OHL makes respecting women part of mandatory training

Ontario Hockey League (OHL) players spend countless hours working on their skating and slap-shots, lifting weights and performing calisthenics to deal with the physical rigors of the long hockey season.

But they will soon be taking part in a training program that has nothing to do with their prowess on the ice, and everything to do with their character off of it.

In a release, the league announced on Tuesday that it is partnering up with several agencies to create the OHL ONSIDE program that’s “aimed at increasing the understanding and awareness of the player’s responsibility to demonstrate respect for women through their actions and words.”

“Players are the most important part of our game and we’re proud to further enhance our player environment to continue developing leaders on the ice and in the community with the introduction of the OHL ONSIDE program,” said OHL commissioner David Branch.

The league is teaming up with the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC), the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre (KSAC) and the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASC) to offer a two-hour workshop to help players understand the importance of respecting women.

“This initiative will see the OHL as leaders in promoting the importance of respectful relationships between young men and women in their communities,” the league said in its release.

“Everyone has a role in disrupting violence against women,” Nicole Pietsch, coordinator, Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres said in a release. “This starts with challenging everyday attitudes, words and actions.”

The OHL ONSIDE program was launched this season with two teams, the Erie Otters and Kitchener Rangers, as pilot programs.

Tuesday’s launch will make it a mandatory part of training for all teams.

OHL ONSIDE by CityNewsToronto on Scribd