- Fan violence in grassroots sport remains a problem
- A youth football club has a radical solution proposal
- Bold call for no spectators at youth football matches
A football club based in a former rugby league heartland has reportedly called for all fans to be banned from attending youth matches indefinitely as violence between spectators continues to escalate.
Representatives of the Greystanes Devils, part of the Parramatta Junior Rugby League in western Sydney, believe a complete shutdown of spectators is the solution.
“It’s sad that it’s come to this. There have always been problems, but this year they’ve reached crazy proportions,” said one parent. Wide world of sport.
‘Some of the incidents have been just horrendous. At a recent game, a father jumped off the bench to try to get on the pitch and fight with the players. And remember, these kids are under 13.
‘He (guy) went to the Parramatta Junior League tribunal and was given 16 weeks, (but) he should have been given a lifetime ban.’
The concerned father then expressed his belief that some children might imitate the unacceptable behaviour of unruly spectators.
“Children see adults behaving like this and then they too start acting badly: it is a vicious circle and it must be stopped,” they added.
‘Our referees also suffer terrible abuse (on the pitch) and they are just children.
A football club based in Sydney’s rugby league heartland has reportedly called for fans to be banned from attending junior matches as spectator violence continues to escalate (file image)
Representatives of the Greystanes Devils, part of the Parramatta Junior Rugby League in Sydney’s west, believe a complete shutdown of spectators is the solution (file image)
“We have put forward several proposals to the Parramatta Junior League… but they seem to be denying them and trying to keep it all quiet.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted representatives of Greystanes Devils for comment.
In another twist, the Parramatta Junior Rugby League has denied the Devils asked them to “schedule matches”. behind closed doors’.
Adding to the frustration is the volume of rain that has fallen in Sydney over the past few months, leading to the cancellation of grassroots sports on many weekends.
Many games cannot be rescheduled due to field availability, leaving parents feeling disappointed and children unable to compete.
