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Boy, 12, attacked, coach punched, ref knocked out in violent weekend sport attacks

A man has been arrested after a boy was attacked at a rugby game in NSW, one of a string of shocking incidents at sporting matches this weekend.

A man has been charged with assaulting a 12yo boy as a junior rugby match. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN
A man has been charged with assaulting a 12yo boy as a junior rugby match. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

A man has been charged with assault after allegedly attacking a 12-year-old boy during a junior rugby match on the Central Coast in NSW.

It’s one of a string of shocking on-field incidents during sporting matches in the state over the weekend.

A fight broke out during the junior game when a man ran out onto the field and allegedly hit a 12-year-old player at Narara, North of Gosford on Saturday, NSW Police said.

The boy was rushed to hospital with facial injuries and a 39-year-old Bateau Bay man was charged with common assault.

In a separate incident at Arncliffe, a soccer player is accused of punching his coach in the face when he was ordered off the pitch following an argument between teams.

An 18-year-old man was charged with affray and behaving in an offensive manner near a public place or school and will face court on Tuesday.

Meanwhile in the state’s far west, a referee at a rugby league competition at Menindee was allegedly punched in the face and knocked unconscious during a match, police confirmed.

Paramedics treated the 47-year-old referee before he was taken to a health service for additional help. Police at the scene arrested a 26-year-old who has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Originally published as Boy, 12, attacked, coach punched, ref knocked out in violent weekend sport attacks

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/boy-12-attacked-coach-punched-ref-knocked-out-in-violent-weekend-sport-attacks/news-story/026c57d0ed00e93cf8daaa1917f6d409