The Ontario Minor Hockey Association is investigating an alleged incident of racism involving a U11 Newmarket Minor Hockey Association team.
Both associations have confirmed an ongoing investigation into an incident that occurred at the Magna Centre during a semi-finals matchup between the U11AE Newmarket Renegades and the Alliston-based TNT Tornadoes. The OMHA said it has also contacted York Regional Police about it.
A Facebook post from Alliston parent Stacey Giasson alleges her biracial son was targeted by the opposition, with bananas placed on the arena glass before and after the game March 26.
“My feelings were hurt because this is my child,” Giasson said in a comment under the post. “This doesn’t just affect my son, it affects my other children who are also biracial … I do want to make it clear that my heart does go out to these children as they were put in a position to act in a manner that was instigated by adults.”
The OMHA said it initiated an investigation as soon as they were informed of the incident.
“While the investigation continues, the OMHA would like to emphasize it has zero tolerance for any racism or discriminatory behaviour and will continue to work to educate its participants to create a truly inclusive hockey environment,” the OMHA said.
The incident comes at a time when minor hockey is undergoing some reckoning on racism. An independent committee reported March 29 that the Greater Toronto Hockey League — the largest minor hockey league in the world — has racism and discrimination and needs to make more efforts to promote inclusivity.
But a Facebook post from a Newmarket mother has pushed back on the allegation. Jessica Dizon Burns wrote that her older son’s team paid homage to a lucky lemon that became a team mascot. Subsequently, she said her 10-year-old’s son team had done the same thing, choosing a banana instead. She claimed they had put it against the glass to be a mascot, with the team MVP getting to eat the banana.
“Our team is made up of multi and biracial children and meant absolutely no harm or targeting,” Burns said. “But friends who have reached out upon hearing the story have offered perspective and have told me of professional sporting events where bananas have been thrown onto fields to target black athletes … Education and understanding is how we can achieve a peaceful outcome, to ensure that all children feel they are safe to celebrate, play and be happy on and off the ice.”
Some Black hockey and other sports players have been victimized by fans or opposition using taunts involving bananas or monkey-like gestures meant to draw a racist comparison. The ECHL suspended a player in January over such an alleged gesture directed at a Black player.
In a follow-up post, Burns said it is an important chance to teach the team.
"To say they are too young to be exposed to the realities out there is to be losing a teachable moment for our young athletes to gain empathy as they make choices in their lives," she said. "Why our team did not honestly understand the anger, is to explain privilege. The best we can do from here forward is to become educated and to educate our kids and try to do better."
The Newmarket Minor Hockey Association said in a news release that there was an incident “perceived as racist by the public,” and it is fully cooperating with the ongoing OMHA investigation.
“The NMHA does not condone any type of discriminatory behaviour and will continue to work to create a truly inclusive hockey environment,” it said.
In response to Giasson's account of the incident, Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association chair Jerisha Grant-Hall said the matter is "horrific and extremely troubling on many levels."
"I hope that the impacted family finds connection and healing as this is trauma-inducing," she said. "If children are routinely subjected to racial violence and harm while doing what they love, we really have to reassess our value systems and rethink our humanity. Accountability is the bare minimum. Policies and practices put in place to create safe spaces must follow."
The Newmarket team went on to win in the finals in the York Simcoe Minor Hockey League. But Giasson said the victory will be short-lived and wants the OMHA takes action against the team.
“OMHA, do what’s right,” she said.
