A father is expressing his anger and concern after his 11-year-old son, Bentley McHenry, was struck in the head by a golf ball during the Newcastle Jets' semi-final match against Sydney FC in the A-League Men's competition. The incident occurred amidst a chaotic atmosphere, where other fans were also subjected to being sprayed with beer and hit by cans and bottles.

Incident Details

Andrew McHenry, Bentley's father, along with his son and family members, were seated in Bay 9 of McDonald Jones Stadium, adjacent to the away section for Sydney FC supporters. The situation escalated following a goal by Eli Adams, which equalized the match at 1-1. Mr. McHenry reported that Bentley was hit near his ear by a golf ball thrown from the Sydney FC supporters' section. Witnesses in the area corroborated the account, noting that golf balls were thrown and that some fans were doused with beer.

Medical staff attended to Bentley at the stadium, applying an ice pack to his injury. Mr. McHenry also spoke with police regarding the incident and has since reached out to both the Jets and Sydney FC via email to address the matter. He expressed his concern about the potential long-term impact on his son's love for football, stating, "The golf ball at the game that hit my son in the ear on the side of the head - if that was inches either way, that's his temple."

Concerns for Future Attendance

Bentley, who plays under-12s for the Kurri Kurri Roosters, is a dedicated Jets fan and has a particular admiration for departing striker Lachlan Rose. Mr. McHenry mentioned that he and Bentley have attended most home games this season, as well as away matches in Sydney, Gosford, and Melbourne. However, he fears that this traumatic experience may deter his son and other young fans from enjoying the game in the future. "There are other kids there that are getting discouraged away from the game," he noted, emphasizing the negative impact of the violent behavior witnessed that night.

Police confirmed they received reports of a child being struck by a golf ball or another object and that Bentley was treated for a minor injury before leaving with his parents. Following the incident, some individuals were removed from the stadium by security and police, although authorities stated that there were no major issues for the crowd of 25,082 attendees.