Sarah Emara has spoken out after head coach Paul Tamburro received a 10-game suspension following a disturbing incident at a Toronto arena.
The incident happened March 1 at Scotiabank Pond Arena, where two under-13 Toronto Young Nationals players repeatedly entered the Toronto Cyclones women's dressing room while players were changing and showering.
The Ontario Hockey Federation discipline panel released its findings July 27. It determined that both young players violated the organization's code of conduct, but neither received a suspension.
The consequences instead landed on the adults responsible for supervising them. Tamburro and three other members of the Nationals coaching staff were each suspended for 10 regular-season games.
The coaches were also ordered to complete online education covering gender-based violence in sport and the supervision of players. The disciplinary response has since drawn questions from members of the Cyclones.
Emara told media the repeated entries didn't look accidental from inside the locker room. She said the boys were laughing when they opened the door and described confronting adults connected to their team afterward.
Cyclones players push for stronger accountability
According to Emara, one adult dismissed her concern by pointing to the boys' age. She also recalled parents using the phrase “boys will be boys,” a reaction that left her stunned.
The discipline panel took a different approach with the two players. It cited their apologies, remorse and acceptance of responsibility while choosing an educational and restorative response instead of suspensions.
Cyclones teammate Katie Armstrong said the decision to speak publicly was about more than one incident. She wants stronger attention placed on the way uncomfortable situations involving women in hockey can be minimized.
Armstrong also argued that women in sports can feel pressure to stay quiet rather than raise concerns. For the Cyclones players, that made publicly addressing what happened an important part of the response.
Acting general manager Lucy Carvalho said the Nationals wouldn't comment on the federation's findings or disciplinary measures. Tamburro also did not respond to media requests for comment.
The suspensions now put responsibility squarely on the coaching staff entering the coming season, while the decision not to suspend the two young players leaves the federation's handling of the case under scrutiny.
Should the young players have faced suspensions too?
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