Culture & Entertainment

Is the newly implemented 'no-touch' policy for coaches of girls hockey league necessary?

Canadian Living
Culture & Entertainment

Is the newly implemented 'no-touch' policy for coaches of girls hockey league necessary?

IMG-20150125-00870 A Toronto girls hockey league just implemented a 'no-touch' policy. Coaches cannot touch players on the bench - no even on the helmet - not even a celebratory shoulder pat - not even an encouraging tap of any sort. In a recent e-mail sent out to coaches of various girls teams, John Reynolds, the executive vice president of the Leaside Hockey Association said there should be no contact under any circumstances between coaches and players. Reading this news made me sad and insanely frustrated. Touch is a very important part of the human experience. One of the best parts of kids and sports is watching the interaction between a coach and his team. A simple tap on the helmet  for a 'job well done' or a pat on the back for a 'keep your chin up' should not be abolished. There is already a lack of human contact in the world and rules like this can only teach our children to be fearful and distrustful of anyone and everyone.  In the end, once again, we are robbing our children of life's little pleasures. We started this conversation on our facebook page and I'd like to share some of our very insightful Canadian Living readers responses with you. Q. A Toronto girls' hockey league has set a no-touch policy for coaches during games. Do you think this hands-off policy is a good idea? So we remove all contact and then wonder when kids are confused and can't differentiate between appropriate contact (high five) and inappropriate contact (touching a private area) when it's all deemed "inappropriate". Epic fail!/Laura Laird  So I guess high 5s are no longer allowed. It's getting to a point were children are going to think all touching is inappropriate/Amanda Rutledge Oblinsky As a teacher and parent, I feel that this is completely ridiculous. Tapping a helmet or patting someone on the shoulder is a way of showing praise, or can direct their attention to where it is needed..if you are talking to them and they are distracted. Next thing you know we won't be able to make eye contact with them for more than 2 seconds because it will be deemed inappropriate./Elizabeth Matos The pendulum has swung too far to the right. Hands-off the private areas or if a child is uncomfortable with touching, yes. No touching at all? Extreme reaction./Janet Lawlor absolutely NOT - we are raising our children to be fearful and distrustful of everyone and everything. this is so disappointing and so unhealthy!/Deb Unger Loewen This is completely ridiculous. A person who is inclined to cross the line will do so with or without this rule. There's already a lack of human contact in our world...is the goal to have none at all?/Kelly Bellinger Valle  What a shame that this hockey league has brought this policy in./Margaret Hache  Nope just teaches them to hide if there's inappropriateness./Lisa M Zolinsky What are your thoughts on this newly implemented no-touch policy for coaches of girls hockey league?

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Is the newly implemented 'no-touch' policy for coaches of girls hockey league necessary?

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