Wed, December 8, 2004

HOCKEY BRAWL APPALLS EXPERTS
MOM, DAUGHTER CHARGED

PARENTS AND child experts are appalled at the alleged behaviour of a hockey mom and her 18-year-old daughter, who face multiple charges following accusations that they assaulted a player and fan at a hockey game in Ajax.

"This behaviour models a terrible lesson, that winning is everything, that losing your self-respect matters little if you get a better score. How tragic," said Dr. Alvin Rosenfeld, a child psychiatrist.

"The only good part is that some children are so mortified by their parents' behaviour that they swear they will never be as obnoxious. That's not a bad lesson!" he said.

According to Rosenfeld, parental over-involvement is rampant in organized sports and "abusive" experiences against referees, coaches and opposing players are not uncommon.

Dr. Sender Deutsch quit refereeing after seven years because parents behaved badly.

"I was yelled at and my life was threatened," said Deutsch, who trains athletes at SHAPE Health and Wellness Centre. "There were some nights I didn't know if I would be leaving the rink dead or alive."

Dr. Arlette Lefebvre said "sports-parent rage" seems to happen "when parents get overinvested in their child or teen's athletic achievement and suddenly feel personally robbed when their child/teen meets with unexpected defeat."

Mississauga hockey mom Wendy Arnott said it's unfortunate these incidents get so much attention. " I see parents who love the game, are enthusiastic cheerleaders, and are very supportive of their kids whether they win or lose," she said.