Supporters of the Foothills Composite basketball teams are being asked to practice more respectful conduct.

In an email to families and alums sent out earlier this month, Head Senior Boys Basketball Coach Amrom Gwilliam outlined unsportsmanlike behaviour from fans that's led to repercussions for teams last year.

He says their school community is blessed to have a high level of support and enthusiasm from fans, but they've had a few complaints about rowdy fans.

"The one thing we have had feedback on from some of the tournaments we've gone to is that our fans are not always behaving maybe in an appropriate way, whether that's heckling referees or getting into arguments in the stands with other fans, trash talking players on the floor, things like that. We've had a little bit of feedback that those types of things are happening in the stands."

It's led to multiple instances of fans being ejected from games, as well as a letter of reprimand from the ASAA regarding a fan's behaviour at a provincial championship.

Gwilliam says it also led to the team being uninvited from a major tournament.

"Last year we had an angry fan who was removed from the game and asked to leave and then subsequently, we were uninvited from the tournament for this year, so our teams will not be going back to that tournament, which is unfortunate."

He says that kind of conduct not only builds a bad reputation for the team and school, but it directly hinders the players.

"Because we haven't really had a league schedule for quite a few years here, we relied solely on being able to go to tournaments to play at the highest level and now this will be one less tournament we're able to go to. Especially with where that tournament was and the time of year, it was an important time for us to get another competitive set of games, so it's definitely going to give us a longer break before our playoff run."

The email is the first step in addressing the issue, and Gwilliam says it's been discussed further within the school.

"We sat down and talked about it with our athletic staff and the Foothills Athletic Association about how we deal with this and try and change the behaviour. We have a few ideas of things that can be done but we're trying to figure out the best way to approach it all," explains Gwilliam.

Issues with rowdy fans aren't limited to the Foothills Composite school community or even high school sports, with professional leagues often taking actions to remove and ban rowdy spectators.

Earlier this year, the Town of Okotoks had to replace panes of glass that were broken at the Murray Arena due to fans grabbing and shaking them.

Gwilliam says it often comes down to enthusiasm giving way to stronger emotions, which can happen easily when surrounded by other passionate fans.

"Most people want to be good fans. The one great thing is they're very passionate about their sports, it seems like a lot of our society is. So, when something doesn't go their way, I think we can all get a little excited in the moment, once in a while. Most people, outside the moment realize with a little bit more rational thinking, that we all need to do better and try to remember that these are kids we're watching playing, and that everyone involved is trying to do their best."

He's still hoping to see packed stands for the upcoming home openers for the boys' and girls' teams at the Foothills Composite on November 28.

They'll be playing Western Canada, starting with the girls at 5:30 p.m. followed by the boys at 7:15.

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