Shane Heal applies for federal court injunction against the Sydney Flames

The mystery surrounding Shane Heal’s absence from the Sydney Flames has taken another turn, with the NBL great applying for a federal court injunction against the team.

Shane Heal has applied for a federal court injunction against the Sydney Flames following the club’s decision to stand him down, pending an investigation.

But the ongoing mystery surrounding Heal’s three-week absence as the Flames’ WNBL coach took a dramatic turn on Tuesday when his injunction was referred to mediation for this Thursday.

Heal, an Australian basketball legend, hasn’t coached Sydney’s WNBL side since January 15 and it has since emerged the Flames have launched an investigation.

Neither the Flames, nor Heal, have revealed the nature of the investigation.

However, it is understood the Flames launched the workplace investigation after several Flames players complained to both the club and the Australian Basketball Players’ Association about Heal’s behaviour as head coach.

The Flames have refused to comment on the probe involving the Australian basketball legend, but News Corp understands that the independent firm engaged to handle the claims is close to completing its investigation.

It is understood the former Boomers captain and four-time Olympian took his case against the Flames to the Federal court in Sydney on Tuesday due to dissatisfaction with progress of the independent workplace investigation.

News Corp understands there was an urgent interlocutory application that was filed before the duty judge in the Federal Court of Australia to stop the Sydney Flames from making any decision regarding Heal’s employment after refusal by the club to give any undertakings.

The club declined to comment on the latest development.

Shane Heal has applied for a federal court injunction against the Sydney Flames. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

It’s also understood that Heal has raised his own issues over his treatment by the club, which has been lodged with the Fair Work Commission but is yet to be determined.

Heal, meanwhile, maintained his silence about the Flames’ independent investigation via the Basketball Show on Monday.

“No updates,” Heal said.

“Director Dave said I was too jovial when I had to discuss it last week (on the show).

“The facts are that I’ve been handed a piece of paper and I’m not allowed to say one word.

“That is all I’m allowed to say.”

Heal did address his daughter Shyla leaving the Flames to sign with the Townsville Fire, where she played in 2020 and led the Fire to a grand final series.

When asked if Shyla’s signing with the Fire was a separate issue to his investigation with the Flames, he replied: 100 per cent.”

Heal’s case comes four months after club legend and former coach Karen Dalton filed a lawsuit in the federal court against the Flames.

In an ongoing case, Dalton claims she was discriminated against by a “boys club” because of her age, gender and disability after complaining about the lack of resources given to the Flames compared to the Sydney Kings men‘s team.

The 62-year-old was employed as head coach of the Flames in 2003 and promoted to general manager in April 2014.

She moved into the role of CEO in July 2020, reporting to Sydney Flames owner Paul Smith and Sydney Kings CEO Chris Pongrass.

Originally published as Shane Heal applies for federal court injunction against the Sydney Flames