Regina hockey parents required to take 'respect' course

With obnoxious behaviour sometimes a problem around rinks, hockey parents in Regina will soon have to pass a test before their kids can hit the ice.

The one-hour Hockey Regina course, called Respect in Sport, promotes a safe and fun sporting environment.

Before their children can play next season, one parent from each hockey family will have to take the course online. The rule takes effect in September.

Some minor league coaches CBC News spoke with said they think it's a good idea.

'At the end of the day — it's just a sport, they're kids'—Coach Miles Krupski

Bill Blake, who coaches seven- and eight-year-olds, says he's been lucky to work with a terrific group of parents, but he's heard lots of stories about other coaches who encounter bad behaviour.

"Hockey is a game where there's just so much passion that coaches and parents and players have,"  Blake said.

"I think it's a great thing to remind everyone that we're out here to learn, but we're also out here to have a lot of fun."

Another coach, Miles Krupski, agreed, saying it could help keep enthusiastic parents from going too far.

"We've all got to remember at the end of the day — it's just a sport, they're kids," he said.

Some Alberta leagues adopted the same rule last year.