Bit of a worry!

Thread starter #1
Am I the only one getting concerned about the number of young lads racing round the arena during breaks. I was concerned a few weeks ago when going to get a hot chocolate in skate hire I was almost knocked over twice and the lads seemed to be oblivious to anyone else around (I wasn't the only grown up there). Last night I saw two groups of around 8/9 lads racing up and down the steps in the arena taking absolutely no notice of other people on the steps. None of the stewards seem to notice or at least none tried to stop them. I worry that sooner or later someone is going to be seriously injured if something is not done to calm them down. Before you all shout me down I have nothing against them having fun but in days gone by they would have been racing round outside but these days they aren't allowed out - maybe they should be so they can burn their energy out there in safety.
 

Hedd Wyn John

Well-Known Member
#2
Am I the only one getting concerned about the number of young lads racing round the arena during breaks. I was concerned a few weeks ago when going to get a hot chocolate in skate hire I was almost knocked over twice and the lads seemed to be oblivious to anyone else around (I wasn't the only grown up there). Last night I saw two groups of around 8/9 lads racing up and down the steps in the arena taking absolutely no notice of other people on the steps. None of the stewards seem to notice or at least none tried to stop them. I worry that sooner or later someone is going to be seriously injured if something is not done to calm them down. Before you all shout me down I have nothing against them having fun but in days gone by they would have been racing round outside but these days they aren't allowed out - maybe they should be so they can burn their energy out there in safety.
Report issues you see to the stewards.
 

kingmo19.1

Well-Known Member
#4
Hardly surprising, like I've said on numerous occasions - game night at the IAW is like a crèche. I guess its a cheaper to drag this kids along than pay for a babysitter. I'm sure only about 2% of the under 10's actually watch the game.
 

ASHIPP

Well-Known Member
#5
It's not so much the kids running about (although I can see how that could be a safety issue if not controlled)...it's the groups of lads (and sometimes girls) who are not hockey fans, have no interest in the game and have little respect for people sitting around them.

They constantly get up during play and disrupt people's view. They return from the bar spilling drinks over seated people they are trying to get past. They talk or shout across you if their friends are in the next row. Many of them get louder the more they have to drink....and then the bad language comes out.

I know the Club has no control over who buys tickets. It is fantastic that they are attracting sell-outs to most games. But a reality check needed here - a fair few first-timers or regular new visitors have absolutely no interest in the game or the sport....and no respect for those who want to watch it. And it is unlikely that they will ever be converted. They simply see the IAW as an alternative drinking venue or an alcohol stop before a night on the town.

I witnessed several fans sitting near a group of 4 rowdy lads ask them to stop shouting and swearing a few rows in front of me in block 17. Those same guys just continued swearing and repeatedly took it in turns to visit the bar during play. They were, I believe, reported to the steward at the top of the block...a young lady who looked absolutely terrified at the prospect of having to deal with that group.Nothing was done to remove these people.

On another occassion before Christmas we had 4 drunk male teachers sitting in our row.....the disgusting way they were all graphically discussing what they wanted to do to a female teaching assistant they all knew was not only loud, it beggars belief. Thankfully, they moved away after several people complained directly to them.
 
Last edited:

august04

Well-Known Member
#6
Agree with ASHIPP regarding the increase in groups of people clearly intent on getting bladdered, rather than watching the game. It’s been a regular occurrence in my block this year, almost to the point when it’s a nice change when you have a game where your enjoyment isn’t disrupted by loutish behaviour and foul language by groups clearly not interested in on ice matters. I think it’s a very real and growing problem for the club. Perhaps beer sales are more important, who knows. Not just a Devils problem though - I see the same at international rugby matches too and I’m sure I read recently that the WRU are considering alcohol free zones in the stadium, to try to curb this anti social behaviour.
 
#7
Ice hockey is like a crèche tbh.
So many kids running round screaming etc than actually watching the game.

They all just meet there friends and run riots for the majority of the game..

It is annoying but what can we do??
Tell security who don’t seem to do much?

Obviously there parents don’t care if they fall or hurt themselves or anyone till it’s too late.
 

Johnnybravo1927

Well-Known Member
#8
I think we need to add some fairness to this. My children are 9 and 6, my 9 year old also plays hockey and is besotted with the sport. My 6 year old daughter has no real interest but goes every game, we could leave her with family but we have got her a season ticket and she is slowly getting into. Behind me are another 2 families who's kids also play hockey. 6 children in total all bringing in revenue to the club and the rink. I have never once had anyone ever approach me about behaviour of any of them. My son plays football with his mates in skate hire during the interval and again nobody has complained. Last season I sat in block 18 near the back and every week had to contend with drunken fools getting bladdered and swearing in front of my kids and I had to frequently remind people where they were and the policies on language. It made last season hard work and sitting now in block 8 is a pleasure. Its unfair to refer to the rink as a creche with parents who dont care what their kids are up to and bring them only because its cheaper than a babysitter. Everybody was quick to agree that hockey is tolerant and for everybody when it was LGBGT night but now certain people want an adult only sport. Its an arena, there will be thousands of people in there and a lot of them you dont know, its not a private box. I honestly think that because we have a good set up, good rink and the on ice product is good that people are desperate to find something to whine about. Rant over!
 

Ocko

Well-Known Member
#9
We are hardly an event like the theatre, it's a relaxed environment and I hope it stays that way. Newbies not knowing the etiquette, kids running around, people drinking. So what? They buy a ticket, just because it doesn't conform to the norm you associate with the cliques you're used to doesn't make them any less welcome. They're the ones who should be made the most welcome so they come back. Nothing makes me cringe more than the older fans who shout and moan at people standing who genuinly don't know. It seems people forget their manners if someone stands in their way for 2 seconds.

If I had the choice I'd get rid of the morons who shout shoot every time we have the puck or those who moan at every single decision made by the refs over the kids or drinkers. But we can't always get our own way.

I suppose we've run out of players to moan about so it's time to start being picky over who attends.
 

august04

Well-Known Member
#10
Newbies not knowing the etiquette, kids running around, people drinking. So what? They buy a ticket, just because it doesn't conform to the norm you associate with the cliques you're used to doesn't make them any less welcome. They're the ones who should be made the most welcome so they come back.
No problem with kids running around, new fans etc etc but I hope we never welcome anti-social, foul mouthed yobs solely intent on getting plastered and effecting the enjoyment of those in their vicinity. I’ve seen too many of them this year at IAW unfortunately.
 

ASHIPP

Well-Known Member
#11
We are hardly an event like the theatre, it's a relaxed environment and I hope it stays that way. Newbies not knowing the etiquette, kids running around, people drinking. So what? They buy a ticket, just because it doesn't conform to the norm you associate with the cliques you're used to doesn't make them any less welcome. They're the ones who should be made the most welcome so they come back. Nothing makes me cringe more than the older fans who shout and moan at people standing who genuinly don't know. It seems people forget their manners if someone stands in their way for 2 seconds.

If I had the choice I'd get rid of the morons who shout shoot every time we have the puck or those who moan at every single decision made by the refs over the kids or drinkers. But we can't always get our own way.

I suppose we've run out of players to moan about so it's time to start being picky over who attends.
Nothing to do with 'cliques' or 'older fans', Ocko. It's about a bit of common decency and respecting fellow ticket purchasers. Foul language, shouting and talking over people genuinely watching the game, and constantly getting up to refuel (which in turn increases their noise level and bad language), slopping drinks over other people because they are too sloshed to get passed them properly is NOT being considerate to the many people, new visitors or fans, who have actually come to see the game. There is a massive difference between having a few laughs and drinks with your mates....and getting so drunk, loud and foul mouthed they don't give a monkeys about anyone else in the vicinity. No-one should have to put up with that.
Some people can tolerate it, but it's eroding the enjoyment for others - judging by some of the comments on here, other folk agree.
 
Last edited:
Thread starter #12
First of all I am not criticising all the children I personally love to see children at the games I'm not even criticising the lads apart from the fact that they don't seem to be aware of the dangers to those around them particularly on the steps. As a shall we say older person I am really not steady on steps with no handrails and don't suppose I am the only one. I get jittery even when someone is just walking towards me on the steps never mind a group of young lads racing round me so to be clear I don't want an adult only rink but I do want a safe rink. Let the boys have there fun in skate hire or preferably outside the rink during the intervals but not on the steps and yes Hed Wyn Jones I will mention it to Security to make them aware.
 

Johnnybravo1927

Well-Known Member
#13
First of all I am not criticising all the children I personally love to see children at the games I'm not even criticising the lads apart from the fact that they don't seem to be aware of the dangers to those around them particularly on the steps. As a shall we say older person I am really not steady on steps with no handrails and don't suppose I am the only one. I get jittery even when someone is just walking towards me on the steps never mind a group of young lads racing round me so to be clear I don't want an adult only rink but I do want a safe rink. Let the boys have there fun in skate hire or preferably outside the rink during the intervals but not on the steps and yes Hed Wyn Jones I will mention it to Security to make them aware.
In all fairness I thought your original post was fair and balanced. It was Kingmo and Rabbitoh that decided to make stupid comments.
 

Devil_Abroad

Well-Known Member
#14
We need to report such behaviour to the staff. If they fail to act then report it to the management. They always want to hear how they can help make the evening an enjoyable time for everyone (they can’t of course control how our players perform nor the opposition!)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

pjj365

Well-Known Member
#15
It's all well and good reporting this kind of behaviour but from my perspective that is not the point. In fact imagine trying to keep them confined to their seats!

The kids need to let off steam, there is no room for this in IAW BUT in the early days (as in the BBT) they could go outside in the period breaks. For some reason they can't any more.

I do not see this as family friendly
 

Devil_Abroad

Well-Known Member
#16
It's all well and good reporting this kind of behaviour but from my perspective that is not the point. In fact imagine trying to keep them confined to their seats!

The kids need to let off steam, there is no room for this in IAW BUT in the early days (as in the BBT) they could go outside in the period breaks. For some reason they can't any more.

I do not see this as family friendly
We’re allowed to go outside - why aren’t the children? Parents should be parents and therefore responsible for the behaviour of their children - it’s called good parenting. Those who aren’t should risk being asked to move or leave if they fail to control their kids where it causes either a nuisance to those trying to watch the game or worse by knocking into people causing injury.

Just my thoughts on the matter........


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Wannabe2

Well-Known Member
#17
Let the kids go outside, then lock the doors. That’s a joke folks, it’s great to see youngsters at the game, my Grandson goes, but we control him as we should, what you can’t have is kids running amok, and I don’t believe the club would put up with that either. There are quite a few people who go in their Late teens/early twenties who have very little interest in the game, they just want to get pissed and move on to town, they are a bigger pest than the kids as they get verbal and nasty.
 

pjj365

Well-Known Member
#19
We’re allowed to go outside - why aren’t the children? Parents should be parents and therefore responsible for the behaviour of their children - it’s called good parenting. Those who aren’t should risk being asked to move or leave if they fail to control their kids where it causes either a nuisance to those trying to watch the game or worse by knocking into people causing injury.

Just my thoughts on the matter........

It's not what it was.

There is a smokers exit/area but why would kids and their parents want to go out into a crowd of smokers. I smoke but would not want my grandkids out there.

The old days when non-smokers went out to socialise and their kids came with them have gone.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
's not what it was.


There is a smokers exit/area but why would kids and their parents want to go out into a crowd of smokers. I smoke but would not want my grandkids out there.


The old days when non-smokers went out to socialise and their kids came with them have gone
 
Top