Footy club ‘wants its own fans BANNED from games due to violence epidemic that saw one parent try to fight under-13s players’
- Fan violence in amateur sports remains a problem
- One youth football club has proposed a radical solution
- Bold call not to allow spectators at youth football matches
A football club that has long been at the heart of rugby league has reportedly called for all fans to be banned from youth matches indefinitely as crowd violence continues to rise.
Representatives of the Greystanes Devils, who play in the Parramatta Junior Rugby League in western Sydney, believe a complete ban on spectators is the solution.
“It’s sad that it’s come to this. There have always been problems, but this year it’s reached insane proportions,” said one parent. The wide world of sports.
“Some of the incidents were just horrific. We had a parent jump over the dugout at a recent game to get on the field to fight players – and remember these are kids under 13.
‘The [bloke] went to the Parramatta Junior League judiciary and was given 16 weeks – [but] He should have been given a lifetime ban.’
The concerned parent then indicated that he/she believes some children might imitate the unacceptable behavior of unruly spectators.
“The children see the adults behaving like this and then they start to get angry too. It’s a vicious circle and it has to stop,” they added.
‘Our referees also have to endure terrible insults [on the field] and they are just children.
A football club based in the heart of rugby league in Sydney has reportedly called for fans to be banned from youth matches as crowd violence continues to rise (stock image)
Representatives of the Greystanes Devils – who are part of the Parramatta Junior Rugby League in western Sydney – believe a complete ban on spectators is the solution (stock photo)
“We have put forward several proposals to the Parramatta Junior League but they seem to deny it and try to keep it all secret.”
Ny Breaking Australia has contacted representatives of the Greystanes Devils for comment.
In a further twist, the Parramatta Junior Rugby League has denied that the Devils asked them to ‘schedule matches’ behind closed doors’.
Frustration was further compounded by the massive amounts of rain that have fallen in Sydney in recent months, which has seen amateur sports cancelled on many weekends.
Many matches cannot be moved due to the availability of the stadium, which makes parents feel short-changed and children cannot participate.