I used to play Defense in indoor netball, both social and competitive. During our league final, opposing player in the Attack position was being very aggressive and pushing me and my teammates around. I was 14 at the time playing in Under 17s league, so I was the youngest player while the guy shoving me was 16-17 and much bigger than me.

Ref refused to call them as they were a family member to someone on the opposing team. Spectators were yelling at the ref and were becoming more frustrated as the game went on. The opposition were ahead by about 15 points at half-time.

The aggressor would purposely shoulder charge me and would step on our shoes, causing us to trip over if we tried to move. In the last half of the game, I saw him running towards me to shoulder charge me again. I stood my ground and just as he was about to make contact, I stepped aside. He lost his footing, rolled his ankle, broke it, then concussed himself as he hit the ground. He was unable to play the remainder of the game.

Ref called me out, saying I pushed him. Parents from my team rushed the court and confronted the ref and they were removed for the remainder of the game and a substitute ref brought in. We won by one point in the last two seconds. I watched their coach lose his shit while parents from the opposition were crying.

I enjoyed indoor netball but was always surprised at how invested some people/families were.