Baker Lake (Apr 19/06) - A Baker Lake mother has pulled her two sons out of school to avoid harassment following an incident at the Blizzard Bantam hockey tournament earlier this month.

The incident began when four members of the Baker Lake Youth Athletics Association (BLYAA) were cheering for Rankin Inlet during the championship game against the host squad.

Rankin won the contest by a convincing margin to claim the championship.

The young athletes' behaviour was reported to the BLYAA by Baker Lake Minor Hockey Association (BLMHA) president Jim Kreuger.

After reviewing the incident, the athletic association sent letters to the parents of the four youth (George Rumbolt, Neal Utatnaaq, Cameron Piryuaq and Tobias Uqayuittuq) indicating they would have to apologize to the bantam team or face a possible suspension of their association privileges.

The letter was signed by BLYAA president Bill Olson, who referred to the athlete's behaviour as a "negative-cheering incident."

Kreuger said it was never the intention of either association to dictate who Baker athletes can cheer for.

He said the four got carried away and acted in a manner contrary to the association's code of fair play.

"The negative cheering arose when our players were being checked and knocked to the ice, being scored upon or taking penalties," said Kreuger.

"When we were scored upon, that's cheering for the other side and that's fine.

"But cheering a mistake or the referee's call against us is a contravention of our fair play code.

"I wanted to show them they were wrong and this wasn't a positive way to cheer."

Kreuger is contemplating resigning his position over the incident.

He said that might give satisfaction to those feeling hurt by the decision.

"Everyone has the choice to cheer for whoever they want.

"But it's a privilege to be a Blizzard athlete and the Blizzard association and minor hockey share a common philosophy with regards to fair play and shared respect.

"I wish I could hold everyone in the community to that standard, but the only people I can hold accountable are those in our organizations.

"Fair play and shared respect are the types of things our organizations stand for."Overreaction Utatnaaq's mother, Katolic Mautaritnaaq, said both minor hockey and the athletic association overreacted to the situation. She said she's pulled Utatnaaq and his younger brother out of school until the situation calms down. "Both my sons are upset over being harassed at school by students and adults over the matter," said Mautaritnaaq. "Many people were cheering for Rankin, but our kids are being singled out. "I don't understand the problem because their code of conduct doesn't say anything about not being able to cheer for other teams. "There were no insults or bad language. They had friends and relatives on the Rankin team and that's why they were cheering for them."Feel like outcasts Mautaritnaaq said the boys feel like outcasts since the incident happened. She said the two organizations should admit they overreacted and drop the matter. "I don't understand what they mean about negative cheering when a player was bodychecked. "Who doesn't cheer at a hockey game when somebody gets hit? "The boys feel degraded and no longer a part of the Blizzard organization. "They should be allowed to cheer however they want to, as long as they're not using bad language or insulting any of the players."Stands by decision Olson said the BLYAA reacted to a request from minor hockey when it issued the letter and it stands by the decision. He said association board members felt the youths' behaviour set a bad example for their peers and younger groups of potential athletes. "If the kids don't follow the process (apologize), there will be a discipline hearing and whatever happens from there will be decided by our board," said Olson. "We promote togetherness in this community and their actions went against that. "This incident has nothing to do with school, and parents threatening to take kids out of class has nothing to do with the areas being looked at."