Alleged netball anti-Semitism leads to charge, ban
A woman is to appear in court after being collectively condemned for allegedly making anti-Semitic comments while watching a youth netball match.
Police were called to the Heffron Park netball courts at Maroubra in Sydney’s south-east just after 10am on Saturday following reports that a woman had made offensive comments to a group of people.
The 42-year-old woman is accused of making anti-Semitic comments at a youth match between Saints Netball Club and Jewish community club Maccabi Netball Club.
He was ordered to continue with the match and was charged by police on Sunday with using offensive language in public.
The maximum penalty for this charge is a $660 fine or a community corrections order.
Netball NSW confirmed the woman has been banned from attending or participating in any netball events while the matter is investigated.
“Anti-Semitism and discrimination of any kind have absolutely no place in our game and will not be tolerated,” the board said in a statement. he said.
Saints Netball Club, believed to be the woman’s supporter, said it condemned the woman’s alleged actions and apologized unreservedly to the Jewish community.
“Saints Netball Club will always stand with the Jewish community and all communities in rejecting all forms of racism and hatred,” the club said in a statement on its Facebook page. he said.
Randwick Netball Association president Jenny Morrissey said her priority was to ensure the Maccabi Netball Club community felt valued and safe in community sports.
“(I hope) in the coming days we can bring together the leaders of our clubs with a strong determination to show that our netball community is safe, caring and proud,” Ms Morrissey said in a statement.
The incident occurred a day after the conclusion of the first week of hearings at the Royal Commission on Anti-Semitism and Social Harmony; It occurred as many witnesses testified about their experiences of racism in public places.
Not feeling safe practicing their religion publicly, especially in the wake of the mass shooting targeting a Hanukkah event in Bondi in December, was a common theme in statements given to Commissioner Virginia Bell.
The woman charged in connection with Saturday’s incident will appear at Waverley Local Court on June 17.
