Parents Underestimate Their Role in Hockey Safety

New research shows that parents underestimate the critical role they play in educating their children about safety on the ice

OSHAWA, ON, Oct. 11, 2012 /CNW/ - Parents take responsibility for all aspects of their children's lives including health, nutrition and education, but according to new research this responsibility seems to end when their kids step out onto the ice to play hockey. A recent study conducted on behalf of the Chevrolet Safe& Fun Hockey program found that only 38 per cent of Canadian parents believe they're responsible for teaching kids safety on the ice, with 55 per cent saying it's the coach's job to educate players and only 10 per cent recognizing the importance of more parental involvement.

For the past 12 years the Chevrolet Safe & Fun Hockey Program has advocated that respect and responsibility are crucial to keeping young players safe on the ice. The recent study was conducted to determine how informed and engaged parents are when it comes to establishing and enforcing respect and responsibility in hockey.

"Parents already know what needs to be done to keep their children safe but they underestimate how much of a role they themselves play," said Cassie Campbell-Pascall. "One of the things we are doing with Chevrolet Safe & Fun Hockey is making sure everyone, from parents to coaches, are well informed and doing their part to keep players safe."

All participants in the game should consistently demonstrate a respectful attitude toward other people who are involved, irrespective of their position. This includes the reciprocal relationships that exist between players, coaches, managers, referees, off-ice officials, parents, and facility personnel. In terms of responsibility, the onus is on all participants to show responsible behaviour before and after competition. Despite the importance of these values, less than half (49 per cent) of parents believe greater emphasis on respect is the change that's needed and only 26 per cent of parents recognize respect of fellow players as being most important in keeping kids safe in hockey.  Although parents are underestimating their role, the good news is that almost three quarters (71 per cent) say they talk to their kids about safety each time they play.

"Chevrolet has always been committed to providing leading safety innovations and that commitment now includes keeping young players safe while learning hockey," said Peter Cornu, Sponsorships Manager, Chevrolet Canada. "The Hockey Helmet Program as part of Chevrolet Safe & Fun Hockey is our way of providing new and safe equipment and helping these players learn that safe hockey is fun hockey."

For a second year in a row, as a part of Chevrolet Safe & Fun Hockey, Chevrolet Canada is conducting their Hockey Helmet Program. Free hockey helmets are being given away to five year old players registered to play minor hockey in Canada. To receive a helmet, parents can visit the Chevrolet Safe & Fun website. Last year the program distributed 15,000 helmets to players across Canada and is expected to distribute 20,000 in 2012. Partnered with Hockey Canada and ambassadors Bobby Orr and Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Chevrolet Safe & Fun Hockey reaches out to parents, coaches and players at all levels of play. It is designed to help participants develop fundamental hockey skills, to enhance the fun aspects of the game, to provide parents and coaches with key information about their role in guiding young players' hockey experience.

In addition, for the first year, Chevrolet has teamed up with ThinkFirst, the leaders in concussion education and brain & spinal cord injury prevention in Canada. Hockey parents signed up for Chevrolet's Safe & Fun Hockey program will be offered a special discount on the ThinkFirst Concussion Education Course. Parents can go to the ThinkFirst website at www.ThinkFirst.ca for more information.

Other Research Highlights

• 55 per cent of parents say coaches should be responsible for educating players on safety
• Little more than a third (38 per cent) of parents believe that it's their responsibility to educate players on safety
• Parents know the risks of youth hockey with 83 per cent recognizing that an injury to the head isn't the only way to sustain a concussion
• Only 49 per cent of parents believe greater emphasis on respect is the change that's needed
• 71 per cent of parents already say they talk to their kids about safety each time they play

The poll was conducted by the Toronto based Research House and surveyed 400 Canadian parents with kids under 18yrs who also play hockey. It was conducted online from July 11 - 18, 2012.

About Chevrolet in Canada

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.ca, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/chevroletcanada or by following @ChevroletCanada on Twitter.

About Hockey Canada

Hockey Canada is the governing body for hockey in Canada and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), with a membership through its 13 provincial branch associations of over 700,000 players, coaches and officials. Hockey Canada is a not-for-profit organization that creates leading-edge hockey development programs for its members to deliver in communities across Canada, provides consistent rules and regulations and various other membership services from coast to coast, manages numerous regional, national and international hockey championships and events, and leads the operation of all teams that represent Canada in international hockey competition. Hockey Canada's mission is to "lead, develop and promote positive hockey experiences."

About Research House

Founded in 1976, Research House is one of the most diversified data collection companies in Canada. A wholly owned, independently operated subsidiary of the Environics Group of Companies, their excellent reputation is based on many years of providing quality research support services, including data collection, project management and data processing. Research House is a Gold Seal Member of the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA) and adheres to the high level of standards that membership in this national organization requires, including Canadian privacy laws (i.e. PIPEDA).

SOURCE: Chevrolet Safe & Fun Hockey Program

Patrick Martins
Weber Shandwick Canada
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Laura Nava
Chevrolet Canada
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