Editorial cartoon

 

 

Rant author should step up to coaching job

THE EDITOR,

Last week The Review published an anonymous rant from a 71-year-old who criticized Vankleek Minor Hockey.

This person watched a midget game in Vankleek Hill where there were a lot of penalties.

This person was ashamed to be in the crowd on the side of Vankleek Hill. The 71-year-old thinks the minor hockey association should refuse coaches with these philosophies.

I would like to tell this 71-year-old that discipline in minor hockey is a long way from the strap in the schoolhouse.

Minor hockey coaches must take courses to qualify for these positions.

A large portion of time in these courses is spent telling coaches how they must conduct themselves around kids.

The coaches of that midget team are very well respected by their team and by the minor hockey association.

There is absolutely no irreverent behavior from these coaches.

I would suggest that the 71-year-old start taking some of these courses. Because of the “rant”, we may lose these valued volunteers.

This person mentions that the minor hockey association should refuse coaches. I have sat on the Vankleek Hill Minor Hockey Executive for five years and I can’t recall ever refusing a volunteer.

The minor hockey executive is made up of a hardworking group of people who are all trying to make minor hockey successful in Vankleek Hill.

Yes, we do face the same challenges of many small clubs but we are doing our best. If this association is in need of rebuilding then step up and help out.

If merging parts of the association is what we have to do to be successful then respect the decisions. Mostly, I would like to remind people that it is very easy to coach and run a hockey association from the stands.

As for the ranter who criticized minor hockey, I will have a coach’s application waiting at the annual general meeting on May 6.

MITZI DANDY,
VANKLEEK HILL