The Cairns Post

Clubrooms trashed Vandals hit yet another FNQ sport

- DANIEL BATEMAN daniel.bateman@news.com.au

VANDALS have trashed yet another Cairns sports club – and this time they’ve left a filthy surprise.

The Southside Comets Football Club and Mulgrave Combined Cricket Associatio­n’s joint clubhouse along Walker Rd, Edmonton was broken into overnight on Saturday, with club executives estimating they had been left with thousands of dollars of damage.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said it appeared offenders had jimmied a door open to gain access to the clubhouse, then proceeded to trash the facility.

A trophy cabinet had been smashed, fridges had been destroyed, scoreboard­s, microwaves, the PA system and furniture was damaged, and human faeces was found on the floor.

The damage bill has been estimated to be up to $20,000.

Southside Comets president Kieren O’Brien said both clubs had been devastated by the damage.

“We’ve been working towards building the club in the local community, so it’s very disappoint­ing to find this,” Mr O’Brien said.

He said there had been a group of young people spotted hanging around the clubhouse late at night, who were suspected of having been involved in the break-in.

The QPS spokesman said police were investigat­ing.

It is the third time in two weeks sporting clubs have been targeted by vandals.

Pyramid Power AFL & Sporting Club at Gordonvale was the target of vandals and an arsonist on January 25, suffering about $100,000 worth of damage to its clubhouse and property inside.

The Atherton Tablelands Hockey Associatio­n clubhouse at Loder Park was also broken into and vandalised last month.

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 ?? Picture: BRENDAN RADKE ?? SHOCK: Southside Comets secretary Ruth Collins beside glass trophy cabinets smashed in a break-in on Saturday.
Picture: BRENDAN RADKE SHOCK: Southside Comets secretary Ruth Collins beside glass trophy cabinets smashed in a break-in on Saturday.

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