The Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association is prepared to take "drastic" steps to stop spectators from abusing on-ice officials and players during minor hockey games.
VIAHA president Jim Humphrey, in a bulletin to VIAHA membership, says the issue is so serious the executive committee is considering banning spectators from arenas.
Calling it a Spectator Free Weekend, access to the “cold” area of all arenas on Vancouver Island District would be restricted to players, on- and
off-ice officials, team officials, MHA presidents, game supervisor, VIAHA officers and staff during minor hockey games.
On the Feb. 21-22 weekend, five Greater Victoria parents were banned from attending their kids’ hockey game after yelling at officials and members of the opposing team the previous weekend.
Humphrey said VIAHA is investigating similar incidents across the Island in which parents have lost sight of the spirit of the game. “By the end of the week, there will probably be at least 12 parents sitting out, all from up and down the Island,” he added.
Humphrey's bulletin on spectator conduct is on the Comox Valley Minor Hockey Association website at cvmha.goalline.ca