Alright hockey parents who are screaming at the refs, this one’s for you!
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association announced that hockey parents must take the mandatory “Respect in Hockey” program. All team officials, on-ice volunteers and on-ice officials will have to take the appropriate “Respect” education too.
The online course will give parents the tools to ensure that the game is enjoyable and respectful for themselves, their children and all other participants in the game. At least one parent must view the hour-long program by August 31, 2014 or their child will not be able to play in a league.
Is this punishment for a small group of parents? Who is to say that this course isn’t going to stop their bad behaviour? Is this simply a cash grab of $12? How will they know that a parent has watched the video – is there a quiz at the end?
I don’t mean to sound snarky (I do) but seriously, a 1-hour online course for hockey parents isn’t going to change the behaviour of a ‘bad’ hockey parent. I’ve had my own experience of bad hockey parents who ruin the game.
Or will it?
Perhaps the course will help normal the other parents deal with those crazy hockey parents who scream, swear and worst of all, hockey parents who fight. Maybe it will help improve respect and reduce the amount of abuse in minor hockey.
The Respect in Sport Parent Program is being delivered by the Respect Group co-founded by former NHL player and abuse survivor Sheldon Kennedy. The OMHA adopted the initiative in early 2013 and have spent the last year rolling it out. The course is already mandatory in Alberta, all Atlantic provinces and some of British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
Hockey Calgary’s study following a “Respect in Sport” course that 1,000 parents took, showed that most parents thought the course was beneficial.
What do you think about this mandatory course?
