarily.
  • Support policy review, strategic planning, association events, and other reasonable Board duties.
  • Complete required screening and training and disclose conflicts of interest.

Term and accountability: Appointed or elected under the association’s bylaws; accountable to the Board President and designated Safe Sport/Risk Committee. Voting authority follows the association’s bylaws.

YOU DO
  • Listen without judgment
  • Support youth voice
  • Notice patterns and themes
  • Refer or report concerns
YOU DON’T
  • Promise outcomes
  • Investigate allegations
  • Diagnose or counsel
  • Keep unsafe secrets

The five Golden Rules

1

Be a safe teammateListen without judgment. Support—don’t diagnose.

2

Check the boardsNotice how players are feeling, not only the score.

3

Pass to trusted adultsBig issues are never yours to carry alone.

4

Respect privacyKeep confidence unless someone’s safety may be at risk.

5

Play the long gameTrust grows through consistency and small acts.

TRY THIS OPENER“What’s going well on the team—and what’s one thing we could improve?”

Use the PASS response

P

Pause & listenGive full attention. Don’t rush to fix.

A

AcknowledgeReflect feelings and thank them for speaking up.

S

Sort the concernRoutine issue, concerning pattern, or safety risk?

S

Send it forwardConnect, document, refer, or report.

SAFETY OVERRIDES SECRECY

If there is abuse, harassment, threats, maltreatment, or risk of harm, explain that you must involve the designated adult and follow your organization’s reporting protocol immediately.

Choose your response

PLAY 1 OF 3

Playing time concern

A player says, “Coach never gives me a fair chance.”

FINAL BUZZER

READY TO WEAR THE “C” FOR CONNECTION?

Check the essentials before you take this role into your association.

1A Youth Liaison is primarily a…
2When must confidentiality be broken?
3What belongs in a Board trend report?

TAKE IT TO THE RINK

YOUR LIAISON BENCH KIT

Use these original POB resources alongside your association’s current policies and provincial reporting requirements.

01Golden RulesFive principles for the roleOPEN PDF ↗02Quick ReferenceSkills and conversation startersOPEN PDF ↗03Common IssuesStrategies and sample languageOPEN PDF ↗04Policies & ProceduresRole, boundaries, reporting, and escalationOPEN PDF ↗05Support ListHelpful contacts and servicesOPEN PDF ↗

Important: This training supports—not replaces—formal Safe Sport, Respect in Sport, child protection, duty-to-report, or association-specific training. Always follow the current policies and laws that apply in your location.

KEEP THE MOMENTUM

BUILD A CULTURE WHERE EVERY PLAYER HAS A VOICE.

More help & resources →Open the Bullying Toolkit ↗
Puck Off to Bullying

YOUR COMPLETION CERTIFICATE

Recognize your learning.

Finish the steps below, enter the name you want on your certificate, and download a print-quality PNG with today’s date.

This records self-reported completion, not professional certification or accreditation. It does not replace required Safe Sport or association training.

Before you download

  • Still to do — All four training modules marked completeGo to section
  • Still to do — Final knowledge check: 3 out of 3Go to section

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