Behave or you're banned, London minor hockey group warns 'screaming' parents

Unruly conduct from hockey parents at London, Ont., rinks has forced the city to hire extra security guards and prompted a local minor hockey association to remind parents to tone down the inappropriate behaviour.

In a letter sent to parents Wednesday, the London Bandits' board president emphasized that parents and coaches need to stop screaming and using foul language in front of kids and referees or they risk police involvement and being on the hook for security costs.

The London Bandits Minor Hockey Association said it has received numerous warnings from the city over the last few weeks about disruptive behaviour and verbal insults directed at members and arena staff. 

"We are at children's hockey games where in the end we just want kids to have fun. Having players witness foul language, and screaming parents at referees, board members and arena staff is completely inappropriate," read part of the letter. 

"We will not accept any type of behaviour that can be 'bullying' in nature. We have two weeks left [in the season] folks, let's think about the kids first, and be appropriate examples at the London city rinks."

The league told CBC News it has no further comments at this time. 

The letter warned that failing to comply with the Bandits' code of conduct will result in the city triggering an Rzone process, which could lead to individuals being banned from the rinks. 

Some of the Bandits' fair-play conduct for parents includes:

•  I will not force my child to participate in hockey.
•  I will remember that my child plays hockey for his or her enjoyment, not for mine.
•  I will encourage my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence. 
• I will teach my child that doing one's best is as important as winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game.
• I will support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children's hockey games.
• I will respect and show appreciation for the volunteer coaches who give their time to coach hockey for my child.

Rzone promotes respect in public spaces

Rzone is a program requiring anyone who uses a City of London recreation facility, park or program to respect others and take responsibility in maintaining a positive environment. The "R" in Rzone stands for Respect and Responsibility. 

It gives city staff clear authority to deal with issues of bullying, violence and discriminatory behaviour, issues that, according to the city's website, have been growing.

Rzone applies to all people or organizations using city facilities.

"If the city is made aware of an incident, staff will first explain to the individual or organization that their behaviour is unacceptable and ask that it be corrected. If the behaviour does not stop, an official Rzone complaint is submitted which triggers a formal investigation, and individuals may be banned from facilities," said Jon-Paul McGonigle, the city's director of recreation and sport, in an email.

In the specific case of the Bandits, a formal Rzone process has not yet been triggered, he added.

"We were made aware of incidents of possible inappropriate conduct during hockey games, and we worked directly with the Bandits to try and cease such behaviours. The letter sent by the board president was sent with this goal in mind."

Rowdy fans demoralizing: amateur hockey authority

Fans getting rowdy in expressing their disagreement with coaches and officials is "escalating tremendously" in all sports and can demoralize everyone trying to enjoy them, said Laura Brown of the Ontario Hockey Federation — a governing body for amateur hockey in the province. 

"For officials, it's really hard to be in an atmosphere where you're getting blamed for your role, even when you're the one who's read the rulebook and you've gone through specific training," she said. 

"There wouldn't be someone yelling at you if you were at an office job or another place of employment and we have to keep that in perspective." 

If the trend continues, Brown worries volunteer bases for coaches, trainers and on-bench officials will start declining. 

"We have to remember we're doing it [for the players]. There's no reason for us to be yelling at them to hit harder or shoot the puck. Fans are supposed to be there to cheer, celebrate the game and support your kids' passions," she said. 

"You have to remember it's just a game ... make it a positive experience for your kids."