UPDATE: Australian basketball nice Shane Heal has hit again at allegations he bullied gamers in his WNBL group.
Heal has been stood down from his duties as head coach of the Sydney Flames for the previous month, with no motive beforehand made public.
Including to the intrigue was his daughter, Shyla, suddenly quitting the Flames to join Townsville Fire a fortnight ago.
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The small print surrounding Heal’s shock absence had been saved a thriller, till now.
The Flames on Tuesday confirmed in an announcement that “a number of Sydney Flames gamers individually approached membership officers with allegations of bullying” early in January.
The membership suspended Heal whereas an investigation happened, and the previous NBA, NBL and Australian Boomers star has since filed an injunction within the federal court docket in opposition to the Flames.
Heal’s case will subsequent seem in court docket on Wednesday.
“What sits on the coronary heart of this matter is participant security and welfare,” the Flames stated.
“That’s our sole concern presently, and we’ll all the time preserve deal with that.
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“The Sydney Flames see no advantage in Mr Heal’s present authorized manoeuvrings and can defend Mr Heal’s court docket proceedings vigorously and to its full extent.”
However following the Flames’ assertion being made public on Tuesday, Heal issued his personal tackle the matter.
“I’m dissatisfied that they made the assertion with none session or discover, notably when there are court docket proceedings on foot,” the Sydney Kings legend stated.
“Of concern, the assertion is inaccurate and incomplete in quite a few respects. In these circumstances, I’ve no alternative however to briefly reply.
“(Since March 2021) I’ve labored intently with the group, teaching workers and administration with none points or issues being raised.
“Throughout late 2022, I raised numerous issues affecting my skill to teach the group. I then raised concern on January 7 2023 concerning the method by which I had been handled by a senior member of Sydney Flames administration. Quickly after, I used to be suspended.
“At a later stage, I used to be supplied with, in my opinion, broadly said and common allegations. Whereas I can’t, at this stage, go into the character of the allegations and the investigation which was undertaken, I want to clarify that I’ve raised issues concerning the nature of the allegations; the motivation of elevating them as at January 20 2023; and basic deficiencies within the investigation course of which was undertaken. I’ve additionally offered an in depth response.
“I deny that I’ve at any stage acted in a way to danger the well being and security of any individual or participant. On the contrary, I’ve sought to safeguard the wellbeing and pursuits of gamers, and assist them. I’ve not been knowledgeable by Sydney Flames (or another organisation) of the id of any individuals who could have raised issues.
“I don’t settle for the accusation by the Sydney Flames that I’m partaking in litigation for some improper function. The current litigation is my try and defend my rights and entitlements, and likewise pursue the issues which I’ve concerning the investigation course of; allegations raised; and reliance by Sydney Flames on these allegations.
“I take satisfaction in my position and respect every participant. I additionally respect my teaching workers who’ve labored tirelessly alongside me and proceed to do a incredible job.”
The Flames say quite a few gamers have additionally spoken to the Australian Basketball Gamers’ Affiliation and have been provided counselling.
Heal, now 52 years outdated, went undrafted within the 1992 NBA draft however subsequently performed two separate stints in America’s high league – with the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs.
He had a fruitful profession in Australia and was the 1988 NBL rookie of the yr, and gained the Gaze Medal twice.
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