Under-13 netballer distraught after being called ‘a fat, useless b****’ by adult on the sidelines in Adelaide
WE’VE all heard about ugly parents at school sports games — but the cruel words one moron said to an under-13 netball player left the girl in tears and triggered a fight between the spectators.
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A SUPPORTER involved in a fight that broke out at a junior netball game in Golden Grove has reportedly been hit with a life ban from the centre.
Police are also investigating the incident, which occurred after the supporter allegedly called a young girl playing for an opposition team a “fat, useless b****” during an under-13 mixed netball match at Golden Grove Recreation Centre on July 7.
The comment sparked a fight between the supporter and a man from the opposition team.
The game between Keithcot Farm Primary School and Lightning Strikers, a breakaway team formed by former Keithcot Farm members, was called off at three-quarter time and the two men were asked to leave the centre.
Police are analysing CCTV vision of the incident, which occurred just before 7pm.
They say several people were allegedly involved in the incident and they have interviewed “potential witnesses”.
No charges have yet been laid.
A witness at the game, who was supporting Keithcot Farm, said the trouble began when a young girl playing for Keithcot was abused by an opposition supporter during play.
“She was called a fat, useless b****,” the witness said.
He said the girl appeared “distraught” after the incident.
“She just wants to play a game of netball,” the witness said.
“She doesn’t want to be told by a fully grown adult she’s fat.”
After a complaint was made to the umpire at three-quarter time, the witness claims they saw the abusive supporter shove a Keithcot supporter.
“I was told he (the Keithcot supporter) said: ‘Let’s keep things civil, it’s a girls’ game of netball’,” the witness said.
“He was then shoved by the other man.
“He (the Keithcot supporter) then grabbed hold of (the other man’s) shirt to defend himself. It was a two-minute scuffle.”
Both supporters were then asked to leave by centre management and the game was called off, with Keithcot ahead 20-3.
The witness said police arrived five minutes later to speak to witnesses.
The Leader Weekly has been told the supporter who is alleged to have verbally abused the player has since copped a life ban from Golden Grove Recreation Centre management.
The council’s manager of recreation and leisure services Felicity Birch said penalties had been handed out to “those involved in the incident”.
She declined to confirm whether a life ban had been issued and said any penalties were subject to appeal.