Respect course proposed for eastern Ontario minor hockey parents

An online course that aims to promote better behaviour in parents at minor hockey games may be coming to Ottawa.

Respect in Sport's one-hour course has been mandatory for three years for parents and coaches in Alberta, as well as in other parts of the country.

It covers issues such as misplaced enthusiasm, handling winning and losing, and positive relationships.

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"I've personally been kicked out of two arenas for yelling at the ref for not making the right calls. So, yeah,I don't think it's going to stop anything, at all," said hockey parent Joanne Wright.

Christine Lefebvre, another parent, agreed.

"I think the parents need to realize that this is a kids' game, and calm down,"Lefebvre said. "If somebody takes a course I don't think it's going to change anybody. Anybody that's already aggressive and violent, they already have that tendency, I don't think it's going to change."

Proposed course could costabout $12 per parent

The proposal calls for one parent from each family to take the course when their child registers for the first time. It would cost about $12 per parent.

Laura Deeves, a parent and teacher, said she thinks the course is a good idea, but she doubts parents would want to pay.

"Is it a good idea? Yes, but I'm not sure it would fly. I just don't think, if parents are expected to [pay], that they would," she said.

Coaches and referees have been required to take a similar course for years. Officials hope adding a parent program will make a difference in the stands.

The Hockey Eastern Ontario board plans to vote on the idea in the next few weeks. If members say yes, the course will be implemented for the 2015-16 season.