What Happened
Hockey Nova Scotia has partnered with the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre in Halifax to introduce a mandatory educational pilot curriculum for minor hockey players. The program addresses personal consent and the prevention of hazing, targeting over 2,000 U-15 players of all genders. According to Hockey Nova Scotia executive director Michael Field, the initiative follows a hazing incident from last fall involving two under-15 players in Colchester County who faced sexual assault charges. One player entered a guilty plea last month, while the other pleaded not guilty in May. Kailee Wakeman, director of operations for the Avalon centre, noted that the curriculum expands upon a February webinar held for concerned parents and coaches, with the goal of teaching young athletes to identify coercion, pressure, harassment, and discrimination.
Key Details
- Over 2,000 U-15 minor hockey players are participating.
- The program is mandatory for all genders in the age group.
- Partnership involves Hockey Nova Scotia and the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre.
- Two Colchester County U-15 players previously faced sexual assault charges stemming from a team sleepover incident.