Athletics Canada has imposed a short lived suspension on an Ontario youth monitor‑and‑subject coach amid an alleged Protected Sport violation.
In accordance with a supply, the previous head coach of the Durham Dragons distance working program, Zack Jones, was let go by the membership in early November. After his dismissal, the membership filed a grievance with the Athletics Canada Commissioner’s Workplace, the impartial physique that handles Protected Sport issues. The workplace is at present reviewing the allegations and assessing the proof.
Whereas it’s ongoing, Jones is briefly suspended from all coaching-related actions below each Athletics Canada and Athletics Ontario. As a part of the interim measures, he’s prohibited from participating or speaking with any minor (below 18) athlete for any cause, until a father or mother or guardian is current. The restriction applies to all types of communication, together with in particular person, by cellphone, electronic mail, textual content message and on social media.
If the impartial investigation finds wrongdoing, Jones might face a prolonged ban.
Within the weeks following his removing from the Durham Dragons, Jones began a brand new membership based mostly in close by Oak Ridges, Ont. He had been with the Durham Dragons since 2019 and helped information the membership’s cross-country program to 3 consecutive Athletics Ontario membership championships between 2022 and 2024.
The 31-year-old from Courtice, Ont., was additionally employed as an assistant coach with McMaster College’s cross-country and monitor packages in the course of the 2021-22 season. In accordance with a supply inside the college, Jones was requested to step down from that position following the 2021 U Sports activities cross-country season.
A consultant for Athletics Ontario informed Canadian Working that the interim suspension is a precautionary measure and doesn’t symbolize a discovering of misconduct. The group acknowledged the suspension displays its dedication to transparency and to sustaining a Protected Sport surroundings for all athletes.
“Everybody concerned in athletics has the suitable to take part in an surroundings that’s free from maltreatment,” Athletics Ontario mentioned in a press release. “We encourage athletes, mother and father and guardians, coaches and membership leaders to have open conversations inside their golf equipment and to familiarize themselves with Protected Sport sources and reporting processes.”
Canadian Working reached out to Jones for remark. He had not responded on the time of publication.
Athletics Canada launches first Protected Sport program for youth
