People Are Afraid To Speak Up When It Comes To Rep Hockey
Editorial by Jim Lowes - Burlington, Ontario
  
The following editorial was sent in by Jim Lowes. He is the father of Koyde Lowes, whose submissions can be found in another section of After The Whistle. Koyde provided the information on Paul Hobly, Coach of The Year. We would recommend that you read that article before proceeding with this editorial. Following the statement by Jim Lowes, you will find a comment by Robert Kirwan, Publisher of After The Whistle.
 
I'm not surprised that you're not getting a lot of e-mails on the subject of Paul Hobly not being appointed to coach a team for next year.

Most parents who have kids in Rep are scared that their organization will read what they say and will be black balled from the Rep system. 90% of parents wish they had a Paul Hobley in their hockey system, but will not say it out loud.

My son (Koyde) wrote the latest article because he was frustrated and couldn't understand why his coach was let go. Rather than screaming or throwing something, he wrote the article to vent what was built inside him. It helped a lot.

Koyde is just a kid. Sometimes as a parent, I can't give him the answer when I really don't understand either. Its too bad that an 11 year old kid doesn't worry if he ever plays Rep again for saying his true feelings. You have these big mouthed parents who like to say things behind closed doors, but don't dare say it directly to someone that has something to do with their child making the Rep. team. To these parents I say get a life.  If you have any balls why don't you say what is on your mind? Don't hide behind your kids. Stop living the dream you could never have through your child.

For me, life goes on whether Koyde plays Rep or house league. I love him unconditionally and I taught him a long time ago to express his feelings in any situation . If Koyde doesn't make Rep next season it's because he's been black balled.

Again, he is in it for the love of the sport and Coach Hobly taught him that losing can be fun.

I would love to take all the kids to a golf tournament with their dads. When their dad goes to tee off or putt they can yell at him to hit the ball harder or make that ever so important putt. They can  yell at him to look at the ball or more to the left.

I'd be shocked if you get anymore e-mails on this subject.  Too many parents are spineless when it comes to their Rep clicks with other people.

Thanks Koyde for having the nerve to tell people how you feel.  I love you a lot and I'll always be proud of the man your growing up to be.

Finally, Coach Hobly, we'll never forget the things you showed us about life and hockey.

Jim Lowes (Koyde's Dad)
Burlington,Ontario

 
We want to thank Mr. Jim Lowes for expressing his feelings on this very important issue. Rep teams or traveling teams or whatever your association calls them, are a very important part of the hockey development system in Canada. In order for gifted players to develop their skills they must compete with and against other gifted players. All professionals will tell you that you are only as good as your competition.

That being said,  Mr. Lowes has identified an ugly side of the Rep system which all too often is governed by politics as much as hockey skills. Because Rep teams have try-outs, there is always a demand for the positions on the club. The coaching staff of a Rep club, therefore, has the luxury of selecting the players who he feels will contribute the most to the team. Unfortunately, this sometimes translates into "whose parents will give me the hardest time if I keep their kid on the team"?

I too have experienced situations where parents have voiced their concerns and complaints in the lobby of the arena or in the stands, but during team meetings with the coach these very same parents suddenly change their tune and say nothing. In fact, they often deny ever having any concern at all.

As frustrating as this is, I would say that it is a fact of life that goes far beyond the rink boards. It takes a lot of nerve for a person to speak his/her mind in public. Once you let others know how you feel, you have to be prepared to take criticism from those who disagree with you. To speak your mind is to take a risk and leave yourself open. However, a person's integrity is considered by many to be the most important possession one can have. It is something that you don't want to lose.

Thanks again to Mr. Jim Lowes for sharing his feelings, and thank you again to Koyde Lowes. You have certainly learned a lot about life this season. The fact that your team didn't do very well in the standings will not mean much years from now when you look back on this year as a turning point in your development as a responsible young person.

Robert Kirwan
Publisher: After The Whistle
 
 

 

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