Alliance Hockey addresses increase in racial slurs

CTV London: Racial slurs in hockey on the rise An area hockey association warns of zero tolerance. Gerry Dewan reports.

An area hockey association is worried about an increase in racial slurs.

Alliance Hockey has issued a bulletin to its member with the hope of putting an end to the incidents.

“We have recently had an increase in the number of reported racial slurs to Alliance Hockey.  Some are alleged and not identified by referees while others have been. In light of the rash of reports of “racial slurs” Alliance Hockey is issuing this bulletin to each of its Member Associations and Referees,” the bulletin says.

“Please pass this bulletin on to your teams at all levels of hockey, and assist us in a zero tolerance of this cowardly and deplorable conduct.  We all know that as your teams enter play downs and playoffs a 3 game suspension can be very costly.”

An Alliance vice-president says the association realized they must address the issue.

"We noticed a real increase in that kind of offence and we sat down and discussed it on the executive of the Alliance and said 'We need to deal with this,’” Keith Woods says.

Therefore, the Alliance has launched an education program.

“Parents are saying this is good. We want to see the kids learn and they learn from other people talking to them and setting examples," Woods says.

Along with the Alliance initiative to try and stem racism, the City of London has launched the R-Zone project.  R standing for respect. It is geared primarily to parents.