Dear Editor,

Our son went to play ball hockey in Pitt Meadows' Bonson courts in the early afternoon on June 24 and watched some men who were playing.

We know them, and when they finished their game our son started playing.

Soon, a swarm of 20-plus kids and some parents took over and pushed him aside - as he wasn't from their hockey group and despite his skill level being better than most.

Rather than sharing the court or allowing him to join, they took over.

Very poor sportsmanship. Lacking respect or fairness, both kids and parents also showed a lack of social etiquette.

Our son wore an orange hockey jersey and visibly stood on the side after asking a few times to play.

After being pushed off the court and intentionally ignored - despite being there first with several witnesses to back up our story - we left disgusted.

We pay taxes, too, and this is a public place, not just for hockey teams to dominate.

What kind of role models are we as adults when we allow this behaviour?

Was it too much to let him play, instead of ignoring him as he stood with

a hockey stick in hand for 45 minutes while they all selfishly played?

Is that not a form of indirect bullying? Shame on them!

K. Maude, Pitt Meadows

[Note: A fuller version of this letter is online at www.mrtimes.com.]