Police investigate alleged antisemitic abuse at children’s netball match
Police are investigating after a mother allegedly hurled antisemitic slurs at Jewish children during an under-12s netball match at Heffron Park in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The incident occurred shortly after 10am on Saturday during a Randwick Netball Association fixture between Maccabi and Saints Netball Club at the courts on Fitzgerald Avenue, Maroubra.
The woman alleged to have made antisemitic statements (Facebook)
Witnesses said the woman, whose child was playing for Saints, directed the comments at the opposing Maccabi team. She allegedly told her child: “F*** the Jews, they should have all been eradicated.” Some reports indicate she made further remarks about genocide and Jews playing the victim when challenged.
The abuse was overheard by players, parents and spectators, including around 100 Jewish families. Several children were left shaken, with one young Maccabi player reportedly wanting to remove her uniform afterwards because she no longer felt safe being identified as Jewish.
NSW Police confirmed officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command attended the venue after reports of offensive comments. They spoke to a 42-year-old woman and issued her a move-on direction. Inquiries are continuing, and no charges have been laid as of Saturday evening.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Randwick Netball Association president said netball must remain inclusive. “Netball is a place where everyone is welcome and we will not tolerate antisemitic or discriminatory behaviour in our community in any way,” the president said.
The association confirmed it immediately called police and was working with Netball NSW to investigate the matter under the applicable integrity framework. “Right now our priority is care for the Maccabi Netball Club and all of its members. My message to you is that you are welcome, you belong, and you are valued,” the statement read.
The president also thanked Saints Netball Club for its strong response and apology.
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, attended the scene and labelled the behaviour disgusting. “People need to understand the impact that this behaviour has,” he told *The Sunday Telegraph*. “The fact that 100 Jewish families were there whose children saw this are now going to feel different going to weekend sports next week.”
David Goldman, general manager of Maccabi Australia, described the incident as deeply traumatic. “It’s a sporting event where children are just trying to play netball on Saturday morning, yet a parent feels it necessary to make these antisemitic remarks,” he said.
A recent Maccabi survey of 670 members found almost one in two had witnessed or experienced antisemitism in sport, with incidents rising sharply since October 7, 2023.
Maccabi Netball Club president Adam Dinte called the event completely unacceptable and said players were deeply distressed. Maccabi NSW Netball has lodged a formal complaint with the Randwick Netball Association.
David Ossip, president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, said children’s sport must remain a safe environment free of racism and discrimination.
Saints Netball Club issued a strong public apology on social media, unequivocally condemning antisemitism.
The alleged abuse comes as the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion hears evidence in Sydney about the impact of rising antisemitism on Jewish Australians, including in schools and sporting environments.
