REGINA – Hockey is our country’s most loved sport, but when passion for the game turned ugly at minor hockey games in British Columbia, one league threatened to ban fans from the arenas.
Yelling at referess, heckling players, fighting in the stands… it all became too common on Vancouver Island.
It resulted in parents being sent a letter to remind them of the rules and warn of a potential spectator ban.
Other leagues in Ontario and Quebec have instituted bans in the past.
But thankfully the situation isn’t quite so serious here in Regina, meaning fans won’t have to worry about empty stands any time soon.
Stephen Eager, President of Hockey Regina, says the league is taking proactive measures to limit unruly parent behaviour.
At least one parent of each child enrolled in minor hockey in the Queen City must complete an online respect in sports course.
“That covers a lot of things, like behaviour in the rinks, proper encouragement for your child, dealing with injury.”
The league has also added more on ice officials, and is trying to ensure at least one referee is older – and better able to stand up to parent criticism.
If spectators still aren’t getting the message, they can be ejected from the arena. Eager hopes that’s not necessary.
“It’s competitive and it’s exciting. Let’s make sure we’re encouraging the kids and encouraging the officials to do the best job they can.”