Schoolboy Rugby Violence

Hot off the press from SMH

'Spiteful' rugby match ends in king hit and brawl

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/spiteful--rugby-match-ends-in-king-hit-and-brawl-20120723-22k4a.html#ixzz21RWi9vyv

A "spiteful" and "physical" boys' rugby union game in Sutherland Shire led to police being called when an alleged king hit sparked a brawl between two teams.
The clash between the under-16 teams of Sylvania Bulldogs and Coogee Seahorses happened when a Coogee player allegedly punched an opponent in the face as the teams went to shake hands after the match yesterday. Parents and supporters restrained players in a scuffle that lasted up to 30 seconds, witnesses say.
Sutherland police were called to the incident at A.R. Hurst reserve and interviewed referees, linesmen and spectators.
"It's something which is out of the ordinary here," Sutherland police Inspector Bourchier said. "Obviously there was a bit of spite during the match and there was some conversation in the match between the man that we've classified as the offender and the victim. The offender was allegedly held back from his own players and then ran around them and punched the victim in the face."

Police described the match as a "spiteful" and "physical" game that twice needed an ambulance to be called to the ground. One player dislocated his elbow and an opponent broke his arm as a result of separate incidents during general play.
Coogee won the game but their celebrations were cut short by the alleged king hit by their player. Police will continue their investigations and, depending on the evidence, will decide whether to press charges.
"Bearing in mind that they're kids, a lot of outside influences come in to play so it depends what evidence we have at the end of the investigation," Inspector Bourchier said.
Sylvania Bulldogs president Craig Townsend said that there was no ongoing rivalry between the clubs or pre-existing tension from past meetings that may have attributed to the fight.
"The whole incident is disappointing, to be honest with you. The fact that a player from a winning team would choose to do what he did is a disgrace," he said.
"The full-time whistle went, the boys all lined up to shake hands at the end of the game. One of the players from the opposition allegedly king hit one of the Sylvania players and that made the whole thing erupt."
The Coogee Seahorses would not comment on the incident but they are conducting their own internal investigation, which will be sent to Sydney Junior Rugby Union.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/spiteful--rugby-match-ends-in-king-hit-and-brawl-20120723-22k4a.html#ixzz21RXWaZVg

What was going on over the weekend?? Full Moon or something

There is the above involving police.
There were Sendoffs galore at Scots v Kings.
Plenty of Yellow cards in the rest of the School boy games.

Can't really see how a Seahorse could attack a Bulldog? Must have been a really agressive little seahorse.

EDIT:
One of the Junior Jarses has just told me that Facebook gossip is that there was a big blue at the end of the Randwick vs Easts 3rds Colts over the weekend as well. Seems as if fighting wasn't just a Schoolboy/junior rugby issue. Reinforces the question, what was special over last weekend in particular?

Written with a Heavy bias towards Sylvania, doesn't show the full story

Were you there? Fill in the gaps please if you feel the article is biased. If not register the disgust in all involved that deserve it.

Readers,
Careful with comments regarding the actual Seahorse vs Bulldogs game, especially naming names.

With Police involved, and SJRU judiciary/investigation as well, it is best to only comment on what is already in the public domain, or about youth violence in sport in general.

The purpose of the post was to highlight the amount of violence going on on our fields, and to remind some of the smug rah rah types who have their heads in the sand believing that king hits, kicking players on the ground etc is limited to mungoball, western suburbs or the public school system.

Last weekend has shown that it is an issue with society in general, and rugby and private schools are not immune.

& I think you'll find that the Sylvania President might get his bum kicked by SJRU into the argument. What strikes me as curious is that "2 ambulances" makes it a spiteful game. Would have thought that if there was spite and malice in the game, maybe a few cards were dealt out. Just as likely one player baited another with some colourful joke about his mother / sister / girlfriend and the other reacted. No chance to push this towards a dual-coder either - not many of them in the Sunday comp are there?

I am not surprised by this: the heat on the touchlines this season is something else. Judging by the emails from the Sydney South's refs that I have been getting there are weekly incidents.
I cannot help thinking that there are some parents (and coaches) who have just a little too much invested in the success of children on the rugby field.
IT IS A GAME.

Unfortunately this violence is increasing everywhere.
On the streets, in the playground, video games, in homes, on licensed premises etc.

The other thing that's lacking is respect for authority.
The very people who used to receive the most respect like Parents, Police, Teachers, Nurses and Ambulance are now too often the victims of assault.
Drunks are sometimes assaulting paramedics trying to get through crowds to help injured victims.

But, what chance have you got with the kids when the parents are the problem?
One of my mates was getting upset by the abuse hurled at the teenage referee of a private school soccer match this past weekend.
At halftime he politely asked a couple of the other team's parents to tone it down a bit as the ref was just a kid doing his best.
They abused him and said "who the hell do you think you are, f#@k off" and then proceeded to become physically threatening.

On a related subject I liked what I heard about how Subbies Rugby has dealt with abuse.

More info please - had heard they had taken a zero tolerance perspective but keep forgetting to ask ppl I know for more detail. cheers MOTH

Sorry I don't know the details but my understanding is that they had had enough of the on field and off field BS and brought in some meaningful repercussions that were embraced.

Quite correct HJ, the matter is now 'Sui Juris' and commentators run the risk of contempt of Court and go to jail especially where minors are concerned. So head HJ's advice 'NO NAMES'!

Maybe those filming the new program 'the Shite' (sorry the Shire) should have been at the game for some real 'reality tv' (pardon the tautology).

I was there but not playing and the article doesn't seem to mention when a Sylvania player pushed one of the Coogee boys who had just scored a try running full pace into a shed which dislocated his elbow and how some Sylvania parents (including the coach) thought it would be appropriate to run on the field and try to 'break things up' ie. Getting a little to physical in the scuffle and continually abusing the Coogee boys during it.

It seems crowds are also out of control. Here are a few League articles from the last few weeks:

http://www.news.com.au/national/parents-join-in-on-field-brawl/story-e6frfkvr-1226310913988

http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/rugby-league-brawl-at-menai/2500801.aspx

http://origin.manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/inquiry-into-fan-brawl-at-football/

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/7243064/Referee-hits-out-at-threats-in-Canterbury-games

http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/n...s-his-support-to-referee-masters/2618589.aspx

http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/story/2012/07/16/more-brawl-suspensions-handed-down/

http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/story/2012/07/08/comets-and-mustangs-game-explodes/

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/que...-escort-after-grand-final-20120717-227hg.html

UK http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/r...l-erupts-1.976220?referrerPath=sport/football

Afl http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/n...derway-into-hoppers-tigers-fight/2531659.aspx


http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-...more-rugby-in-wilcannia/4150230?section=sport

I heard its a mandatory two week suspension for racial abuse

Playing u/10 against balmain police boys in 1975 members of our team got belted with an umbrella as we ran to close to the opositions mungo mum, this training may be why we never see wingers marking their man in the modern game. It is a laugh, and balmain wasnt the gentlemans suburb it is now.

Inu/15 in the early 80s saw parents from oposing teams break into a brawl(the teams had played a tough and fair game, left the field with a respect for each other and didn't apreciate the behavior of their parents)

It realy dosnt matter what did who to whom,when

The physical and mental contest that is football can only be played properly with pasion. Players should learn to respect any one else that is willing to compete in the sanctioned and mannaged violence that it is. It is one of the great gifts of rugby that players can play so pasionately to physicaly dominate each other with controlled agression and at the end of a game pull a punch into a handshake and an invitation to a beer. (clearly not for juniors)

i am not aware of many other football codes that have this attraction

Strong guidence is required from the uncles/aunties of the community (managers coaches adult spectators) to develop this understanding.

Frequently embarresed or frustrated by croud members, as I have said before refereeing from 50-100m away my sight is bad but I am sure no one can see that far with one eye. Players will learn from smart coachs to understand a referees interpretation and adapt thier game.
Fools will continue to be beligerent and find life getting worse.

Get over the "ohh Reeaf" and get on with the game, thats your job.

Sorry, if the coach and parents ran on the field - life bans. The field is the domain of the referee and his/her assistants. Maybe, a trainer holding his own players back might have a case.

What does Inu/15 mean?

It means I should edit better before I Post
in the Under/15 team
sorry No9 has sugested I improve spelling grammer sentance structure go back to school as well!
I'm just enjoying uneducated sprays

Thanks mate, don't worry about spelling and sentence structure or syntax; keep doing what you are doing. I'm sure everyone understands what you mean - some excellent comments.

I will never forget the day when I was a schoolboy in Ireland and while attending a game of schoolboy hurling I overheard one of our Christian Brother's give the following directions to lad who was taking the field as a replacement for a player who had been fouled:

"Toes wee blighters are playing tirty, so I want you to go out there and break some bleeedin' legs; and if you don't I goin' to break yours." [emphasis added for the Irish accent ]

The lad did what he was told! Back then you didn't question the Brothers, to do so meant the end of ya!