Vancouver Island soccer club suspended after teen player slams sponsor

A girlssoccer team based in Comox, B.C.has been suspended amid a dispute over its sponsorshipbya large fish farm company.

Goalkeeper Freyja Reed, 14,has said she was shocked to discover her team was to be sponsored by Marine Harvest,one of the largest operators of open-net fish farming in B.C.

Reedand her mother,AnissaReed, complained to organizers and onlinebecause they believefish farming harmswild salmon.

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In an email to players over the weekend, theRiptide Steering Committee, the organizationbehind the team, saidthe team and all its activities have been suspendeduntil further notice.

"We have had to pause our 2001Girls' team events due to continued breach of our organization's code of conduct by the Reed family, and our concern for the privacy and safety of our club's players, parents, and volunteers," said committee member SeanArbour in a statement to CBC News.

"We will be meeting with the Reed family to discuss the matter, and hope to find a solution that may meet the expectations and values of club and family."

CBC Newsreported last weekthat the Reed family balked at what they described as a "gag order" from the committee, which sought to bar themfrom voicing opinions about fish farming with other team parents.

They were also told if they didn't remove aFacebookpage created to oppose the Marine Harvest sponsorship,FreyjaReedmighthave to play elsewhere.

Reed responds

FreyjaReedresponded to her teammates over the weekend.

"I never intended to hurt my teammates by speaking out, or intrude on their privacy," she wrote.

"This is all so very unfortunate. But I need you to know I cannot apologize for standing up for what I believe in."

The Reeds moved toComox, a town of about 13,000 people on Vancouver Island,last year from the remote community ofSointula specifically soFreyjacould play Tier 2 soccer.

She has said she made "a lot of friends" playing soccer in Comox.