An all-boys netball team that was verbally abused by parents after thrashing a girls team in a state grand final has hit back at their critics.
The Queensland Suns condemned the hostile reception after their Under 17s team beat the all-female Bond University Bull Sharks 46-12 at Brisbane's Nissan Arena on Sunday.
'We understand that there are many passionate people in netball, which we love, but sometimes that passion can be channelled the wrong way,' the Suns said in a statement.
Several spectators levelled vile insults against the players and coach with many outraged that an all-boys team was allowed to play against an all-girls team.
'While respecting everyone is entitled to an opinion, we have been subject to inappropriate behaviour and commentary,' the Suns said.
'Whether you agree or disagree with Netball Queensland's decision to allow us to play for the State Title, the abuse our players have received is unacceptable.
An all-boys netball team that was verbally abused by parents after thrashing a girls team in a state grand final has hit back at their critics (pictured, Queensland Suns players pose for a photograph with Bond University Bull Sharks rivals)
The Queensland Suns condemned the hostile reception after their Under 17s team beat the all-female Bond University Bull Sharks 46-12 at Brisbane's Nissan Arena
'Our players and club have also been targeted by comments on social media platforms.
'Generally, people say that they are all for boys and men being included in netball, though sadly based on recent behaviour we feel unwelcomed and unsupported.'
The Suns said the club would continue to promote men's netball despite the 'negative' media attention.
Queensland Suns president Steve Curr said he believed the team handled the hostility well.
'Really proud to the boys how they handled and reacted to it,' he told Channel Nine's Today Show on Friday.
'It would have been easy to have been swept up there and bit back.'
Suns head coach Tammy Holcroft said it was 'disappointing' to hear some of the comments made by parents sitting in the stands.
'The abuse ranged from comments made courtside deliberately within earshot of the Suns contingent, to adults making vulgar comments directly behind the team bench,' she told The Courier-Mail.
'It's disappointing that the frustration was directed at the players.'
Netball Queensland defended its decision to include the boys in the tournament, where they easily won their seven games on the way to the title, on the basis they had nowhere else to play due to the lower number of male players.
'This year in an effort to show case the talent in both female and male pathways we offered the QLD Suns Men's team the opportunity to play in the Nissan State Titles, having welcomed them in an invitational capacity last year,' it stated.
'We acknowledge this has caused controversy, but it in no way justifies the abuse, intimidation experienced by our players and officials,' the Queensland Suns said in a statement
Netball Queensland defended the decision to include the boys was because they had no where else to play and encourage other male players of the sport
'We are hopeful this will be a catalyst for a stand alone men's competition in 2022.'
The organisation said senior netball teams the Queensland Firebirds and Sapphires regularly trained against male players.
'We stand by the decision to choose inclusion over exclusion. And, to invite the Queensland Suns to return to the State Titles given they have limited
