Winnipeg’s hockey parents are set to get a lesson in respect.
In a unanimous vote Monday, all 10 associations affiliated with Hockey Winnipeg decided to implement the Respect in Sport parent program.
With a major incident last year and a steady list of complaints this season, Hockey Winnipeg decided it was time to have some parent-specific learning tools.
They’ve also implemented a respectful hockey policy, a social media policy and a rink behavior policy.
Next season, Hockey Winnipeg said one parent from each family will have to complete the Respect in Sport course for their kids to stay in the league.
“All people need to be more aware of their behaviour and the behaviours of others as it related to hockey in our view,” said Don McIntosh from Hockey Winnipeg.
Kent Klimpke, a coach, completed the Respect in Sports coaching program about five years ago.
“If this is a method to deter that type of behaviour, I’m all for it,” said Klimpke.
He has two sons playing competitive hockey.
He said no one ever feels good when they see parents acting out at games.
"There are times when games are intense and parents get involved and maybe they're now talking amongst themselves in the stands. I think that's where it starts,” he said.
Local hockey officials hope the program will educate parents how to better handle a situation so it doesn’t grow into the type of incident that happened in Fargo over the weekend.
A Winnipeg mother confronted opposing coaches. She was shoved. Her husband intervened and it escalated into fisticuffs.
"I haven't talked to the guys in Fargo yet so I'd like to talk to them to see what happened but (yes) when something like that comes in to the office it's very disturbing,” said Monte Miller from Hockey Winnipeg.
The River East Minor Hockey Association issued a statement Wednesday.
“I would confirm that an incident did take place at the Fargo tournament this past weekend and that parents of a River East 8A1 player became involved with some officials from the Lord Selkirk 8A1 team at the conclusion of their game. Hockey Winnipeg is investigating the matter in conjunction with the Lord Selkirk and River East Hockey Associations however until all statements have been compiled from all available sources, no decisions have been finalized as to possible sanctions, etc.,” said Garth Nolan, president of the River East Minor Hockey Association in his statement.
Until now, Hockey Winnipeg hasn’t had anything that directly addresses parental behaviour.
The group hopes the Respect in Sport program will make a difference.
"It will educate a lot of the parents as to how they're supposed to treat the officials, how they're supposed to treat coaches, managers and basically, how they treat each other,” said Miller.
Once the program takes effect next season, there’s no set rule on how infractions will be monitored or the lessons learned will be enforced.
Parents who spoke to CTV News Wednesday said that, while they don’t yet know how well it will work, they see it as a useful tool.
“You know, there's a lot of stuff going on, on the ice, and…probably people take it a little too serious. So, probably a bit of a refresher or reminder that it's just about kids’ hockey is probably a good thing,” said Martin Hulme, a parent and coach.
Hockey Winnipeg said around 91,000 parents have completed the program across the country to date. They’re estimating close to 6,000 parents will take part in Winnipeg.
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Full statement from River East Minor Hockey Association
I would confirm that an incident did take place at the Fargo tournament this past weekend and that parents of a River East 8A1 player became involved with some officials from the Lord Selkirk 8A1 team at the conclusion of their game. Hockey Winnipeg is investigating the matter in conjunction with the Lord Selkirk and River East Hockey Associations however until all statements have been compiled from all available sources, no decisions have been finalized as to possible sanctions etc. Regardless the outcome of the investigation, these type of incidents are a black eye to the game we are trying to promote.
Hockey Winnipeg today announced the Respect In Sport requirement for parents to take in order to register their children in hockey starting next season. River East Minor Hockey fully supports this requirement and hopes it will be a wake-up call for those that tend to get carried away in our arena's when attending their children’s games.
Garth Nolan, President
River East Minor Hockey Association
