Dad queries footy club’s game tactics

A PARENT of a footballer who plays in New Norfolk’s under-14 STJFL side is frustrated at the way the team is conducting itself on the field.

The parent, who asked not be named, has sent the STJFL an email highlighting his concerns about how the team, of which his son is a player, is playing its footy.

The STJFL is investigating an incident during the club’s match against Lindisfarne on Sunday. It is alleged a Lindisfarne player was struck on the field after the game by a parent of an opposition player.

A number of junior clubs have contacted the STJFL about their concerns with New Norfolk’s under-14 team.

The Kingborough Tigers have threatened to boycott their next clash between the sides in August if the league does not come up with a satisfactory outcome to the investigation.

“What I saw on Sunday from the word go, the New Norfolk players did not play the ball once, they played the man,” the parent told the Mercury.

“He [his son] would be two metres in front of these kids from Lindisfarne and he would go off the ball.

“I didn’t teach him that, I don’t play that way and I haven’t taught him to play that way.

“It is so frustrating and last week was the worst I have seen of a junior football club.

“I have a lot of passion for the game and I want my son to have the same passion and I want him to do the best he can and have fun, but that’s not having fun.”

In a separate incident on Sunday, a Lindisfarne under-17 girl was knocked unconscious and an ambulance called to the ground following a dangerous sling tackle from a Claremont opponent.

One of the parents of the girl said she was off school for the week with a bruised face and ligament damage.

The parent has written to the STJFL asking for an explanation on safety protocols.

New Norfolk Junior Football Club president Chris Lovell did not want to comment because of the investigation into Sunday’s incident.

STJFL executive officer Tony Gibson could not be contacted.