Vancouver park board votes for unruly parents to perform pushups

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      A motion passed by the Vancouver park board yesterday (April 8) suggests parents who behave badly at sports events should have to “perform either 100 pushups” or deliver “the famed bag of cut up oranges” to an opposing team.

      The motion, put forward by commissioner Constance Barnes, aims to reign in unruly spectators who engage in unsportsmanlike conduct such as booing their children’s opponents or taunting officials. It asks staff to “find new ways of educating and ensuring that all Vancouver Park Board facilities are a safe and encouraging environment for children and youth.”

      “Bullying of all kinds has become a very disturbing and daily occurrence in many of our children’s lives,” the motion states. “Guests and parents should be a positive role model for their child and for all players regardless of their level of play.”

      Barnes later told CBC News that the bit about pushups and oranges was meant as “a good way to bring attention to a very serious issue.”

      The section in question states: “Any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures will be frowned upon and may result in having to perform either 100 pushups or donate to a team of your choice healthy snacks such as the famed bag of cut up oranges for the balance of the season.”

      The motion passed by a vote of 3-2.

      Venues that would be affected by any new regulations include all park board facilities, such as ice arenas and soccer and baseball fields.

      You can follow Travis Lupick on Twitter at twitter.com/tlupick.

      Comments

      2 Comments

      Ping Mao

      Apr 9, 2013 at 2:21pm

      Great...make the bullies stronger. That'll teach 'em.

      Linda Stieler Johnson

      Apr 10, 2013 at 5:06pm

      This is a systemic problem and to suggest tht shaming and punishing the parents will bring about positive change doesn't work. I coached baseball for many years when my daughters were young and the most important quality for me to teach was sportsmanship. The kids learned to love the game and to have fun and to show kindness to themselves and their opponents. The parents were wonderful supporters of their kids and to my model. We need to do better than situps and oranges. Come on people!