Players on two adult basketball teams say they've been kicked out of a recreational league for bringing their children to watch games. They say organizers have threatened to call police if they ever set foot in a Saskatoon Rec League facility again.

On Nov. 3, league manager Dain Renkas sent Michelle Vilar, captain of one of the banned teams, an email saying "it has been an absolute circus each night with all the kids." He warned her and her teammates not to bring children to any further games.

Vilar said she brought her children, seven and 12, along in part to model a healthy, active lifestyle.

She said adults were always supervising the children on the sidelines.

"Our kids were never flying off the walls, jumping around, tumbling around — nothing of the sort," said Vilar.

She added that the league's on-site co-ordinators had seen children at the games and never voiced any concerns.

League bans spectators, cites 'insurance and security reasons'

In an email, Renkas told CBC "we are an adult-only league and we expect only adults to attend our games since they are the only ones on the roster and no one else should be in the facilities for insurance and security reasons."

Michelle Vilar dribbles the ball during one of her co-ed basketball team's games. Vilar says Saskatoon Rec League informed her midway through the season players would no longer be permitted to allow their children to watch games. (Saskatoon Rec League) Renkas added: "We do not have this in our rules and never have thought it necessary as we have not encountered an issue like this before."

A number of people who play dodgeball and volleyball through the same league tell CBC they have brought children along to games without being asked to leave.

The Saskatoon Rec League recently amended its website for all teams. It now states "only players over 18 and on your roster will be allowed to enter the facilities."

No mention is made of children or spectators on the Regina Rec League, Edmonton Rec League or Winnipeg Rec League websites.

​Players call mid-season policy change unfair

Vilar said when her basketball team paid its $370 fee to sign up for the season, she read the terms and conditions carefully, noting nothing online or in the liability waiver mentioned children or spectators.

She said a number of couples who play on her team and several others would not have joined had they known their children were not welcome.

'This league should really reconsider,' said Vilar, speaking with other basketball players who've also been banned from Saskatoon Rec League for bringing their children to games. 'There's a market out there for a league that's family-friendly.' (Omayra Issa/Radio-Canada)

Vilar said she understands if a league prefers to keep games adults-only.

But she said changing the rules midway through the season is unfair.

She noted both banned basketball teams were at the top of their six-team league when they were banned after defying the league's order and bringing children to games on Nov. 6.

"As a business I would expect to be treated much more fairly, especially knowing and understanding terms and conditions beforehand," said Vilar.