Teen footy player accused of attacking ground manager over vaping incident

A Gold Coast junior rugby league player has allegedly assaulted a ground manager who confronted his vaping mother during the final moments of an under-16 match.

Last weekend’s shocking run of bad sideline behaviour at Gold Coast junior rugby league involved an under-16 player exiting the field to allegedly assault a ground manager for confronting his vaping mum.

Rugby League Gold Coast and Queensland Rugby League are aware of the alleged incident in the final minute of an under-16 division two match on Friday, June 20.

A Southport ground manager had confronted a group of visiting parents for vaping within range of the Southport bench.

When asked to leave, it is understood the group took another draw of the vape and blew it over the Southport bench in what has been described as an act of defiance.

It escalated into a scuffle and a player from the visiting team pushed a ground manager to the ground and allegedly assaulted him.

In a separate incident under 24 hours later, a mother in a wheelchair was involved in a sideline altercation ending with her 20-year-old daughter in hospital with minor injuries.

Rugby League Gold Coast wrote to parents on Tuesday condemning the rotten behaviour including abuse of junior referees by adult coaches.

Southport Tigers president Matt Williams confirmed the ground manager was not injured and would not press charges.

“Our member who was (allegedly) hit wasn’t hurt, and isn’t the type of guy to want to get police involved if it means further escalation,” Williams said.

“Our guy is fine. He has indicated he wants the kid involved to learn from this.

“By all accounts the kid is a good kid and this is very out of character.

“The club obviously condemns the actions of the spectators with the vape but our position on the child involved is he needs to be surrounded by supportive people and this incident be used as a learning experience.

“We hope he learns and grows from this experience and continues to be a member of our footy community.”

Southport had scored a converted try in the final minute to come from behind and win.

Williams said in that context he could understand why players were “highly frustrated and emotional.”

He praised the response of Ormeau president Shane Robertson, Rugby League Gold Coast and the Queensland Rugby League.

“It’s not a good look. Thankfully the team at RLGC and QRL are very proactive and I really can’t praise them enough for their response,” he said.

“The president of Ormeau was great too. He reached out straight away and was quick to address things.”

Robertson was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Teen footy player accused of attacking ground manager over vaping incident