Minor hockey coach betrayed by association

Rarely does a minor hockey season pass without sensational reports about the many problems afflicting minor hockey.  A handful of overzealous coaches and out-of-control parents are giving the game a bad name and doing a great disservice to the children who simply want to play. 

Against this backdrop it is refreshing to read about coaches who have a serious commitment to fair play.  Joe Marriner of the Perth (Ontario) Minor Hockey Association sounds like just such a coach.  When a player on his team speared an opponent in the groin, Marriner suspended the player for 5 games, in accordance with a Code of Conduct Marriner had asked players and parents to sign at the beginning of the season. 

Sadly, the player's parents objected to the suspension and an appeals committee set up by the Perth  Association has opted to overturn the coach's decision.  Justifiably, Marriner has opted to step down.  Shame.

Comments

[Cindi Berg]

Minor Hockey all across Canada needs to change. We are breeding unhealthy children and all in the name of Hockey. Abuse, humiliation, disrespect and no consequences to their actions go on daily in Minor hockey life. How are we, as parents, who sit back and watch this shit suppose to speak out? It is impossible to CHANGE a system?

[Cindi Berg]

Just red the article on the Ottawa incident where the parent's had discipline overturned. GOD, where do we turn, if it isn't the Coaches it is the Parents, what an unhappy sport

Change is no easier (or tougher) in minor hockey than any other part of our lives. In my experience most people associated with kids hockey are great - they put in a ton of time & the vast majority never lose sight of the fact that this is a game for kids. Sadly, there are exceptions...as usual the only way to foster change is through personal involvement.

[Mike Julian]

This is Perths, commitment off their web site.
HAHAHA what a JOKE
Perth Lanark Minor Hockey Association

Promoting and improving organized amateur hockey in the Perth area.

Welcome to the Perth Lanark Minor Hockey website. Please use the links to the left to navigate the site.

Thank you!

Yap first, get facts later. "Coach Betrayed" by association. Joe Marriner "steps down" as coach after decision overturned. Many people prefer QUIT, on a group of 14 & 15 year old kids, when after listening to the "FACTS" presented, found no basis for the suspension being sought. Rumour has it Coach Marriner apparantly threatened to QUIT, even before the hearing, if his decision was even questioned.Far too many rumours and bullshit have been allowed to circulate around arena lobbies everywhere regarding this singular incident. For this, our executive must take full responsibility.Speak up, put out a newsletter,do anything other than sit back with your thumbs up you're collective asses. It's the middle of May and people are still talking about it.I work in the city and hear something about this almost every day. This team was allowed to be run like a circus sideshow from day one. I've been told our associations policy is to interview all coaches and managers before they are allowed to be given these positions. Apparently this was not the case on this team. Perhaps, had you followed your own guidelines, some of the following incidents may not have been allowed to happen. A manager, who almost everyone who has an opinion on this says, has caused conflict and turmoil on every team they have been on every year since getting involved. If this is the case why isn't it being dealt with so dozens don,t suffer every year.Allegedly, a member of the coaching staff was placed under suspension just last year for both verbally and physically attacking our president,in the lobby of an arena no less,but is still allowed to be on a bench,teaching 14 & 15 year old children social and moral lessons, which, instead of coaching hockey,seems to be the stated mandate for this team. If integrity and morals are to be part of a teams structure,should it's leaders not adhere to the rules as well.To begin the season ,no less than ten players I've been told, under the coaches instruction,never even took part in tryouts. Having talked to parents on the team directly below this Rep team,as well as many other very knowledgable hockey people at the arena, some very serious mistakes were made in player selection. Having watched the playoffs,I think this was made quite evident.Another disturbing rumour about this team was the subject of "PLAYER CONTRACTS." If this is true,what kind of bullshit is being allowed to happen with nobody from the executive stepping in. It has even been said that one of the players was taken aside at school and asked to sign some sort of agreement,with no parent present, before being allowed to play again after being suspended under some moral clause or disagreement he had with a coach.Should players and parents coduct themselves in such a way as to make our association proud,most definitly,but let's not forget that these kid's signed on to play for a Rep team,the top level of hockey available to them around here,the goal being a championship at seasons end.Not all hockey players bring the same set of skills and talents to the table,on a winning team it takes all the proper tools to get the job done.So, to all the hockey parents out there who's little JOHNNY is going to the N.H.L. because he scored 40 goals this season,don't stand in the lobby of the arena badmouthing and running down someone else's little JOHNNY that's taking the bruises and poundings so your child can have the glory. Not being originally from here, it is very evident that some children's place of residence play's a major part of how they are treated by some of the parent's on these team's as well as executive and coaches. This must be dealt with aggressively and soon for the sake of our association.Having been involved on executives in other organizations for years, I thought I might get involved here,but after witnessing this executives total lack of integrity,allowing a few shitheads to run amok over both young children and yourselves it's not even a consideration any longer.My wife and I have considered not signing our children up next year but we decided we will on the hope that minor hockey will deal with future problem's promptly and properly.Remember,minor hockey is for the kid's,not just some,all of them.Get rid of the dictators and we'll all be better for it.So, in closing ,perhap's next season when choosing coaching staff and managers, find some who's morals and integrity don't involve quitting and whining when they don't get their own way. Find them, they are out there.

[MT]

You obviously have far more information and background on this issue. I attempted to fairly represent the story based on admittedly limited information from what I believed to be a credible source. I now understand that there is much more simmering below the surface on this one. If I misrepresented any of the facts I apologize, and thank you for any clarification.

[coach]

The above poster was kind enough to provide a contrary view and he is entitled to it. Yet, he neglects some key facts. Such as, the contract was a CODE OF CONDUCT. Very common in minor hockey and the Perth coach enforced his. He also failed to mention that the kid was suspended, not just for the spear but for swearing at an assistant coach. Totally unjustifiable behaviour. I have personally witnessed this player hurl profanities at opposing players, engage in dirty play with intent to injure and generally poor sportsmanship towards opposing players after a win.

Their is indeed two sides to this story. Mr. Marriner may not be perfect, but I doubt he is the extreme villain you make him out to be. My understanding is that Mr. Marriner has been coaching for 20 years without incident, and runs a physical education program as a day job.

It is his perogative to RESIGN when the executive refuses to support him when trying to discipline a problem player.

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