A few parents in our community need to look in the mirror and ask themselves, was that behaviour appropriate?
Last Tuesday as the Delta Secondary senior boys played its first game of the South Fraser 3A basketball championships at North Delta Secondary against Clayton Heights, a few parents on both sides got into it with the officials.
The heckling turned nasty pretty quickly with foul language hurled at the referees that was so bad, the officials had no choice but to stop the game, clear the gym and ban all spectators from further games that week involving Delta Secondary.
As it turns out, it was one game – the following night.
There is no place for abuse of officials at any time, from anyone, in any sport, yet instances like the one at the gym at NDSS is sadly all too commonplace.
I have seen it many times in our ice rinks and on our sports fields – and not just in this community, but in many, many others.
BC High School Sports has strict policies including an athlete code of conduct and a spectator code of conduct which reads: “Attendance at this event entitles you to enjoy an exhibition of skills developed by athletes in an educational setting. Please be respectful and encouraging in your approach to ALL athletes, officials, coaches, and fellow spectators.”
Clearly, the parents involved failed to remember this code of conduct, and the officials were fully within their rights to suspend them from watching further games.
Delta Secondary was sent a letter from BC School Sports and principal John Pavao in turn, sent out a letter to the team and all the parents offering up his disappointment in what took place.
No parent has any right to engage with officials. The parents are the adults and should be setting an example for their kids.
Parents should be invested in their kids. They should be invested in their extra-curricular activities whether it is in high school or other minor sports.
Cheer, support and encourage, but yelling at officials, hurling profanity at them, and threatening them is way offside.
Be loud, be proud, but be positive and set an example for your children.
