When the puck drops on the 2014-15 hockey season at arenas across the province there will be new rules at play, this time for parents.
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), partnering with the Respect Group Inc., is implementing an online Respect In Sport Parent Education Program.
The program will be mandatory for one hockey parent or guardian per family of a child/children registered within the OMHA, as a condition of their child’s participation in next year’s season, effective Aug. 31.
Parent registration and completion of the program is directly linked to the child’s minor hockey record.
“Coaches have been required to do the course for years. Now the next step is for the parents,” said Jean-Paul Cousineau, president of the Centre Wellington Minor Hockey Association (CWMHA), noting many of his fellow board members have already completed the course.
“It really is an education program and the board fully supports it.”
Stephen Vanstone, president of the Erin-Hillsburgh Minor Hockey Association, said his group is also “supportive” of the program.
“I do understand some parents will see it as an imposition,” said Vanstone.
“But I’ve seen enough bad behaviour from fans, many of them parents – not necessarily in our association – that leads me to believe something like this will be helpful.”
The one-hour online course is a proactive, educational program that aims to provide parents with tools to ensure the game is enjoyable and respectful for themselves, their children and all other stakeholders in the game.
The course encourages a greater understanding of parental influence of a child, the roles of coaches and leaders in sport, the role of parents and coaches in ensuring a child’s enjoyment of the sport, and how to protect a child when they are outside a parent’s immediate control.
“It will help improve the culture so that bad behaviour is no longer seen as acceptable,” said Vanstone.
Physical health concerns are also raised with the discussion of concussion awareness and return-to-play guidelines, and the long-term player development model.
Cousineau is clear the program is not intended to be a parenting workshop.
“It’s about aspects of raising an athlete in the game of hockey,” he said. “That’s all the program is trying to do is to educate parents on how to make the game enjoyable for their sons and daughters,”
Christine Cook, CWMHA vice president, says the announcement went out to the league’s membership last week, and the response from parents thus far has been positive.
“I think it will take a while for everyone to absorb it, but eventually, it will be a good education program,” said Cook.
Only one parent or guardian per family must complete the program, but it is not limited to only one person.
“It is ideal that everybody completes it,” said Rick Mathewson, CWMHA local league convenor for Novice, Atom and Peewee. “We need remember we are doing this to have the children enjoy the game.”
Vanstone said he has already heard some parents asking why the OMHA doesn’t target just the “problem people” or parents, but he thinks such an approach would create a whole new set of problems.
“Selectively doing this won’t work, that’s why it’s mandatory,” said Vanstone.
Mathewson notes the program has enjoyed success and longevity in Alberta and Nova Scotia.
“We’re not the forerunners to this,” Mathewson said. “The eventual goal is to make it a national program.”
In addition to parents and team officials, the OMHA will require all on-ice volunteers and on-ice officials to take the appropriate “respect” education.
“I don’t think there is a person in the league who doesn’t [volunteer to] do this so our kids will have fun and that’s what we’re about; whether it is rep or house league, it’s about having fun,” Mathewson said.
The program cost is $12 and the funds go to OMHA administration fees. For more information visit www.omha.net or go to cwminorhockey.ca.
– With files from Chris Daponte
