Coronavirus northern beaches: Lionel Watts Reserve soccer match
Soccer players have been branded as irresponsible for playing an 11-aside match in the midst of the coronavirus public health crisis. When cops were called the men fled on foot, leaving behind equipment and boots.
Manly
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More than 20 men who broke COVID-19 distancing rules by playing a game of soccer at a northern beaches park fled the field after police were called by outraged residents.
A witness said two teams of 11 males were involved in the unauthorised match at Lionel Watts Reserve at Frenchs Forest when a police car arrived with its lights and siren activated.
The witness commented on a community Facebook that she called triple-zero to report the game on the full-size marked pitch, complete with netted goals, late last week.
The witness said she had seen two recent matches at the same park with players who were not dressed in any club uniforms.
A resident commented on Facebook: “I called triple-0 and (police) came in 10 min (sic), lights and sirens.”
Another resident wrote: “Yes I saw about 20 men training there together yesterday afternoon!
This is disappointing. Especially when it is fully grown adults who should know better!”
Another resident took a photograph of the match and posted it to social media while another called Frenchs Forest police station to report the COVID-19 social distancing breach.
As part of the NSW Government Public Health Orders people can leave their homes to exercise, but only with one other person or with the members of their household (even if there are more than two people in your household).
The Manly Warringah Football Association has also placed a ban on all football activities until at least May 31.
An official at Wakehurst Football Club, which uses Lionel Watts Reserve for most of its home games and training, said he was contacted by police on April 30.
Club president Greg Dick told the Manly Daily he received a telephone call from an officer advising that police had seen what appeared to be organised football training taking place at Lionel Watts Reserve.
“The police told me that those people, who seemed to be playing a game, fled when officers arrived and that they left boots and equipment behind.”
While the identity of the players is not known, Mr Dick said he was confident they were not from the Wakehurst club because it had regularly been in touch with its players about their responsibilities during the COVID-19 emergency.
He wrote on the club’s Facebook page: “I sincerely hope that these were not Wakehurst FC teams.
“I understand that these are very challenging times but we all MUST obey the government laws relating to COVID-19.
“As I have explained previously ALL football activities are currently banned until 31st May,” Mr Dick wrote.
The ban includes training sessions and “friendly” pre-season matches.
Mr Dick said police told him they would be increasing their patrols of Lionel Watts Reserve and reminded players that anyone caught flouting the COVID-19 laws could be fined $1,000 each and that the club could be fined.
The soccer game breach comes as Northern Beaches Police fined two teenagers $1000 for coronavirus breaches each after they were seen allegedly using cannabis while sitting on tables outside the closed Manly Bowling Club in Ivanhoe Park at 5pm on Sunday.
Both teens had previously received COVID-19 warnings for being out without reasonable excuse.