FINAL ENDS IN TEARS

ALLEGED ASSAULT BY PARENT AT JUNIOR GAME

A JUNIOR rugby league grand final has been marred by allegations a parent assaulted a young player after the match, which left the teen “shocked” and in tears. The family of the 14-year-old are furious and upset after the Brothers player was allegedly involved in an incident with a parent after a junior rugby league match on Saturday

The boy’s aunty, Suzanne Hansen, claimed he was “palmed” in the “bottom of the chin” by the parent of a player from the opposing team.

“(They) should not be allowed to put (their) hand on another child,” she said.

“He’s very upset.

“My nephew was receiving his medal because they were runners up, and in his photos he was crying because he just got hurt.”

The teenager’s mother, declined to speak on the record, but is said to be furious over the incident. “She’s very shocked, she’s very angry, she’s very upset, as any parent would be,” Ms Hansen said.

Townsville Child Protection and Investigation Unit Acting Senior Sergeant Dan Stehr confirmed detectives were now investigating.

“There’s a complaint been made that the parent of one of the kids on the opposition team has assaulted the 14year-old on the Brothers team,” he said.

“There are no injuries that have been reported.”

Police spoke to witnesses after the incident on Saturday and detectives spoke with the teenager yesterday afternoon.

“We’ve got to investigate the grounds for that (alleged) assault, what caused it, what was the lead up to it,” Sen-sgt Stehr said.

Queensland Rugby League has taken a hard line stance on anti-social behaviour at matches and has reinforced that junior sport is about fun, enjoyment and development.

A Queensland Rugby League Northern Division spokesman said: “The League is aware of the incident and is investigating as per normal disciplinary procedure”.

In June, Townsville District Junior Rugby League president Bert Petersen sent an email to all clubs in the region which outlined the hardline stance the TDJRL needed to take following a spate of ugly incidents on the sidelines of junior games.

In the email, he warned the league would not tolerate bad behaviour and it would take whatever action was necessary against individuals and clubs to eradicate such behaviour from the game.

“Until all clubs take a stance to achieve zero tolerance and we all support one another to eradicate such behaviour, our reputation will never improve,” he said at the time.

When contacted by the Townsville Bulletin yesterday Mr Petersen said he was unaware of Saturday’s incident and was unable to comment.

Townsville and District Junior Rugby League rules state clubs are responsible for the conduct of their players, parents/carers of players, coaches, officials and spectators.

The club declined to comment. Brothers was contacted for comment but did not return calls.