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Penrith rugby league competitions could be cancelled over gang violence
Penrith junior rugby league officials have warned matches could be called off amid growing concerns of gang violence at games.
Dean Ritchie
2 min read
May 11, 2022 - 7:07PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Penrith has taken the extraordinary step of warning rugby league competitions could be cancelled as part of a crackdown on gang violence at matches.
NSW Police intelligence indicated gang members were planning to attend matches with weapons, prompting the Panthers, police and NSWRL to begin expressing concerns to clubs.
Riverstone police cancelled a match between Londonderry and St Pats last weekend after being warned about probable gang violence.
The concerned Panthers have urged any player, fan and parent aware of any looming gang-related violence to contact police.
There is a threat of more cancellations of adult matches from this weekend.
Panthers Juniors general manager Nathan Mairleitner released a statement on Wednesday —headlined Gang Violence – warning of the possible dangers that could further damage the competitions.
“Please note: The NSW Police Force will be cancelling matches across the state from this weekend where intelligence suggests everyone’s safety is compromised,” Mairleitner said.
“(The police) wants clubs to understand when clubs know about conversations or group chats in and around playing groups, they must report it to the PDJRL and police.
“As we all can appreciate, the NSWPF, NSWRL and PDJRL will not tolerate threats of violence, intimidation or acts of violence including affray which are all serious criminal offences.
“Community safety is the priority and my strongest suggestion would be to ensure this open letter is disseminated to all players, coaches, parents and spectators that games will be cancelled, players suspended or banned from the game and teams given strongest form of sanction of removal from the competition in the event they are found to be involved in organising acts of violence on or off the field.”
The cancellation of matches will only happen if police secure evidence showing gang members are ready to create trouble at games.
“All gangs should stay away from kids enjoying rugby league. There is no place for gangs in the Penrith Junior Rugby League,” said former Panthers forward Lou Zivanovic, whose company CABE is the Penrith Junior League’s major sponsor.
“We fully support any police crackdown on gang violence at matches.
“Boys and girls, men and women, should be allowed to play the game they love in a safe environment and not have to worry about any violence.
“It’s sad that it has to come to this but it is paramount that everyone playing or attending junior league games should be made to feel safe.”
NSWRL chief executive David Trodden said work was being done to deal with issues in adult community matches in the Riverstone area in Sydney’s north-west.
“In particular, the NSWRL fully supports and endorses any actions the Riverstone Police Area Command consider to be necessary to address potential acts of violence at community sporting grounds,” Trodden said.
“There is no place for violence in our sport or the community in general.
“The NSWRL also acknowledges the Penrith and Districts Junior Rugby League Club for taking a strong stance on the issue and providing their full support for local police in the Riverstone Area Command.
“It is also important to clarify that the issue identified is a specific concern for the area under the jurisdiction of the Riverstone Police Area Command, and NOT a state-wide issue.
“It is also relating to potential issues needing to be addressed in adult Community Rugby League and not children’s football.
“Both the Penrith DJRLC and the NSW Police are undertaking strong community initiatives as part of a number of strategies to address issues and concerns around youth at risk of drifting into a life of crime and gang violence..”
Penrith junior rugby league officials have warned matches could be called off amid growing concerns of gang violence at games.
Dean Ritchie2 min read
May 11, 2022 - 7:07PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Penrith has taken the extraordinary step of warning rugby league competitions could be cancelled as part of a crackdown on gang violence at matches.
NSW Police intelligence indicated gang members were planning to attend matches with weapons, prompting the Panthers, police and NSWRL to begin expressing concerns to clubs.
Riverstone police cancelled a match between Londonderry and St Pats last weekend after being warned about probable gang violence.
The concerned Panthers have urged any player, fan and parent aware of any looming gang-related violence to contact police.
There is a threat of more cancellations of adult matches from this weekend.
Panthers Juniors general manager Nathan Mairleitner released a statement on Wednesday —headlined Gang Violence – warning of the possible dangers that could further damage the competitions.
“Please note: The NSW Police Force will be cancelling matches across the state from this weekend where intelligence suggests everyone’s safety is compromised,” Mairleitner said.
“(The police) wants clubs to understand when clubs know about conversations or group chats in and around playing groups, they must report it to the PDJRL and police.
“As we all can appreciate, the NSWPF, NSWRL and PDJRL will not tolerate threats of violence, intimidation or acts of violence including affray which are all serious criminal offences.
“Community safety is the priority and my strongest suggestion would be to ensure this open letter is disseminated to all players, coaches, parents and spectators that games will be cancelled, players suspended or banned from the game and teams given strongest form of sanction of removal from the competition in the event they are found to be involved in organising acts of violence on or off the field.”
The cancellation of matches will only happen if police secure evidence showing gang members are ready to create trouble at games.
“All gangs should stay away from kids enjoying rugby league. There is no place for gangs in the Penrith Junior Rugby League,” said former Panthers forward Lou Zivanovic, whose company CABE is the Penrith Junior League’s major sponsor.
“We fully support any police crackdown on gang violence at matches.
“Boys and girls, men and women, should be allowed to play the game they love in a safe environment and not have to worry about any violence.
“It’s sad that it has to come to this but it is paramount that everyone playing or attending junior league games should be made to feel safe.”
NSWRL chief executive David Trodden said work was being done to deal with issues in adult community matches in the Riverstone area in Sydney’s north-west.
“In particular, the NSWRL fully supports and endorses any actions the Riverstone Police Area Command consider to be necessary to address potential acts of violence at community sporting grounds,” Trodden said.
“There is no place for violence in our sport or the community in general.
“The NSWRL also acknowledges the Penrith and Districts Junior Rugby League Club for taking a strong stance on the issue and providing their full support for local police in the Riverstone Area Command.
“It is also important to clarify that the issue identified is a specific concern for the area under the jurisdiction of the Riverstone Police Area Command, and NOT a state-wide issue.
“It is also relating to potential issues needing to be addressed in adult Community Rugby League and not children’s football.
“Both the Penrith DJRLC and the NSW Police are undertaking strong community initiatives as part of a number of strategies to address issues and concerns around youth at risk of drifting into a life of crime and gang violence..”
