Wynnum-Logan junior games cancelled in wake of on-field brawl

At least three scheduled games between Wynnum-Manly and Logan have been cancelled this weekend, with reports children don’t feel safe following last weekend’s on-field footy brawl.

A junior football parent whose children witnessed the alleged bashing of another parent at an U13s game at the weekend said her child no longer feels safe as games between the two clubs involved are cancelled.

Mother Kirsty Foster was at Kitchener Park in Wynnum on Sunday with her three children when a fight broke out on the sidelines of the Under-13s Division 1 game between Wynnum Manly and Logan Brothers.

Wynnum-Manly father Josh Jones was allegedly beaten so badly he was hospitalised and faces surgery.

Four people were charged.

Ms Foster said she was at the grounds to watch her son play in the U11 game for Wynnum-Manly which was being played on a field next to the U13s.

“I was there with my 10 year old son who was playing, my five year old son and my 13 year old son,” she said.

Brisbane father Josh Jones.

Mr Jones was left hospitalised after being allegedly assaulted at a junior rugby league game.

“While I was waiting for the game to start, I took my five year old with me to the canteen to get some drinks and snacks... we had to wait in the line a long time and I remember thinking that there was a really intense vibe in the air that I had never noticed before at a game of kids’ sport.”

She said when she returned to the field she could hear shouting that “escalated to more of a roar”.

“We all turned around and were completely shocked with what we saw.

“People near me were shouting “oh no!”

“There was a huge group of people — seemed like 40 — pushing, shoving, throwing punches. “We could see that some were trying to stop the fight - there were people trying to pull other’s away that were throwing punches.

“My instant reaction was... am I safe here, are my kids safe here and what can I do to help? “Once I saw the injured man, I felt sickened by what had happened and in complete shock that this had happened at a game of kids’ sport.

Ms Foster said she was left “very shaken up”, and that her older children had struggled to comprehend what they had witnessed.

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the injured, the kids, the officials who had to deal with it all.

“Thankfully my five year old doesn’t really understand the magnitude of it all.

“My 13 year old was quite shaken at the time but seems okay now.

“My 10 year old is unwilling to go to training without a parent there now, as he doesn’t feel safe.”

“We’ve talked very openly about it all and have kept them updated with all statements coming from the club.”

Four people have been charged after a fight at a junior football game at Wynnum Sunday. Picture: Supplied

The statements include a heartfelt note to parents issued by club president Adam Lipke Wednesday as well as a newly issued fixture for this week which will see no Wynnum-Manly vs Logan junior games go ahead this week for any age group.

“Our thoughts now turn to our children, coaches and supporters who unfortunately witnessed or were involved directly in what occurred,” Mr Lipke said in his message.

“As a Club and wider Rugby League community we are committed to ensuring the Football Field and surrounding areas are a safe haven for our players and their supporters, with this in mind I encourage each and everyone of you to join us at our games or at our competitors fields and join in the spirit of what this great game delivers for all of us involved.”

At this stage, it is unknown whether this change, which follows Queensland Rugby League’s decision to stand down Logan’s U13 team, will carry further into the season.

Ms Foster, whose family has been part of the club for two years said she agreed with the call.

“I think Logan/Wynnum games should be cancelled.

“I do feel for the players that miss out on playing, but I agree with the decision.”

“very impressed with how they have handled it all both on the day and since the incident”.

“There’s a real sense of ‘banding together’ with lots of support from the wider community.

“There’s also a GoFundMe page for (the injured victim) and his family which many of us have donated to.”

Ms Foster, who is also a teacher and family coach said it might take some time for children to feel safe again if they have been affected by the weekend’s events.

“In my experience as a teacher and family coach I know that incidents such as this can have a big effect on children and this is not always immediate.

“Children may experience challenges down the track such as separation anxiety, fear of the dark, bed wetting, or may exhibit big emotional outbursts that seem out of character.

“I encourage parents of children affected to look out for these behaviours both now and in the future and seek support if they are worried.

“Also to provide their child with lots of reassurance that they are safe and their family is safe. “Parents may need to be extra patient and present for a while, until their child feels secure again.”