Forest Killarney, Avalon soccer teams kicked out of under 15s comp after series of incidents
Bad behaviour by parents, players and officials at a junior boys’ soccer match on the northern beaches has ended up with the teams being booted from this year’s competition.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two junior soccer teams on the northern beaches were booted out of the competition after a series of ugly ‘unsavoury’ incidents at an under-15s match.
Bad behaviour by players, parents and club officials, including referee abuse, parents pushing and threatening each other and two players sent off for violent conduct, ended with football administrators banning the Forest-Killarney and Avalon teams for the rest of the season.
But the Manly Warringah Football Association (MWFA) said while it was disappointed in the incidents that occurred at a match at Careel Bay on September 5, it praised the two clubs for their handling of the matter.
Forest Killarney Football Club president Giuseppe Guerrera was so disappointed and “embarrassed” at the behaviour that he sent an open letter to players, parents and club officials warning them there was no place for violence and abuse in football.
The president of Avalon Soccer Club, Lee Gallagher, said “what happened that day was totally unacceptable, and we took responsibility for our part in it”.
MWFA CEO David Mason confirmed to the Manly Daily that the under 15s, boys, division 2 teams from Forest Killarney Football Club and Avalon Soccer Club were “withdrawn" from the 2020 competition.
Witnesses said that after an official referee was injured while running, a parent volunteered to officiate. The official referee had already sent off two players for a bad tackle and an incident of pushing and shoving.
Several parents and club officals were heard abusing the official and stand-in referees and a number of parents ended up swearing and threatening each other in the car park after the game.
No police were called and no one was injured.
Mr Mason said the MWFA uses a “Team Discipline Points” system — similar to drivers licence demerit points — to ensure the behaviour of players, officials, parents and spectators remain at a socially acceptable level.
“At a recent U15 match, two teams went past the (18) point limit due to the behaviour of players, officials and parents and the teams were subsequently withdrawn from the competition.
“We don’t take a decision to withdraw two junior teams lightly, but we remain firm in our aim to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for our 18,500 players who play grassroots community football.
“The MWFA would like to congratulate the Forest Killarney and Avalon clubs for the way they supported the decision.”
In his open letter Mr Guerrera wrote that while the vast majority of people associated with Forest Killarney upheld proper standards “the volume and nature of the citations have been both alarming and embarrassing”.
“The incidents range from poor on field behaviour, to abuse of officials, physical violence and even parent groups being involved in off field altercations.
“Regrettably, the MWFA, with the support of FKFC, has ejected one of our junior teams from the 2020 competition due to an unsavoury incident involving players, officials and parents.
“We will continue to support the MWFA in stamping out anti-social behaviour.”
Mr Gallagher said the Avalon club took all issues with behaviour incredibly seriously.
“As a club we can’t allow the misbehaviour of a few overshadow the efforts of the whole club. As a result, when players, officials or spectators cross the line, we have to act accordingly.
“It was incredibly disappointing to have the team withdrawn from the competition, but it reinforces the message to everyone involved with the club that we are serious about eradicating bad behaviour.”