VICTORIA — Minor hockey officials on Vancouver Island say there aren't enough referees in the sport, and they're blaming misbehaving parents for the problem.
The Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association says that in the past two months, about 20 referees have stepped off the ice because of abuse from parents.
Referee-in-chief Kevin Tattrie (TAT'-ree) says a lot of parents are too emotional about kids' sports and that takes the fun out of them.
Earlier this week, five Victoria-area parents were banned from an upcoming playoff game after an abusive outburst.
The association has called for a harassment-free environment for players, volunteers and officials and says parents must do a better job of policing each other's behaviour.
It has threatened to ban all spectators over a weekend at every rinks in the district during minor hockey games as a consequence for rude comments. (CKIZ, The Canadian Press)
