Junior netball game called off after fight between spectators at Golden Grove Recreation Centre
SPECTATORS have breached netball’s no-contact rule by brawling in the stands of an under-13 game, forcing the game to be called off and police to be called.
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A JUNIOR netball match in Golden Grove was reportedly abandoned after two supporters were involved in an off-court fight on Friday evening.
The Advertiser understands an under-13s match between a local school and another team was called off at three-quarter time when police were called after the altercation at Golden Grove Recreation Centre.
It’s understood the incident initially involved a group of spectators before it descended into a physical altercation between two individuals.
The two men reportedly knew each other and had a personal history with the fight not relating to what was going on during the game.
The centre is managed by Tea Tree Gully Council.
The council’s manager of recreation and leisure services Felicity Birch confirmed there had been an “isolated incident” at the centre on Friday, July 7.
“Poor behaviour is not condoned by centre management and the matter is under investigation,” she said.
The council would not say if the matter was being investigated by centre management or police.
“This incident does not reflect the behaviour of the 20,000-plus visitors per month to the centre,” she said.
The fight has been condemned by Netball SA even though the game was being run independently by the council.
Netball SA CEO Ben Scales said the peak body does not condone inappropriate behaviour of any kind in the sport.
“We are fortunate that in netball, this is rarely an issue,” Mr Scales said.
“It’s disappointing when participation is negatively impacted by this type of behaviour.”
The council runs junior netball at the centre during school terms from under-9s to under-15s level on Monday and Friday nights.
Police were not able to confirm whether any arrests were made.
This is not the first time junior sports matches have been called off because of violence either on the field or in the stands.
Less than two weeks ago parents and spectators were involved in an ugly brawl after the siren at Largs North.
SANFL said they would be investigating thought police were not notified.
On September 18, 2016, an under-16s football game between Rosewater and Seaton was called off after a Rosewater player allegedly kicked a 15-year-old opposition player in the head.
While the player was taken to hospital the game was called off and Rosewater football club was
On July 27, 2015, a brawl erupted between two rival families at a Rosewater junior football game.
The game was called off and four people were arrested and charged with a variety of charges including affray, disorderly behaviour and carrying knives during the fight which involved about 25 people.