Sydney Woman Charged Over Alleged Antisemitic Slur During U12s Netball Game
Image: Randwick City Council
A 42-year-old woman has been charged for the alleged use of antisemitic language during an under 12s netball game in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs.
The woman has also been issued a Court Attendance Notice for the use of offensive language in or near a public place or school, and is to appear at Waverly Local Court on June 17.
The alleged offence took place at 10 am Saturday morning during an under 12s game between Maccabi Netball Club and Saints Netball Club at Heffron Park in Maroubra, where officers were notified by locals attending the match.
The officers then spoke to the woman at the scene and issued a move-on order, but she was not arrested at the time.
In a video taken on the day, Alex Ryvchin, Co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, was seen confronting the lady at the scene.
In the video, Mr. Ryvchin is seen asking “Did you actually say what’s being alleged?”
“No,” insists the woman.
On Sunday May 10, the Saints Netball Club, the Randwick Netball Association, and Netball NSW all released statements condemning the comments, and placed a ‘provisional suspension’ on the woman.
“The Saints Netball club unequivocally condemns and disavows antisemitism in all its forms,” and that “Such remarks do not reflect the values, principles, or standards of our club,” the club wrote in a statement online.
However, Mr. Ryvchin criticised the delay in response from the club.
“The first response should have been from the woman’s own club, for other parents on her team to say, ‘you have brought us into disgrace,’” Mr. Ryvchin said.
Jenny Morrissey, President of the Randwick Netball Association, also released a statement on behalf of the Association condemning the actions of the woman.
“Netball is a place where everyone is welcome and we will not tolerate antisemitic or discriminatory behaviour in our community in any way,” she said.
According to Mr. Ryvchin, supporters of the Saints Netball Club came to the woman’s defence whilst he confronted the alleged offender.
“One man was recorded stating that ‘There’s a reason why this happens to you people every weekend… you’re always playing the victim,’” Ryvchin explains.
The incident occurred just after the first week of hearings concluded during the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.
The commission seeks to investigate the surge of antisemitism in Australia and recommend ways to protect Jewish Australians from antisemitism.
The Government’s Special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jilian Segal commented on the rise in antisemitism in young Australians.
“It’s almost fashionable, so if someone that they follow online, an influencer, is of that view, they’ll adopt that view,” she said.
City Hub reached out to Maccabi Netball Club and Randwick Netball Association, who did not respond by time of publication.
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