Jewish families will be going to their games next week worried about what will happen
On a quiet Saturday morning in Sydney, a children's netball game became the site of something far older and heavier than sport — alleged antisemitic abuse directed at a Jewish-led club competing in a suburban park. Police attended, a woman was issued a move-on direction, and the incident rippled outward into a community already navigating a royal commission born from tragedy. It is a reminder that hatred does not confine itself to grand stages; it arrives, too, at the sidelines of under-12s games, where families have gathered simply to watch their children play.
- A 42-year-old woman allegedly directed antisemitic comments at members of the Maccabi netball club during a children's match at Maroubra's Heffron Park, prompting police to attend and issue a move-on direction.
- The incident landed with particular force just days into the public hearings of a royal commission into antisemitism — itself established in the wake of a deadly terror attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi beach.
- Jewish community leaders moved swiftly to condemn the abuse, with calls for life bans, mandatory game stoppages, and clearer protocols so that children and parents are not left to manage hatred alone on the court.
- The Saints Netball Club and the Randwick Netball Association both issued apologies and pledged investigations, but the formal responses left an unresolved question hanging over next weekend's fixtures.
- For Jewish families, the damage is already felt — not only in what was said, but in the anxiety now accompanying something as ordinary as watching a child play sport.
On a Saturday morning in May, police were called to Heffron Park in Maroubra after reports that a woman had directed offensive comments at those gathered for an under-12s netball match between Maccabi, a Jewish-led club, and the Saints. Officers spoke with a 42-year-old woman and issued her a move-on direction. The investigation into her alleged remarks was continuing.
Adam Dinte, president of Maccabi Netball NSW, addressed members that same day, calling the incident deeply distressing and unacceptable. He confirmed the club was in contact with police and the Community Security Group, and was preparing a formal complaint to both the Randwick Netball Association and the Saints club.
The incident arrived during a charged moment. Public hearings had just begun for a royal commission into antisemitism in Australia — established following the Bondi beach terror attack in December 2024, in which 15 people were killed at a Hanukkah celebration. Witnesses at those hearings, including schoolchildren, had already described experiences of hostility and discrimination.
Community leaders responded with condemnation and calls for structural change. Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry argued for a life ban and urged that referees and team managers be empowered to stop games immediately when abuse occurs. "It shouldn't be left to kids and parents to deal with," he said — and then named the deeper wound: Jewish families would now approach next weekend's games with worry rather than joy.
The Saints club apologised and disavowed antisemitism in all its forms. The Randwick Netball Association pledged to investigate alongside Netball NSW. The words of condemnation came quickly and clearly. But the harder questions — about training, safeguards, and what actually changes — remained unanswered, even as the children and families who were there already carried the weight of what had happened.
On a Saturday morning in May, police arrived at netball courts in Maroubra, a suburb in Sydney's south, just after 10am. They had been called to Heffron Park following reports that a woman had directed offensive comments at a group of people gathered for an under-12s game. The match was between Maccabi, a Jewish-led netball club, and the Saints. By the time officers arrived, they spoke with a 42-year-old woman and issued her a move-on direction. The investigation into what she allegedly said was continuing.
Adam Dinte, president of Maccabi Netball NSW, addressed club members that same day. He called what happened "deeply distressing" and "completely unacceptable." His statement was careful and direct: Jewish players, parents, coaches, and supporters deserved the right to participate in community sport without fear of racism, abuse, intimidation, or vilification. The club was already in contact with police and the Community Security Group, a Jewish-led organization focused on safety. Maccabi was also preparing a formal complaint to the Randwick Netball Association and to the Saints club itself.
The timing of the incident carried weight. Just days earlier, the first week of public hearings had begun for a royal commission into antisemitism in Australia. The commission had been established after the Bondi beach terror attack in December 2024, when 15 people were killed at a beachside Hanukkah celebration. At those hearings, witnesses from the Jewish community—including schoolchildren—had described experiences of hostility and discrimination. Now, here was another incident, this one at a children's sporting event.
David Ossip, president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, said his organization was aware of the Maroubra incident and would ensure it received appropriate attention. "Children's sport should be a place of respectful competition and friendly exchange where all should feel welcome," he said. "There must be no tolerance for racism or discrimination." The words were measured, but the concern was unmistakable.
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, was more pointed. He said the woman should receive a life ban from the sport. He also argued that team managers and referees needed clear instructions to stop games immediately if such abuse occurred. "It shouldn't be left to kids and parents to deal with," he said. His comment captured something deeper: the anxiety now shadowing families who simply wanted to watch their children play. "It's really horrible that Jewish families will be going to their games next week worried about what will happen rather than enjoying weekend sports with their kids."
The Saints Netball Club issued a statement on social media acknowledging that one of their supporters was alleged to have made antisemitic comments. The club said it "unequivocally condemns and disavows antisemitism in all its forms" and apologized to the Jewish community and those directly affected. Jenny Morrissey, president of the Randwick Netball Association, said her organization was working with Netball NSW to investigate and respond. "Netball is a place where everyone is welcome," she said, "and we will not tolerate antisemitic or discriminatory behaviour in our community in any way."
The statements came quickly, the condemnations clear. But the incident itself—a woman making offensive comments at a children's game—raised a question that the formal responses did not quite address: what happens next week, when families return to the courts? What safeguards change? What training happens? The investigation was continuing, but for the children and parents involved, the damage was already done.
Citações Notáveis
Jewish players, parents, coaches, administrators and supporters have the right to participate in community sport safely and confidently, free from racism, abuse, intimidation or vilification.— Adam Dinte, president of Maccabi Netball NSW
It's really horrible that Jewish families will be going to their games next week worried about what will happen rather than enjoying weekend sports with their kids.— Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry
A Conversa do Hearth Outra perspectiva sobre a história
Why does this incident matter beyond the immediate harm? It's one woman at one game.
Because it's not isolated. This happened during a royal commission into antisemitism that was called after a terror attack that killed 15 people. The commission is hearing testimony from Jewish children about discrimination they face. This incident is part of a pattern.
But the woman was given a move-on direction. Isn't that handling it?
A move-on direction means she left. It doesn't address what happens next—whether referees are trained to stop games, whether there are consequences that stick, whether families feel safe returning. That's what the community leaders are really asking for.
The Saints club apologized. Isn't that enough?
An apology is necessary but it's reactive. What people are asking for is prevention. Ryvchin said it shouldn't be left to kids and parents to manage abuse. That's the gap—the systems aren't in place yet.
What's the human cost here?
Jewish children at that game experienced antisemitic abuse while trying to play sport. Their parents witnessed it. Now families are anxious about going to games. You've turned a place of community and joy into a place where you have to worry about your safety.
Is this a broader problem in Australian sport?
This incident suggests it is. But the real question is whether community sport organizations have the training, protocols, and will to address it when it happens. Right now, it seems they're still figuring that out.