Narara junior rugby league brawl: Coach Kristen Teasdale charged with alleged assault on 12-year-old
The man charged over an alleged assault of a 12-year-old during a junior rugby league brawl been identified as Kristen Teasdale, 39.
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The under-12s coach charged in relation to a junior rugby league brawl in Narara has been identified as Kristen Teasdale.
The 39-year-old Terrigal Sharks was arrested and charged with common assault on Saturday afternoon following the incident at Carrington Street Oval in Narara.
Fresh details of the brawl have emerged with police alleging Teasdale threw a 12 year-old boy to the ground after a brawl broke out after the game.
It comes as NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) has announced it has stood down Mr Teasdale as well as the teams involved in the incident.
According to his social media profile Teasdale 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.
Brisbane Water Police District Chief Inspector John Zdrilic said a fight broke out, initially between two players, after the match.
“At the end of the match we believe a fight ensued between players,” he told reporters on Sunday.
“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.
“We conducted an investigation and as a result we arrested the 39-year-old male.”
NSWRL chief executive David Trodden said the NSWRL is investigating the matter with the individual and teams stood down.
“In circumstances where there is a police investigation it is not appropriate for us to be making any commentary about those who have been charged or any further commentary about the incidents,” he said.
“However, I can say that we are appalled that incidents like this have taken place. We have a zero-tolerance policy for abuse of our match officials who have every right to expect to feel safe while performing their duties.
“Similarly, we have zero tolerance for behaviour that threatens the safety of participants and spectators involved in junior sport who should be able to expect to play and/or attend and enjoy community sport without any concerns or fears.
Chief Inspector Zdrilic described the incident at the junior rugby league match as “terrible”.
“We take these matters seriously,” he said.
He said police believe other people came onto the field to intervene during the incident.
“That 39-year-old male that has now been charged left the ground with his son and was arrested later on,” he said.
He issued a stern message for parents of junior sports players.
“I think the message is to set an example for your children. Don’t expect your children to behave any less than you behave yourself.”
The 12-year-old boy was taken to Gosford Hospital with facial injuries, however Chief Inspector Zdrilic said the injuries could have come during the game or the brawl with the other player.
Teasdale will appear in Gosford Local Court in November. Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact the police.
The incident follows a spate of brawls at sporting events in NSW yesterday in Arncliffe and Menindee.
At a soccer field at Arncliffe, one player allegedly punched his coach in the face after being sent off about 4.50pm.
An 18-year-old was arrested and charged with affray and behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school.
In Menindee, a 47-year-old referee was knocked unconscious after allegedly being punched in the face during a brawl at a rugby league competition.
Aa 26-year-old man was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
An approach has been made to the Terrigal Sharks for comment.