Reservoir, Melbourne: Wild moment mums brawl at under-16 girls’ basketball game

Wild footage has caught the confronting moment an under-16s basketball game erupted into an all-out brawl between parents and children.

The scenes were captured at a girl’s A-grade basketball game at the Darebin Community Sports Stadium in Reservoir, northern Melbourne, on February 24. 

It is understood that while the Darebin Giants were playing the Doreen Cougars, parents began throwing punches on the court instead.

The tensions between the clubs has existed for some time, 9News reports.  

Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze told the publication the footage was ‘appalling’ and ‘disappointing’.

‘When you see family members, friends and grown men running on about something their upset about in an under-16 girls’ game of basketball, it’s appalling,’ he said.

‘You never like to see violence anywhere but when you are talking about a domestic game of basketball that emotions can run this high, it’s just disappointing.’

It is understood the fight erupted after one parent punched another in the face before others in the stadium rushed down to the court to join in. 

One player is seen running into the crowd and appearing to repeatedly stomp on another person as the group continues to fight.  

It is understood that the fight took place during the Darebin Giants vs Doreen Cougars A-grade game at the Darebin Community Sports Stadium in Reservoir, in northern Melbourne

Basketball Victoria released a statement confirming that both teams had been banned for the remainder of the season pending a tribunal hearing.

‘Basketball Victoria and the Eastern Districts Junior Basketball Association (EDJBA) are disappointed by the behaviour displayed at the game on Saturday and the actions of a number of individuals bringing the game of basketball into disrepute,’ the statement said.

‘Following initial investigations, Basketball Victoria confirms that it is in the process of issuing appropriate sanctions against a number of individuals (players, spectators, coaches and team managers) for breaches of Basketball Victoria’s code of conduct and by-laws.

‘[We are] committed to creating an environment where the community can enjoy participation in activities, events or programs without experiencing abusive, insulting, threatening or other anti-social behaviour.’

Simon Kinsella, a child psychologist, told the publication the behaviour was an example of ‘poor role modelling’ and that it was ‘intimidating’ for the children.