Gatineau coach dismissed following incident with official
Tashi Farmilo
In a recent development within Quebec's amateur sports community, Olivier Schingh-Gomez, the head coach of Polyvalente Nicolas-Gatineau's U18 Division 1 team, was dismissed from his position with the Gatineau Intrepid organization. This drastic action comes in the wake of an alleged physical altercation involving Schingh-Gomez and a referee.
The incident reportedly took place in the locker room corridor of a Terrebonne arena, following a match in which Schingh-Gomez's team suffered a defeat. According to a statement from Terrebonne police, officers responded to the scene following reports of the altercation, which involved physical violence and threats. A police representative stated, "At this stage, we can confirm that the investigation is ongoing. An adult has been arrested, and we have interviewed several people, including minors and witnesses. The case is still active, and we cannot divulge more details as it has not yet reached the prosecutor, and charges have not been filed. However, the arrest and the ongoing investigation are confirmed."
L'Intrépide, the governing body of the Gatineau Intrepid structure, responded swiftly to the situation. In a press release, they emphasized their commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment in sports. They highlighted their strict policy against mistreatment, violence, incivility, harassment, and discrimination. Given these principles, the organization stated that they had no choice but to take immediate disciplinary action against the involved parties.
Additionally, reports from the daily Le Droit indicate that Jonathan Lacroix-Courville, the team's assistant coach, faced repercussions for his conduct as well. He reportedly received a two-match suspension for verbal abuse directed toward an official. This action further underscores the seriousness with which L'Intrépide is addressing issues of misconduct within its ranks. The Terrebonne police added, "The individual arrested was released with a promise to appear under certain conditions."
This incident has sparked conversations about the importance of sportsmanship and respectful conduct in amateur sports. The swift response by L'Intrépide serves as a reminder of the vital role that coaches and officials play in upholding these values.
Photo captions: Olivier Schingh-Gomez, Head Coach of Polyvalente Nicolas-Gatineau's U18 Division 1 Team, dismissed from Gatineau Intrepid following recent incident in Quebec's amateur sports community.
Photo credit: Tashi Farmilo
