Join a recognized minority, get exemptions from the rules

[Donald]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columb ... et-bc.html

BC Hockey has changed its new mandatory helmet policy for coaches to allow exemptions due to religious observances, after a challenge from a Sikh minor hockey coach.

The province's governing minor hockey body announced Monday that coaches who can't wear helmets due to religious reasons can sign waivers to be exempt from the policy, which took effect the same day.

The policy requires all minor hockey coaches to wear CSA-approved helmets during any BC Hockey on-ice sanctioned events.

The policy change means coaching can continue for Harb Bains, a devout Sikh man in Surrey, B.C., who challenged BC Hockey.

"An exemption to the helmet policy may now be requested on the basis that the wearing of a helmet would interfere with the observance of a religious custom," BC Hockey said in a release. "The granting of such an application will require the applicant to provide a signed BC Hockey Helmet Policy Waiver form to participate in any BC Hockey sanctioned activity."

The mandatory helmet ruling was put in place after two coaches — both in Alberta — suffered head injuries earlier in the season while they were on the ice during practices with their teams. One of the coaches died.

"These injuries may have been prevented if a CSA-approved helmet was worn and have led to a number of branches of Hockey Canada adopting similar helmet-on-coaches policies," BC Hockey said.

British Columbia is the seventh province to have a mandatory helmet policy for minor hockey coaches. Hockey Alberta is introducing a similar policy on Jan. 1, 2009.

[Doc]

Nothing makes me want to puke more than the way this country goes out of it's way to appear politically correct. I'd like to see these jerks (jerks....that's not racist!) try this crap in Texas! What total and utter BULLSHIT!!

[C-GGGQ]

I'd say BS if it was a player getting out of wearing a helmet. but nhl coaches dont wear them so whats the big deal if a coach doesnt wear a helmet seem like the rule itself was kind of knee jerk and arbitrary. not to make light of that coaches death

[daveg]

This is only because BC has no white people left there. (that's not racist either)

[g5]

Yeah and if you're Sikh you should be able to bring your ceremonial dagger into prison too...

[Changes in Latitudes]

Yeah and if you're Sikh you should be able to bring your ceremonial dagger into prison too...

Hell you should be able to bring it on the ice and score goals with it. Slashing penalties may have to become a little more harsh though.

[drifter]

The rule was brought in for safety. Don`t you think 20 feet of cloth wrapped around your head would give you some sort of protection while still following your religious beliefs?

[iflyforpie]

But is it CSA approved cloth? Maybe they should do some testing.

[Troubleshot]

To please both parties the Sikh man should have to paper mache the cloth...

[MG_]

.

[altiplano]

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[av8tor_assrope]

The only reason I’m adding to this thread is because I play beer league once a week and one of my fellow teammates just happens to be Sikh. It’s his first time playing hockey in an organized league. The dude (I hope by calling him a dude I’m not sounding racist altiplano) probably has the best attitude I’ve ever seen.

When he joined the league he asked the convener if there was any way he could avoid the CSA helmet rule (since it's not a real competitive league) and the convener politely told him if he wished to play in the league he would need to wear an approved CSA helmet. So what does he do? He takes it off before the game and puts it back on after the game. Period....end of story. He never once brought up the race/religious card or any of that bullshit. He just wants to play hockey and he understand there's no exceptions.

If you don’t want to abide by the rules due to your religious beliefs piss off....no one is forcing you to play.

Okay story/rant over.