Netball mum confronted by Jewish leader after allegedly hurling horrific antisemitic abuse at kids during a game – as she is charged
A woman accused of making vile antisemitic remarks during a children’s netball match in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has since been charged by police.
Police launched an investigation after the mother allegedly directed antisemitic slurs at Jewish children during an under-12s game between Maccabi and Saints Netball Club at Heffron Park in Maroubra on Saturday morning.
Witnesses allege the brunette, who was wearing a TABcorp cap and whose child was playing for The Saints, made the comments from the sidelines during the Randwick Netball Association match shortly after 10am.
She allegedly told her child: ‘F*** the Jews, they should have all been eradicated,’ in reference to players from the Jewish Maccabi team.
Some witnesses further alleged the woman made additional comments about genocide and accused Jewish people of ‘playing the victim’ when challenged.
The alleged outburst was overheard by dozens of players, parents and spectators, including up to 100 Jewish families.
At least one member in attendance had given evidence at the Royal Commission into antisemitism last week.
Several children were reportedly left distressed by the incident, with one young player wanting to remove her Maccabi uniform because she no longer felt safe being visibly identified as Jewish.
The woman accused of making the alleged remarks at a children’s netball game is pictured speaking to police. She has since been charged
The woman was later confronted by Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin
NSW Police confirmed that officers attended the Heffron Park courts following reports a woman allegedly made offensive comments towards a group of people.
Daily Mail has chosen not to identify the woman.
Police spoke to a 42-year-old woman and issued her with a move-on direction.
She was charged on Sunday.
Following inquiries, the woman was issued with a court attendance notice for use offensive language in/near public place,’ a statement read.
She will face Waverley Local Court on June 17.
A photo supplied to Daily Mail showed the woman being spoken to by a female policewoman as other officers and a crowd watched on.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin attended the courts shortly after the alleged incident and was filmed confronting the woman, which he has since shared online.
‘Did you say what’s been alleged?’ Mr Ryvchin asked.
The surprised woman replied: ‘No why?’
Mr Ryvchin then said: ‘Multiple witnesses have said that you said “f*** the Jews” and Jews should be eradicated.’
Saints Netball Club (statement pictured) did not respond to repeated requests from Daily Mail for comment regarding whether the parent would be banned from attending future matches
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin attended the courts shortly after the alleged incident
The woman, surrounded by family members, responded: ‘Are you going to call the police … you can call them, I’m happy to speak to them,’ before walking away.
Mr Ryvchin later described the alleged behaviour as ‘disgusting’.
The fact that 100 Jewish families were there whose children saw this are now going to feel different going to weekend sports next week,’ he said.
‘They’re going to feel anxious, they’re going to be concerned and worried if there will be another run-in like this.’
In a statement, Saints Netball Club said the alleged comments did not reflect its values.
‘The Saints Netball Club is aware that during a game on Saturday, a supporter associated with our club is alleged to have made comments of an antisemitic nature directed at players of a competing club which is associated with the Jewish community,’ the statement read.
‘The Saints Netball Club unequivocally condemns and disavows antisemitism in all its forms. Such remarks do not reflect the values, principles or standards of our club, our members, our players or our wider community.’
The club did not respond to repeated requests from Daily Mail for comment regarding whether the parent would be banned from attending future matches.
Maccabi Australia general manager David Goldman described the alleged incident as ‘deeply traumatic’ and ‘distressing’.
‘It’s a sporting event where children are just trying to play netball on Saturday morning, yet a parent feels it necessary to make these antisemitic remarks,’ he said
Randwick Netball Association said it immediately contacted police and had launched its own investigation alongside Netball NSW
Police are investigating after the mother allegedly directed antisemitic slurs at Jewish children during an under-12s game between Maccabi and Saints Netball Club at Heffron Park in Maroubra on Saturday morning
‘It’s a serious incident, not isolated to Sydney or netball. It happens across other sporting codes and it’s certainly been on the increase since October 7.’
Randwick Netball Association has launched its own investigation alongside Netball NSW.
‘Netball is a place where everyone is welcome and we will not tolerate antisemitic or discriminatory behaviour in our community in any way,’ the association president said in a statement.
‘Right now our priority is care for the Maccabi Netball Club and all of its members. My message to you is that you are welcome, you belong, and you are valued.’
The association thanked Saints Netball Club for what it described as its ‘strong response and apology’.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said there should be ‘no tolerance for racism or discrimination’ in children’s sport.
The incident comes just days after members of Sydney’s Jewish community gave evidence at the royal commission into antisemitism, recounting the fear and trauma experienced since the October 7 attacks and Bondi Junction massacre last December, where 15 innocent lives were lost.
