CASEBROOK NETBALL MUM EJECTED FOR COACHING THE REF FROM THE SIDELINE
Under-11 fixture paused eleven minutes after mother refused to leave without a written apology.
A Casebrook woman was asked to leave the sideline of an under-11 netball match at Casebrook Intermediate on Saturday, after spending two quarters instructing the umpire on contact, obstruction, and footwork.
The woman, identified by other parents as Danielle, had arrived with a chair and a thermos. By the second quarter she was walking the sideline in parallel with the umpire, calling "HELD BALL, LOVE" at nine-second intervals.
"She told the ref, and I quote, 'you're fucking embarrassing yourself, sweetheart'," said a parent from the Bishopdale side, who asked not to be named on account of "having to see her at prizegiving". "The ref is fifteen. She's doing it for twenty bucks and a mince pie."
A club official asked Danielle to relocate to the carpark. Danielle declined, citing the nor'wester and her right to watch her daughter play goal attack. A second official was summoned. A third, who had been eating a sausage roll, was also summoned.
Contacted for comment, Danielle told The Daily Yarn the umpire had "missed four contacts and an obstruction my husband saw from the car". Asked whether she accepted the ejection, she said: "I accept nothing. I've emailed Netball Mainland. I've CC'd the principal."
Her daughter's team lost 14–9. The daughter has reportedly asked to switch to hockey.
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Reader Letters
Kim_Westfield
Not surprising. This happens every weekend.
johnny_rangiora
Good on her, refs need thick skins!
couchgremlin33
Lol.
Duncan_LocalsOnly
Honestly, parents like this have ruined the fun in kids' sports. Back in my day, we played with mismatched uniforms and barely functioning equipment but had loads of fun. Danielle should chill out and let the kids play. It's supposed to be fun, not some top-level competition.
Riley_Skeptic
Why the hell was eating a sausage roll relevant? Focus on the netball!
Bri_Tommyknockers
Mate, why are you triggered by sausage rolls?
tired_mum_chch
It's shameful that parents can't even watch a game without turning it into a circus. Grow up, Danielle.
Fiona_NZ
The real shameful thing here is how often we see these 'sports parents' taking it too far. It's just netball, guys!
Marcus_gamer97
Honestly, the umpire probably had a lucky escape! Who'd want a mum coaching you from the sideline?!
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