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A woman is facing charges after allegedly making antisemitic remarks during a children’s netball match in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The incident occurred at Heffron Park netball courts in Maroubra around 10 a.m. on Saturday, where police were called following reports of a woman directing offensive language at spectators.
The accused, a 42-year-old, was attending a junior match between Saints Netball Club and Maccabi Netball Club, the latter being a club associated with the Jewish community.
New South Wales Police issued an order for the woman to leave the premises during the game. Subsequently, on Sunday, she was charged with using offensive language in a public setting. She is scheduled to appear at Waverley Local Court on June 17.
If found guilty, the woman could face a maximum penalty of a $660 fine or a community corrections order.
Netball NSW said the individual had been suspended from attending or participating in any netball activities while the matter was investigated.
“Everyone in our netball community deserves to feel safe, welcome and respected,” it said in a statement.
“Antisemitism and discrimination of any kind have absolutely no place in our game and will not be tolerated.”
“We commend Randwick Netball Association and Saints Netball Club for their swift response, including contacting police, engaging directly with those affected and strongly condemning antisemitic behaviour.”
Saints Netball Club said in a statement on Saturday it was aware that a “supporter associated with our club” had allegedly made comments of an antisemitic nature.
“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,” it said.
Adam Dinte, president of Maccabi Netball Club, told the Sydney Morning Herald the young girls in the team were deeply distressed after the incident.
“One of the girls in our team after the game told her mother that she wanted to take her uniform off because she didn’t want to be identified as Jewish, and didn’t feel safe,” he said.
The report occurred a day after the first week of hearings at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion concluded, with many witnesses testifying about their experiences with discrimination and hostility in public places.
Feeling unsafe to practice their religion publicly, particularly after the mass shooting that targeted a Hanukkah event at Bondi in December, was a common theme of the evidence given to Commissioner Virginia Bell.
— With additional reporting by Australian Associated Press
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