Vile antisemitic comment at kids netball game

A mother allegedly made antisemitic comments including “f**k the Jews, they all should be eradicated” at a junior netball game in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Saturday morning.

The incident occurred at Heffron Park Netball Courts during a game between Maccabi and Saints Netball Club involving under-12 players.

According to witnesses, two Maccabi parents overheard a mother from the opposition team making the comment. When they confronted her, she allegedly made comments about “genocide” and accused Jews of “always playing the victim”.

Police were called and attended quickly, speaking to the mother and taking statements.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said: “We are aware of an incident which took place this morning at Heffron netball courts. This matter has been reported to police who are now investigating.”

“Children’s sport should be a place of respectful competition and friendly exchange where all should feel welcome. There must be no tolerance for racism or discrimination,” Ossip said.

“We stand ready to assist anyone who has been affected by this incident and will do everything within our power to make sure it is treated with the seriousness it deserves.”

Maccabi NSW Netball is making an official complaint to Randwick Netball Association and the opposing club.

In a message to parents, Maccabi NSW president Adam Dinte said: “We are aware of a deeply distressing antisemitic incident that occurred at a netball game today involving Jewish players and families from our club.”

“What took place was completely unacceptable. Jewish players, parents, coaches, administrators and supporters have the right to participate in community sport safely and confidently, free from racism, abuse, intimidation or vilification.”

Dinte said Maccabi NSW has been communicating with NSW Police and Community Security Group in relation to the incident, and is writing a formal letter of complaint to Randwick Netball Association and Saints Netball Club.

“We are seeking that they treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and take appropriate action in relation to the parents involved,” he said.

Maccabi NSW has encouraged anyone who witnessed the incident or has video footage to provide statements.

Later on Saturday, Saints Netball Club posted a statement on social media saying: “The Saints Netball club is aware that during a game on Saturday the 9th of May, a supporter associated with our club is alleged to have made comments of an antisemitic nature directed at players of a competing club which is associated with the Jewish community.

“The Saints Netball club unequivocally condemns and disavows antisemitism in all its forms. Such remarks do not reflect the values, principles, or standards of our club, our members, our players, or our wider community.”

The club offered “our sincerest and most unreserved apologies to the Jewish community, to those directly affected, and to anyone who encountered these comments or was affected by them”.

“Antisemitism, in any form, whether expressed as hatred, harmful stereotypes, conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial or distortion, or the dehumanisation of Jewish people – has no place in netball, in sport, in our club, or in our society,” the statement said.

“The Saints Netball club will always stand with the Jewish community, and with all communities, in rejecting racism and hate in every form.”

The incident comes as the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion heard testimony this week from witnesses describing children being subjected to antisemitic abuse at school and in sporting settings.