BOW RIVER BRUINS BATTLE BULLIES
Pink Shirt Day (also known as Anti Bullying Day) started in Canada in 2007. Since then, it has been observed every year on the last Wednesday in February.
Bullying is a pervasive issue that affects countless lives, leaving scars that can last a lifetime. We believe that every individual deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued.
This year, Bow River will be outfitting our U7 through U18 players with pink jerseys as a sign of support for anti-bullying movements and to show that Bow River promotes kindness both on and off the ice. These jerseys will be worn by our teams the week of February 22-29.
We will be working with our coaches and players to provide anti-bullying tools and supports. Bow River is collecting videos and stories from our players and coaches on ‘what is bullying’ and ‘how can we use hockey and our collective sportsmanship to help combat bullying’.
If your player or team has a submission, please send our president an email – president@bowriverhockey.ca
Together, we can provide the tools and motivation needed to take a stand against bullying.
MARQUEE GAMES
On February 29th, Bow River Bruins will host two marquee games to showcase our pink jerseys as part of our Bow River Bruins Battles Bullies campaign.
Join us at the Rocky Ridge YMCA rink on February 29th and help us cheer on our Bruins.
- 5:30 – 6:45pm will see Bow River Bruins U11-2 Gold host the U11-2 Black team
- 7:00 – 8:15pm will see the Bow River Bruins U18 BC1 host SW Cougars U18 BC1
Announcement - audio file
Share this audio file with your music/clock volunteers. Use it in between periods at your games to help spread the word about our Pink Jersey Event on Feb 29th.
What is Bullying?
The Definition of Bullying is:
- Targeting an individual or group with repetitive and intentional negative actions.
- When one person has more power over others and those being targeted feel they are unable to defend themselves.
- When the person being targeted feels alone, afraid, or unwelcome in the organization.
Types of Bullying:
- Physical Aggression: pushing, grabbing, hitting, pinching, spitting, tripping, etc. Also includes destroying property and threatening.
- Social Alienation: gossiping, spreading rumors, intentionally excluding from a group.
- Verbal Aggression: name calling, put downs, swearing, screaming or yelling at a person.
- Intimidation: threatening others to do something, threatening with a weapon.
- Sexual Harassment: any comments or actions of a sexual nature that are unwelcome and make the recipient uncomfortable. Any words written or spoken, or action taken, that ridicules a person’s gender, sexual orientation, or gender identification.
- Racial/Ethnic/Religious Harassment - offensive comments, jokes or behaviours that disparage or ridicule a person’s race, ethnic, or religious background.
- Cyber Bullying: using technology to frighten, embarrass, exclude or damage another person’s reputation. Can include emails, chat rooms, photographs, social media, text messages, etc.
FOR PLAYERS
What do I do if I'm being bullied?
Bullying is never okay. Here are some steps you can take to stop the bullying:
- Stay calm and confident. It can be scary to be bullied, and bullies often target people who seem weak or unsure of themselves. Calmly ask if you’ve done anything to upset them and listen to what they say. You can also tell them to stop, then walk away. Ignoring them is often better than fighting back. Arguing and yelling can make things worse and you might end up getting hurt in a fight.
- Write down what happened with the bully, including names, where it happened, and when. This can help you remember important details and can be useful if you need to report the bullying.
- Stay away from the bully. If possible, try to avoid the bully and stay away from places where they hang out. If you have to be around them, do so with a friend and remember to always stay in a public place. If they are bullying you through texting, block their phone number. If they are bugging you on social media, unfriend and block them.
- Tell a trusted adult. Whether it's a teacher, parent, or counsellor, tell someone you trust about the bullying. They can help you come up with a plan to stop it and keep you safe.
- Get expert advice: If an adult you know can’t help, remember to reach out to BullyingCanada. We’re here to help — any time, any day! We even have counsellors available if you’re feeling really bad, or you’re having a hard time getting over being bullied.
Remember, you have the right to feel safe and respected. If the bullying doesn't stop, don't give up. And don’t feel bad about asking for help!
Source: Bullying Canada
Links for Players
- Pink Shirt Day
- Tips for Targets of Bullies
- Four Steps to Stop Cyberbullying
- Immediate Support: Call 911
FOR COACHES
How can a coach help a bullied kid?
If you are approached by a child who says that they are being bullied, it's important to take their concerns seriously and take action to address the situation. Here are some steps coaches can take to help a kid who is being bullied:
- Listen to the child: The first step is to listen to the child and take their concerns seriously. Let them know that you are there to support them and that you will do what you can to help.
- Document the incidents: If the child is willing, ask them to document any incidents of bullying that have occurred. This can help provide evidence of the bullying and inform any further action that is taken.
- Report the bullying: The coach should report the bullying to the appropriate authorities, such as the organisation that governs the sport. This will help ensure that the bullying is properly documented and addressed.
- Provide support: The coach can provide emotional support to the child, letting them know that they are not alone and that they have people who care about them. The coach can also encourage the child to talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent or teacher, about their experience.
- Encourage positive behaviour: The coach can model positive behaviour and encourage positive interactions among their athletes. They can also lead team discussions on the importance of respect and inclusivity.
Seek further support: Organisations like BullyingCanada can provide additional support and resources for coaches who are dealing with bullying in their sports teams. They can offer guidance on how to address bullying, provide training and education for coaches and athletes, and offer support and counselling to kids who have experienced bullying.
Source: Bullying Canada
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