White powder found at Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club on Friday night

A concerned parent found white powder at his daughter’s soccer game at a northern suburbs sports facility.

Drugs, needles and bongs are commonly found at sports clubs, a cleaner has revealed after he found a bag of white powder at his daughter’s soccer match.

The father, whose 17-year-old daughter was playing a senior women’s soccer match at Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club on Friday night, noticed the bag of white powder on the ground and residue on a countertop under the club’s veranda.

Remnants of what appears to be cocaine were found at Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club. Picture: Supplied

Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club on Friday night, noticed a bag of white powder on the ground and residue on a countertop under the club’s veranda. Picture: Supplied

“Parents are there with younger kids running around … it’s quite disconcerting really,” he said.

The parent did not accuse anyone at Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club of leaving the white powder at the facilities.

The father, who works as a cleaner subcontracted by councils, said he regularly sees drug paraphernalia including “needles and bongs” at about six northern suburbs sports clubs.

“It’s a massive issue,” he said.

“I’m doing daily cleanses for different clubs and it (drug paraphernalia) is pretty common.

“You become numb to it.”

He said people use sports clubs to consume drugs as it is “a nice private area where they can do their bits and pieces”.

The father said it is difficult for clubs to control as “the stuff is done outside the hours they’re doing sports”.

Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club at Dauntsey Reserve. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Playford mayor Glenn Docherty said council, which encompasses the Elizabeth Grove area, is “committed to supporting healthy and safe sporting clubs”.

“Council works in partnership with sporting clubs as leaseholders of community venues to ensure that our community have access to fit for purpose facilities that support safe and family friendly participation in sport,” Mr Docherty said.

“Drug use is a broad social issue that impacts all communities, and requires continued collaboration from state government, SAPOL and other agencies to address.”

But the issue is not limited to northern suburbs’ soccer facilities, and Southern Football League president Craig Warman sent a warning to people leaving drug paraphernalia on club grounds.

“It’s certainly not a good look for anybody,” Mr Warman said.

“Don’t leave your stuff at our sporting clubs.

“We’ve got to be as vigilant as we can.”

An SA Police spokesman said “illicit drug use impacts the individual, families and our community”.

“SAPOL actively investigates the manufacture and supply of drugs – and this is not defined by district, suburb or even state borders,” he said.

“Police also urge the community to remember the significant risks posed by taking illicit drugs, irrespective of how they are purchased or where they are grown or made.”

Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club was contacted for comment.

It comes after a young footy player has been banned from the Balaklava Football and Netball Club for three years following an incident involving drugs during grand final celebrations.

A letter sent out on September 24, by the club’s secretary Kerry Williams, informed members, families, players, life members and sponsors of the incident.

Balaklava plays in the Adelaide Plains Football League.

Club president Mark Heaslip told The Advertiser the incident involved a player and misconduct with drugs.

“Drugs are in the community but they don’t need to be in the change rooms,” he said.

“It’s important for clubs to protect their junior players,” he said.