WHISTLE BLOWN

JUNIOR FOOTY FRACAS

AN investigation will be launched into a southern Tasmanian under-14 boys football match after a player was allegedly struck.

The New Norfolk and Lindisfarne under-14s played at Tynwald Park, New Norfolk, yesterday and it is alleged a Lindisfarne player was struck on the field by the parent of a New Norfolk player soon after the game ended.

Southern Tasmanian Junior Football League executive officer Tony Gibson said he was aware of the matter and there would be an investigation.

The father of the boy who was allegedly hit, who did not wish to be named, said the game had finished and both teams came together to shake hands.

“A bit of pushing and shov- ing broke out among a number of boys and then a number of parents decided to jump in and pull kids out,” he said.

It was at this point his son, who he said had been playing junior footy for eight years, was allegedly struck and an ambulance was called.

“He’s pretty shaken up — kids don’t expect to go to a footy match and be hit by other kids, let alone by hit by parents,” the father said.

The father said last night the family was yet to decide if they would press charges.

New Norfolk Junior Football Club president Chris Lovell said reports from his club were in the process of being sent to the STJFL who he said would “adjudicate accordingly”.

Lindisfarne Junior Football Club president Emily Wills was contacted for comment.

A junior girls Lindisfarne side is also understood to have been involved in an incident yesterday afternoon.

An ambulance was called to the youth girls under-17 side’s match against Claremont after a Lindisfarne player was knocked out following a sling tackle from an opponent.

The Mercury understands it is the second time in as many meetings between the two clubs a Blues player was concussed from a sling tackle, with an ambulance also required in Round 1.

The alleged assault of a local umpire on Saturday night has also been referred to Tasmania Police.

AFL Tasmania chief executive Rob Auld said the organisation was aware of the incident and had offered support to the man and his wife.

“As this is a police matter it would be inappropriate to comment any further,” he said.