A 42-year-old woman has been charged with using offensive language after allegedly making antisemitic comments at an under-12s netball game in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The incident occurred at Heffron Park in Maroubra on Saturday morning during a match between the Maccabi and Saints netball clubs.
New South Wales police said officers attended the scene just after 10am following reports of offensive comments directed at a group of people. The woman was initially issued a move-on direction but was later charged after further inquiries. She is due to appear at Waverley Local Court on 17 June.
The president of Maccabi Netball NSW, Adam Dinte, described the alleged incident as 'deeply distressing' in a statement to club members. He confirmed the club is liaising with police and the Community Security Group (CSG), a Jewish-led organisation, and is lodging a formal complaint with the Randwick Netball Association and the Saints club.
The Saints Netball Club issued a statement saying it was aware of the alleged incident involving a supporter and 'unequivocally condemns and disavows antisemitism in all its forms'. The Randwick Netball Association said it is working with Netball NSW to investigate the matter.
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe expressed concern, stating: 'Kids should be able to play sports safely. Our Jewish community should be able to move around and live in this community free from fear and free from abuse.' The incident comes during the first week of public hearings of the royal commission into antisemitism.
