Sydney Flames officials have broken their silence on bullying claims levelled against Australian basketball great Shane Heal who has filed Federal Court proceedings against the club.
Heal, who has been absent from his coaching role with the WNBL since January, filed the proceedings last week seeking penalties and orders preventing his termination.
The club launched an investigation after multiple players approached the club with bullying complaints against Heal in early January.
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Heal was suspended and his daughter, star player Shyla, has also left the club and joined the Townsville Fire while other players have had counselling provided by the Australian Basketball Players Association.
On Tuesday the Flames made their first comment by way of a statement to which Heal, an Australian Boomers and National Basketball League great who denies any wrongdoing, responded with his own statement declaring the club release had been “inaccurate and incomplete in a number of respects”.
The club statement said “multiple Sydney Flames players separately approached club officials with allegations of bullying” by Heal.
“After consideration of the allegations and the risk to the health and safety of players and the club’s obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act (2011), as well as the obligations we have under the Basketball Australia Member Protection Policy, it was determined by the Sydney Flames to carry out an independent, factual investigation of the allegations made and that Shane Heal be suspended while the investigation took place,” the statement continued.
“Several players subsequently approached the Australian Basketball Players Association (ABPA) who have provided counselling and support to the players concerned, for which the club remains grateful.
“The club has remained resolute in allowing due process to be followed including limiting public comment to avoid any repercussions for the individuals involved.”
The Flames believe Heal’s legal proceedings “are simply an effort to delay or block” the club ending its own investigation.
Heal in response said he was “disappointed that they made the statement without any consultation or notice” with court proceedings ongoing.
“I have been employed as the head coach of Sydney Flames since March 2021. I have worked closely with the team, coaching staff and management without any issues or concerns being raised,” he said.
“During late 2022, I raised various concerns affecting my ability to coach the team. I then raised concern on 7 January 2023 about the manner in which I had been treated by a senior member of Sydney Flames management. Soon after, I was suspended.
“At a later stage, I was provided with, in my view, broadly stated and general allegations. While I cannot, at this stage, go into the nature of the allegations and the investigation which was undertaken, I wish to make clear that I have raised concerns about the nature of the allegations; the motivation of raising them as at 20 January 2023; and fundamental deficiencies in the investigation process which was undertaken.
“I deny that I have at any stage acted in a manner to risk the health and safety of any person or player.”
Mediation between the Flames and Heal was set for last Thursday but the case is headed back to court on Wednesday according to Federal Court listings.