Growing number of Manitoba minor hockey leagues crack down on COVID rule-breakers

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This article was published 17/12/2021 (1684 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

More minor hockey leagues are threatening to ban children whose parents break COVID-19 rules at Manitoba’s indoor arenas.

South Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Park Hockey Association and Hockey Brandon announced disciplinary measures Thursday after the Free Press reported unvaccinated parents had been sneaking into arenas to watch their kids play.

Hockey Brandon warned it will ban children whose parents are unable to provide proof of vaccination inside an arena, while APHA said it would impose suspensions or bans and call police, if necessary, for any public-health order breaches or disruptive behaviour.

“It has come to our attention that people who aren’t double-vaccinated are sneaking in back or side doors of arenas to watch their child play hockey,” Hockey Brandon wrote in a Facebook post. “Actions such as this put everyone at risk. The guidelines are in place and need to be adhered to or we are in jeopardy of hockey being shut down.”

If a parent inside an indoor arena is unable to show proof of vaccination, their child will be removed from the roster for the season and no fees will be refunded, the association said.

Parents who let people enter through a side or back door will face the same punishment.

“There will be no second chances,” the post stated. “We are instituting a zero-tolerance policy. Please follow the government restriction so we can continue to have our kids play hockey.”

Hockey Brandon’s tough approach mirrors that of the Portage Minor Hockey Association, which announced on Nov. 12 it had been informed unvaccinated parents had been sneaking in to watch their children play.

Joel Braun, president of Steinbach Minor Hockey Association, said executives were recently informed of an incident where a parent tried to enter a Manitoba arena using a fake vaccination card.

In a letter to parents, APHA’s board of directors wrote the new disciplinary measures were required after some families “decided to disregard” provincial COVID-19 regulations.

“If there are any reports of individuals violating public-health orders and disrespecting our volunteers and facility staff, we will issue an immediate three-game suspension,” the letter stated. “Should there be a reoccurrence, an indefinite suspension and a ban from all facilities where Hockey Winnipeg operates will follow.”

APHA said it would call law enforcement if a parent’s behaviour becomes “dangerous or disruptive.”

“We cannot allow our members to disregard the orders,” the board wrote. “Not following and enforcing the public health orders risks our entire hockey program being shut down.”

A Winnipeg minor hockey coach said he welcomed the crackdown, but he was worried parents will end up having to police themselves.

“The enforcement is key and if that doesn’t happen, what’s the point?” said the volunteer coach, who asked to remain anonymous. “I think most parents won’t want to say anything because it causes tension with the people you see every weekend.”

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman urged parents to follow the rules to avoid disappointing children whose previous season was interrupted by the pandemic.

“It’s a pretty unconscionable action by parents to potentially compromise the safety of everyone and undermine the rules,” said Bowman, whose two sons play minor hockey. “If (children) were to get punted from participation, it would be a real shame.”

Some cities have hired outside security companies or extra staff to check sports complex visitors’ vaccination cards or QR codes at entrances.

The Portage Regional Recreation Authority began using a security firm at Stride Place, which has two hockey arenas and aquatic and fitness centres, when the proof-of-vaccination requirement was implemented for adults in September.

“It was something we felt that was really important not only for the public to see, but for our staff and their safety and being able to do their job,” said Angie Shindle, PRRA’s general manager.

Selkirk has hired about 10 casual employees to carry out checks at the city’s two arenas.

“We have specifically hired COVID staff,” said Kyla Ray, the City of Selkirk’s manager of cultural and recreational programs. “We want to be compliant and make sure the kids are able to play. They’ve lost a lot over the last two years.”

Hockey Winnipeg, meanwhile, sent an email Wednesday to remind coaches to wear face masks.

“Hockey Winnipeg has been informed of rostered individuals, specifically coaches on the bench, failing to properly wear masks in indoor facilities,” the email stated. “Coaches on the bench must wear their masks at all times, and wear them properly.”

Referees have been told to treat “improper or non-existent mask wearing” the same as Hockey Manitoba’s mouthguard rule, meaning teams could receive a bench minor penalty for infractions.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching