12-year-old Kayla Watkins just wanted to play hockey.
But after a team-member’s parent drew up an agenda looking to have her ice time restricted, she withdrew from the league because she was so embarrassed.
Kayla should not be embarrassed.
George Atis, the parent who singled Kayla out, should be the embarrassed one.
Kayla didn’t sign up for the Toronto Ice Dogs peewee “A” club team to be humiliated by a team member’s parent. She didn’t sign up to be part of a media frenzy. She didn’t sign up to be belittled, ill treated, and shunned.
Shame on Atis, for forgetting what sports should mean to children.
It shouldn’t be about competition, who is the “best”, and who is the “worst”. It should be about leadership, improving skills, teamwork, and making friends.
No child should ever, ever be made to feel how Kayla felt after accidentally stumbling upon the agenda in her mother’s emails.
Atis, who still believes Kayla’s departure was the best thing for his son’s team is not only making himself look bad, he is setting a bad example for his son, and making other hockey parents-who already have a bad reputation-look even worse.
Although Atis is comfortable defending his position through his blog, saying, “I know people don’t want to hear this but, I’m going to say it anyway: the reason the team is having fun again is because the negative elements have left. It’s that simple,” he refuses to comment to reporters.
Way to go, Atis.
What a way to make that 12-year-old child feel even worse. How could anyone even consider calling a young child a “negative asset”, let alone write it in a blog for the world to see?
According to the Toronto Star, Atis also said Kayla’s play was responsible for the team’s low morale, which resulted in continuous losses.
Interestingly enough, the team isn’t winning any more frequently.
Look’s like Atis’ bid to have Kayla kicked off the team was a success.
