Minor Hockey Parents Banned From Games for Abusive Behaviour

Several parents on Vancouver Island have been banned from watching their children play hockey for allegedly verbally abusing players on the opposite team.

Five hockey parents are not allowed to attend their children’s midget rep games this weekend as a result. Back in January the Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association (VIAHA) issued a statement saying that the abusive behaviour would not be tolerated.

Jim Humphrey, VIAHA President, says the problem of abuse of on-ice officials and players during the minor hockey games has become such an issue that steps need to be taken.

“The reason is due to their conduct at a game this past weekend and some for actions the previous weekend. We are feeling positive amongst this negative that the message is working,” said Humphrey. “Parents are trying to help out, in fact as we have been told it was parents from both teams that became involved and told those that were misbehaving to cease and desist. The incident was also reported to us which is positive because we then are able to deal with those that caused the problem.”

In the January letter to the community Humphrey stated that the Executive Committee is reluctant to take such drastic measures as they understand that the majority of spectators and parents are positive towards players. However, the small minority that is responsible for the verbal abuse and harassment of both on ice players and spectators needs to be dealt with. Since issuing the warning this is the first time people have been banned from the games.