Kristen Teasdale: Junior rugby league coach pleads not guilty over alleged assault on boy, 12
The under-12s coach charged over the alleged assault of a 12-year-old boy at a junior rugby league game in Narara has entered a plea in court.
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The coach charged over an alleged assault of a 12-year-old during a junior rugby league game in Narara has faced court for the first time
Kristen Teasdale, 39, appeared before Gosford Local Court on Thursday and entered a plea of not guilty to one charge of common assault before Magistrate Michael Antrum.
Teasdale, of Bateau Bay, arrived at court alone and sat calmly in the courtroom as his plea was entered by his defence solicitor Damien Conn.
The former Terrigal Sharks Under-12s division 2 side coach hit national headlines after he was arrested and charged on August 22 following the alleged junior rugby league brawl at Carrington Street Oval.
Police alleged that around 11am, Teasdale threw a 12-year-old boy to the ground during the brawl which broke out after the game.
Teasdale has been stood down from his role as coach, while the teams involved were also suspended from the competition for a period of time.
According to his social media profile Teasdale, a father of three, is a former amateur Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighter.
His social media profile shows him being awarded a first-place medal after the state championships of the Australian Federation of Brasilian Jiu Jitsu, dated 2017.
Following the alleged incident in August, Brisbane Water Police District Chief Inspector John Zdrilic said the fight was initially between two players.
“Whilst that was occurring a 39-year-old male, we will allege, has run onto the field, grabbed one of the opposition players and thrown him to the ground,” he said.
The 12-year-old boy was taken to Gosford Hospital with facial injuries, however Chief Inspector Zdrilic made it clear that the injuries could have come during the game or the brawl with the other player.
It followed a spate of sporting incidents on that particular weekend in August, prompting NSWRL chief executive David Trodden to speak out saying players, parents and spectators should be able to attend community sport without any concerns.
Teasdale’s matter was adjourned until December 17.