Penrith junior rugby league competitions on high alert amid threats of gang violence

Police intelligence warnings of a potential gang-related fights involving weapons has Penrith junior rugby league organisers on high alert after an under 20s game was cancelled.

Gang related violence is becoming an issue for junior league matches

All Penrith junior rugby league games are expected to go ahead this weekend despite the Panthers being on high alert over ongoing fears of gang-related “post code wars”.

It comes after Riverstone police called for an under 20s division two game between Londonderry and St Pats to be cancelled last weekend.

This followed police intelligence warning of a potential gang-related fight involving weapons.

That led to Panthers Juniors general manager Nathan Mairleitner issuing a statement to the community on Wednesday warning that police could cancel further matches if new evidence was uncovered.

The Daily Telegraph was told Mairleitner did not want to talk to the media on Thursday.

But sources confirmed that the plan at this point was for all games to go ahead weather permitting.

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It is understood police are continuing to monitor the situation and could still cancel games if they fear there is any threat to the community.

There has also been suggestions that the fears of gang-related violence are not just restricted to the Penrith district, and could spread to other regions throughout Sydney.

While there has been no official police information relating to these claims, people involved in the junior rep systems have for some time spoken openly about the gang issues becoming an increasing threat.

Panthers Juniors statement to clubs.

Earlier this year Canberra chief executive Don Furner became the first person to speak publicly about it.

Furner told The Daily Telegraph how it had been an open secret among junior rep staff “for some years” that some clubs had been forced to change venues at times to avoid post code zones of rival gangs.

Furner even suggested some clubs had turned a blind eye to the developing problem.

There have also been suggestions of gang culture infiltrating some junior rep teams.

Earlier this year there was a massive fight in the crowd after a Harold Matthews under 17s game at Penrith Stadium between a group of Penrith supporters.

One woman was even seen wielding a baseball bat, while men and women were involved in the wild brawl that played out in front of stunned spectators at the back of the grandstand.

There is no suggestion this latest incident is related to that previous fight.

PENRITH RUGBY LEAGUE COMPETITIONS COULD BE CANCELLED

By Dean Ritchie

Penrith has taken the extraordinary step of warning rugby league competitions could be cancelled as part of a crackdown on gang violence at matches.

NSW Police intelligence indicated gang members were planning to attend matches with weapons, prompting the Panthers, police and NSWRL to begin expressing concerns to clubs.

Riverstone police cancelled a match between Londonderry and St Pats last weekend after being warned about probable gang violence.

The concerned Panthers have urged any player, fan and parent aware of any looming gang-related violence to contact police.

There is a threat of more cancellations of adult matches from this weekend.

Panthers Juniors general manager Nathan Mairleitner released a statement on Wednesday —headlined Gang Violence – warning of the possible dangers that could further damage the competitions.

“Please note: The NSW Police Force will be cancelling matches across the state from this weekend where intelligence suggests everyone’s safety is compromised,” Mairleitner said.

“(The police) wants clubs to understand when clubs know about conversations or group chats in and around playing groups, they must report it to the PDJRL and police.

“As we all can appreciate, the NSWPF, NSWRL and PDJRL will not tolerate threats of violence, intimidation or acts of violence including affray which are all serious criminal offences.

Games in the Penrith district could be called off over fears of gang violence at matches. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

“Community safety is the priority and my strongest suggestion would be to ensure this open letter is disseminated to all players, coaches, parents and spectators that games will be cancelled, players suspended or banned from the game and teams given strongest form of sanction of removal from the competition in the event they are found to be involved in organising acts of violence on or off the field.”

The cancellation of matches will only happen if police secure evidence showing gang members are ready to create trouble at games.

“All gangs should stay away from kids enjoying rugby league. There is no place for gangs in the Penrith Junior Rugby League,” said former Panthers forward Lou Zivanovic, whose company CABE is the Penrith Junior League’s major sponsor.

“We fully support any police crackdown on gang violence at matches.

“Boys and girls, men and women, should be allowed to play the game they love in a safe environment and not have to worry about any violence.

“It’s sad that it has to come to this but it is paramount that everyone playing or attending junior league games should be made to feel safe.”

NSWRL chief executive David Trodden said work was being done to deal with issues in adult community matches in the Riverstone area in Sydney’s north-west.

“In particular, the NSWRL fully supports and endorses any actions the Riverstone Police Area Command consider to be necessary to address potential acts of violence at community sporting grounds,” Trodden said.

NSW Rugby League chief executive David Trodden. Picture: Adam Yip

“There is no place for violence in our sport or the community in general.

“The NSWRL also acknowledges the Penrith and Districts Junior Rugby League Club for taking a strong stance on the issue and providing their full support for local police in the Riverstone Area Command.

“It is also important to clarify that the issue identified is a specific concern for the area under the jurisdiction of the Riverstone Police Area Command, and NOT a state-wide issue.

“It is also relating to potential issues needing to be addressed in adult Community Rugby League and not children’s football.

“Both the Penrith DJRLC and the NSW Police are undertaking strong community initiatives as part of a number of strategies to address issues and concerns around youth at risk of drifting into a life of crime and gang violence..”