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It’s all sounds so wonderful. In Canada, if you’re a girl, you can play on hockey teams even if they’re comprised of boys. Makes me proud we live in a country where such a thing happens. Then there’s the reality.
Twelve-year-old Kayla Watkins was forced to leave her team because a lawyer father of another player virtually forced her out. The lawyer’s excuse was Kayla’s ‘poor play’. The real reason? Hint, it has something to do with changing in the same dressing room as the boys.
Atis also raised concerns about Kayla changing in the same locker-room as the boys, stating, “there have been many ‘near miss’ incidents where the boys have almost been exposed to Kayla.”
Sick. Kayla may have quit but what would you have done?
If I were the coach, I would have told the lawyer-father to take a hike. The coach is the coach. Parents sit in the stands and enjoy their children play. If a parent starts acting like a lawyer or brings one, then a coach must stop the conversation, and state that he (or she) must consult his/her own lawyer (if available).
In terms of the changeroom. we are human beings. If a parent has a problem with their child changing in the same room as another child, then the parent can take the child home to change. One sees more skin at a swimming pool.
When I read about this ass this morning I was left shaking in anger. That Atis blamed everyone else including Kayla for her leaving only makes him look like an even bigger jerk. Sadly this type of behavior goes on all the time at all levels of hockey, even house league.
If you think politics in Ottawa is a blood sport try having a child play hockey in this province. The machinations that go on behind the scenes are a sight to behold.