Robert Wood appeals jail sentence for breaching reporting obligations

A southwest Sydney hockey club has refuted claims a Gymea man coached players while he waits to appeal his jail sentence.

Robert Wood was refused bail while he waits to appeal his jail sentence for breaching his reporting obligations. File picture

A southwest Sydney hockey club has labelled a Gymea man as “manipulative and secretive” and refuted claims it did not ask him for a working with children check when he offered to coach junior teams.

The firm rebuke came as former PE teacher Robert Wood was denied bail as he awaits to appeal a 20-month jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to five counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations.

The 63-year-old was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court last month to a 12-month non-parole period.

Wood was placed on the child protection offender register for eight years in 2021 for using a carriage service to procure a child under 16 years for sexual activity.

However, six months after signing up to play for Bankstown Hockey Club – self-dubbed “the family club” – he began coaching junior teams, court documents state – the latter he failed to report to police and was prohibited as per his register conditions.

Robert Wood remains behind bars ahead of his sentence appeal.

Club treasurer Paul Bryant said Wood was not permitted to coach – after he offered in May 2022 – because he was unable to provide a working with children check.

“We are extremely diligent with working with children checks and we understand the implications,” Mr Bryant said.

“Every volunteer is required to provide a working with children check.

“Wood was manipulative and secretive and once exposed was dealt with accordingly.”

Mr Bryant described the club’s behaviour was “exemplary” and the incident was “distressing” for the club.

The club treasurer said Wood asked to train players over the Christmas break and into February, however, parents raised concerns about being uncomfortable with the practice.

Mr Bryant said he contacted police the next day and reported the details to a Sutherland detective and the club immediately suspended Wood.

Hockey NSW general manager of business development Richard Griffiths said the organisation had a “zero tolerance of risk to children and all child safeguarding concerns are taken very seriously”.

“Hockey NSW has undertaken an investigation of Mr Wood‘s conduct, however, was awaiting the outcome of the court hearing,” he said.

“Accordingly, an appropriate sanction endorsed by Hockey Australia will be issued to Mr Wood.

“We are not able to speak on behalf of the Bankstown Hockey Club, however, we have been in dialogue with the club regarding its responsibilities and appropriate measures are in place.”

Court documents state Bankstown Hockey Club did not initially ask Wood for a working with children check, however, when one was finally requested he was unable to provide one given he was on the register.

Robert Wood was refused bail on Tuesday.

Wood was told to stop coaching and was arrested. There was no evidence of any sexual contact with children.

The court also heard parents had informed the club that children had been asked to participate in private hockey coaching sessions at his Gymea home.

Police also found Snapchat downloaded on his phone along with a username for Snapchat and Grindr, which Wood did not disclose to officers.

During his bail application, Wood’s barrister Michael Ainsworth said the severity of the sentence would be the focus of an appeal and a District Court judge could impose a jail sentence to be served in the community.

Mr Ainsworth noted Wood had not breached his bail or registry conditions after he was charged and awaiting sentence.

The barrister stated Wood could had significant mental health concerns which had not been properly medicated while in custody and that if released he could reside at his home in Gymea and abide by a curfew.

Magistrate Holly Kemp denied the application, describing Wood’s offending as “sinister, ongoing and prolonged” due to his “active steps to seek out contact with children”.

The appeal will be heard in Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on October 3.