Prominent Brisbane basketball coach charged with rape after alleged child grooming, sexual assault

A Brisbane basketball coach has been charged with grooming and raping a child over a number of years.

Police have charged a man with rape after he allegedly used his position as a basketball coach to groom and sexually assault a child.

A Brisbane basketball coach has been charged with grooming and raping a child over a number of years.

Former Northside Wizards coach Donald Robert McCarron, 67, was arrested and charged on Thursday after police received a report on January 19 of alleged abuse.

Mr McCarron has been granted bail following a brief application at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.

The father of NBL star Mitch McCarron did not appear and was represented by Legal Aid duty lawyer Lana Millar.

Ms Millar said her client intended to make an application for bail, but requested an adjournment to obtain his passport, which the court heard he would need to surrender before he could be released.

Magistrate Ross Mack inquired whether McCarron travelled often, and Ms Millar explained his son resided in New Zealand.

Mr Mack said given his lack of criminal history, McCarron could be released as soon as his passport was handed in.

The court heard McCarron was accused of grooming a female child in the course of his position as a basketball coach. The offending is alleged to have occurred at various locations.

While the prosecution wanted a condition stipulating that McCarron not be allowed to coach children, Ms Millar told the court her client was no longer working.

He was granted bail under conditions he have no contact with the complainant or witnesses, not travel internationally, adhere to an evening curfew, and report to Mango Hill police station on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The matter was adjourned to February 17.

Police will allege McCarron used his position as a basketball coach to groom a child over a number of years.

Detectives from the Gateway Child Protection and Investigation Unit yesterday attended his Mango Hill address and charged him with seven counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of grooming a child under 16.

Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Lunney said police are urging anyone with further information or interactions of a similar nature to come forward.

“There may be someone out there with more information that could assist this investigation, and we encourage you to come forward,” he said.

McCarron’s profile was listed on the Northside Basketball, for the Northside Wizards, last year as “high performance manager”. He was previously a coaching director there.

Northside Basketball CEO Mark Wrobel said the club had been informed of the charges and that the man resigned from his role in the organisation in August.

“On Thursday 30 January 2025, Northside Wizards Basketball was made aware of court

proceedings against a former employee of the club,” Mr Wrobel said.

“The person was employed by Northside Wizards from 2013 to 2024 and during that period

coached numerous teams at the club.

“The charges raised in court on 31 January 2025 have deeply shocked our community. We

take these matters with the utmost seriousness and are fully co-operating with the ongoing

police investigation.

“Northside Wizards is unwavering in its commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive sporting environment for all members.

“To support our community during this difficult time, we have established a dedicated counselling service, available to both past and present members, on 1300 407 340.

“We thank our members for their understanding and support as we navigate this challenging

situation together.”

McCarron started playing basketball in NSW, where he progressed to the level below the National Basketball League with the Newcastle Hunters. He has also previously worked in Alice Springs.

He said at the age of 19 he coached at an Australian Club Championship before moving to other parts of Australia and eventually joining Basketball Queensland.

“I had many great experiences associated with leadership roles within BQ’s state team program, senior & junior competition & the elite pathway associated with Basketball Australia & The Queensland Academy of Sport,” he wrote in his profile.

“Following seven years with the Australian Sports Commission & a small break from basketball, I took a call … urging me to consider accepting an offer to join the Northside Wizards.

“I committed to part time initially … as my passion for the game rekindled, we began to grow & the role became full time.

“I’m extremely proud to have been so heavily involved in the transformation of Wizards & extremely grateful to fellow staff & the countless volunteers who enabled us to establish ourselves among the top basketball organisations in Queensland. Wizards’ footprint is a large one & we welcome the challenges the quickly expanding population will bring.”