Lacrosse fans in one B.C. community ordered to stay silent during games

So the Port Coquitlam Minor Lacrosse Association has declared "silent stands" during five games this season, meaning fans can't yell, cheer or even clap.

Head referee Craig Labranche said it's hoped the silence will reduce stress on players but the measure is primarily aimed at stemming the abuse heaped on young, inexperienced referees.

"They leave the game because of the abuse," Labranche said. "That was the probably the initial reason we did it, is for respect to the referees and to give them a night off from being harassed."

Labranche said many sports, such as lacrosse, hockey and soccer, have trouble keeping young referees because they quit rather than endure jeering from unhappy fans.

Two games have been played under the "silent stands" rule and three more are scheduled Thursday night.

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Association president David Clarke said the purpose of the games is to raise awareness of the behaviour of parents and fans, and how it affects the players and the young referees.

In the 10 years he's been involved in minor lacrosse, Clarke said he's seen the behaviour of parents deteriorate.

"Unfortunatley, I'd have to say it's escalating, not to the violent point but I think with all of us working 50 hours a week, 60 hours a week, for some reason people tend to think this is a good place to get your stress out, everything that upset you - the ride home and the traffic," he said.

Minor sports leagues all over are having trouble keeping teenaged referees involved, Clarke said, and "no refs, no games."

"We needed to do something," he said. "You toss out the odd parent and it seems like they're always getting replaced by another irate parent."

He heard of a league in the U.S. doing this and decided to give it a try.