REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD Coast schoolgirl Ashley Dayberg was banned from playing netball for two years after she punched an opponent on the nose.

A tribunal, formed specifically to deal with the incident, convened to hear her case.

Ashley, 17, who was banned by Netball Queensland, said she was devastated.

On June 6, the Year 12 student put on her netball gear, tied back her hair and prepared for a tough match against a South Brisbane side at the State Netball Centre.

The 170cm goal defence said it was a tough game; six girls ‘hit the deck’.

At the end of the match, Ashley said she approached her 15-year-old opponent with her arm outstretched for the traditional handshake.

Ashley said that as she went to walk away the Brisbane player took a strong hold of her hand and twisted it.

Ashley said she reacted on instinct. She lashed out at the goal attack with a fist to the face and fractured her nose.

“I really regret it. As soon as I did it I just walked away with my head down and went to sit in the corner away from everyone,’’ said the Keebra Park High student.

“I didn’t even get a chance to say sorry.

“But I am sorry for what I’ve done and I know I shouldn’t have done it. I’ve never done that before.

“It was the first punch I’d ever thrown.”

Ashley was later acquitted of assault charges in 2005 when Magistrate Janelle Brassington accepted Dayberg’s defence of provocation.