Back in 2004 a large portion of Hockey Canada's annual meeting in Thunder Bay, Ont., was devoted to the subject “Parenting in the New Millennium.” Officials spent hours and hours discussing and developing strategies and ideas to try to prevent “problem or at-risk parent behaviour” and brainstorming ideas on how to respond to bad behaviour incidents.
In the 2003-04 season Hockey Canada ran an advertising campaign called “Relax, it's just a game” aimed at the ongoing problem of adults who spoil the game for the players. It also developed what it called a Minor Hockey Toolbox For Parents, again, aimed at parents who embarrass themselves, their spouses, their children, their friends and their children's teammates by their ridiculous behaviour in the rink.
Now, with the next hockey season just weeks away, Hockey Alberta has reminded parents that if they want their child to play this winter at least one parent or guardian has to take an hour-long online course called Respect in Sport. The program – the first mandatory behaviour course for hockey parents in Canada – focuses on the continuing bad behaviour in the stands and provides adults with insight into their actions and coping skills designed to help them handle themselves appropriately.
Good luck with it.
Obnoxious adults at sporting events have been an issue probably since organized sports began. It used to be largely because parents are protective of their children and want them to be the best they can be. But somewhere through the years the expectations of parents changed dramatically and they began crossing the line from acceptable to unacceptable behaviour.
The big change came in the 1970s. The World Hockey Association introduced the million-dollar signing bonus and inflated salaries that ultimately led to today's outrageous player salaries. The Philadelphia Flyers won back-to-back Stanley Cups with a roster that featured more goons than skill and ushered in the era of intimidation and bullying in hockey. And it wasn’t just on the ice, either.
With visions of their sons becoming millionaires, moms and dads were pushing their kids into hockey, even if they lacked the talent and the interest. Suddenly it wasn't just a game, it was an opportunity for their children to become rich.
The lure of the almighty dollar led to intense pressure from those glassy-eyed parents and glory-seeking coaches. Many of them lost perspective. Their unrealistic expectations led to far too many verbal and physical altercations among parents, coaches, referees and officials. And ultimately to death.
Thomas Junta was sentenced to six to 10 years in prison for the 2000 beating death of Michael Costin during a fight after a minor hockey game in Reading, Mass. Costin's son witnessed the beating. That death, which followed an alarming number of violent off-ice altercations, seemed to send enough shock waves that unruly parents finally, slowly, began to realize the impact they were having on their own children.
Still, every year hockey organizations across Canada and the U.S. develop and promote programs they hope will finally get through the thick skulls of that small number of adults who still don't get it. Let’s hope this latest one does the trick.
