A woman has been charged following reports she allegedly made antisemitic comments while watching a children's netball game in Sydney's east.
Police were called to Heffron Park netball courts at Maroubra just after 10am on Saturday after reports of a woman making offensive comments towards a group of people.
The 42-year-old woman was reportedly at a junior game between Saints Netball Club and Maccabi Netball Club, a Jewish community club.
NSW Police issued a move-on direction at the game, and on Sunday charged the woman for using offensive language in a public place. She is expected to appear before Waverley Local Court on 17 June.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of a $660 fine or a community corrections order.
Netball NSW said the individual had been suspended from attending or participating in any netball activities while the matter was investigated.
"Everyone in our netball community deserves to feel safe, welcome and respected," it said in a statement.
"Antisemitism and discrimination of any kind have absolutely no place in our game and will not be tolerated."
"We commend Randwick Netball Association and Saints Netball Club for their swift response, including contacting police, engaging directly with those affected and strongly condemning antisemitic behaviour."
Saints Netball Club said in a statement on Saturday it was aware that a "supporter associated with our club" had allegedly made comments of an antisemitic nature.
"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," it said.
Adam Dinte, president of Maccabi Netball Club, told the Sydney Morning Herald the young girls in the team were deeply distressed after the incident.
"One of the girls in our team after the game told her mother that she wanted to take her uniform off because she didn’t want to be identified as Jewish, and didn't feel safe," he said.
The report occurred a day after the first week of hearings at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion concluded, with many witnesses testifying about their experiences with discrimination and hostility in public places.
Feeling unsafe to practice their religion publicly, particularly after the mass shooting that targeted a Hanukkah event at Bondi in December, was a common theme of the evidence given to Commissioner Virginia Bell.
— With additional reporting by Australian Associated Press
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