Hockey Quebec is seriously considering making mandatory training in “savoir-vivre” for parents next season in order to put an end to excesses in the stands.
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“What we are currently thinking about is making “respect and sport” training mandatory, it has not yet been decided for 2023-24, but it is one of the very good options we have on the table”, confirms Jean-François Leblond, director of programs and training for Hockey Quebec.
“If it was me, it would have been compulsory for a long time. [la formation aux parents]“says ex-hockey player Bruno Gervais.
The latter collaborates with Hockey Quebec as director of customer relations for the Respect Group, a company founded by former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy which offers training to counter abuse and intimidation.
“Too often I have seen young people experience performance anxiety, crashing or wanting to quit the sport, because of what was happening in the stands,” he admits.
Already mandatory for some
Since 2018, this good conduct training is already mandatory for coaches and managers of all minor hockey teams in Quebec.
It was also accessible free of charge to parents who wanted to follow it online and everything was recorded in the player’s file.
However, what makes Hockey Quebec hesitate in its intention to go further is the application of these new regulations.
“Do I want to prevent a player from playing because his parent does not want to train?” asks Jean-François Leblond, who admits to being faced with a dilemma.
Even if he considers that the vast majority of parents adopt good behavior when they attend their child’s matches, the speakers deplore that some are transformed like in the days of gladiator fights at the Colosseum in Rome.
Over the years, Bruno Gervais has heard all kinds of derogatory comments from parents who allow themselves to be. “I was a coach, it was a cold shower, I stopped it after a year, he says. People were like, excuse me, I’m an intense guy.”
FILE PHOTO, QMI AGENCY (TOMA ICZKOVITS)
Bruno Gervais
Intimidated Coach’s Wife
Among the unfortunate incidents denounced on social networks during the last season, a mother from Abitibi went through hell.
The mother of an 11-year-old hockey player and spouse of the Pee-wee club coach chose not to go to her son’s games anymore because she was tired of hearing the insults directed at the two humans she loves.
“The parents were really unhealthy. At first they yelled at my boyfriend and then they criticized my son. So, the more it went, the more I was going to sit alone and at some point just the looks and the heaviness, I said to myself: no, I’m not going there anymore, ”says Annick Coulombe again with emotion.
What she finds even more unfortunate is that the players had great team chemistry and the youngsters had fun playing their favorite sport, but all the adult bickering has ruined the season.
“Next year, my spouse said he couldn’t coach, for my son, I don’t know, we’ll see,” concludes the mother.
What they said about overflows in the stands
“Me, my little guy comes to see me and says: I would like to be a referee dad, I say: no, we will find you a job at the convenience store.”
– Bruno Gervais
“The player who sees his dad shouting with his arms in the air, he will immediately take his emotions and it will influence his behavior. The child is a sponge.
– Bruno Gervais
“It ended up blowing up between parents and coaches in front of everyone, the little guys saw it and then it was crying in the bedroom. That’s when I decided not to go to the arena anymore.
– Annick Coulombe