Central Coast Division Rugby League finalises Erina Oval investigation
Central Coast Rugby League has suspended three people, fined a club and issued other warnings to players and club officials over the brawl at Erina Oval in August.
Central Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
BERKELEY VALE Rugby League Club has been fined and placed on a two-year good behaviour bond following the club’s involvement in the Erina Oval brawl in week one of the finals.
Central Coast Division Rugby League has completed its lengthy investigation into the ugly off-field incident and taken decisive action, with three people now suspended from all aspects of the game.
However, officials are refusing to detail how much the fine was or name those suspended.
The first-grade elimination final between Erina and Berkeley Vale came to a standstill as a fight broke out on the sidelines back in August.
The spectator who initiated the melee has been suspended for three years, while a Berkeley Vale volunteer and another individual (believed to be a Panthers supporter) have both been handed two-year suspensions.
The bans involve non-attendance at Rugby League grounds for the duration of their suspensions.
CCDRL also stated 10 players and club officials from Erina and Berkeley Vale have received severe warnings and have been placed on notice, and told any involvement in an on or off field melee won’t be tolerated by the governing body.
“Many people simply do not understand that by running to the scene of a dispute, even with the best of intentions, they can easily inflame what can be a volatile situation,” CCDRL president Fred Hartup said in a written statement to the Express Advocate on Wednesday.
“Central Coast District Rugby League treats the safety of its players and spectators with the highest regard and any clubs, players, officials or supporters who wish to behave in an anti-social manner are not welcome at our game.”
CCDRL would not release the names of the individuals suspended or players and officials cautioned, when contacted by the Express Advocate.
The Express Advocate is awaiting comment from BVRLC.