100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Flat track bullies: cricket club targeted amid wave of 'disrespectful' youths in town

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Flood rescue and lightning strike after night of heavy rain

A person has been rescued from floodwaters and another was struck by lightning after wild weather hit the Sunshine Coast. ANZAC Day commemorations went ahead More

Lest we forget: Coast pauses to remember on wet ANZAC Day

Across the Sunshine Coast this morning community members have gathered to pay heartfelt tribute to past and present servicemen and women as part of More

Never forgotten: veteran’s mission to keep ANZAC spirit alive

Every year on April 25, Australians and New Zealanders commemorate those who have given their lives, fought on the frontline, served in the Armed More

ANZAC Day: where you can attend services on the Coast

This Friday the country will stop to remember the sacrifice and bravery of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and servicewomen, past and present. April 25 More

Easter feast: python devours possum at busy beach

A slithery creature has enjoyed quite the Easter feast while stunning visitors at a popular beach over the recent long weekend. Passers-by were stopped in More

‘Ongoing challenge’: group works towards reliable harbour access

The state's waterways authority says it is doing what it can to address persistent shoaling at the entrance to the Sunshine Coast's main harbour. Maritime More

Members of a popular cricket club are picking up the pieces after vandals damaged their venue, amid a string of youth unrest in the region.

Caloundra Cricket Club players are ‘livid’ after teenagers targeted their main field during the school holidays.

Police are investigating an incident of wilful damage, with initial reports indicating an e-scooter caused damage to the usually pristine Roy Henzell Oval, which has hosted international games.

Club president Alex Cottrell said the property manager saw “about seven juveniles on the field doing donuts”.

He said the wicket square, which includes about six pitches at various stages of growth, were in great condition before the episode.

“The groundsmen worked pretty much for free during the mid-season break to get the decks in good condition,” he said.

“And the wickets were nice and wet from a bit of rain, so they were great.”

“Then this happens.

“They (the youths) have gone out there on their electric scooter and ripped it up.”

Elias Cottrell hard at work, to repair the field.

He said it was a serious blow to the club and it would be an expensive and lengthy recuperation.

“It’s going to take months to recover,” he said.

“Grass doesn’t grow overnight, especially this stuff.

“It’s disappointing, the players are very livid with the whole thing.

“It’s just disgusting. It costs money and we will have to wait months for them (the pitches) to grow back before we can use them, which puts us out of kilter for the season.

“I know the players are outraged and I’m pretty sure the community will be disappointed too.”

Mr Cottrell, whose son Elias could be the youngest groundsman in the country, said up to four pitches were significantly damaged.

“We usually have six wickets, so we can alternate using them during the season, but now we will be limited to two or three, and for a tier-one club that’s very difficult to do,” he said.

Some of the damage to the pitches.

Mr Cottrell said the youths returned to the scene afterwards and milled around the shelter between fields. Photos and footage were taken of them and passed on to police.

Mr Cottell believed the region “from Pelican Waters to Kawana” had been targeted by youths in recent times.

“We do hear quite a bit (from locals) about it going on,” he said.

“Up until now, we have been a bit sheltered at the club because we asked police to do an extra drive-past … but it’s like the kids have come to the end of the school holidays and they’re bored, and they feel the need to rip around.”

Police said investigations were ongoing regarding the incident and they appealed to anyone with information to come forward.

Senior Constable Shannon Dowd said youths had recently caused disturbances at shopping centres and sports and recreational venues, aside from more serious crimes.

“There has been disrespect for authority figures,” he said.

“They’ve been at the shopping centre abusing security staff and management.

“The damage to the cricket field was disgusting.”

He said “one to two per cent” of youths were causing problems.

“The majority of kids are sitting at home or down the beach with their friends or working part-time jobs but there is an element in Caloundra – some kids who seem to have no boundaries at the moment and don’t have any respect for other people’s properties or rules.”

Subscribe to our free daily news feed. Go to Subscribe at the top of this story and add your name and email. It’s that simple.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share