Hockey NSW to investigate claims of misbehaviour among players and staff

Hockey NSW has responded to angry parent feedback and will probe allegations of shocking behaviour by both staff and players representing the state at the U18 Australian Championships.

Hockey NSW will launch an investigation into bullying at the U/18 Australian titles.

Hockey NSW is to launch an investigation into claims of bullying and drunken behaviour among coaching staff in elite junior representative teams.

The Sunday Telegraph ­recently exposed allegations of shocking behaviour among several players and staff in the NSW under-18 team at the ­recent Australian titles, which forced administrators to ­introduce respectful behaviour programs.

The board of NSW Hockey has since called for a full investigation into the Australian ­titles as a result of angry parent feedback since the story was published.

Hockey NSW will launch an investigation into bullying at the U/18 Australian titles.

New claims in a letter from concerned parents to the chair of NSW Hockey, Adriana Care, has been passed on to The Sunday Telegraph.

Allegations to be investigated from next week include:

- THE abuse of a team manager and players who were reduced to tears;

- ONE player had a panic attack after being bullied but an ­official would not allow other girls to comfort her;

- ONE member of the coaching staff was drinking in camp and often seen walking around the team accommodation with a wine bottle in his hand.

David Thompson - CEO of Hockey NSW. Picture: AAP IMAGE/Carmela Roche

“One evening he was drunk and filmed by players trying to get into their room,” according to the letter;

- PLAYERS were forced to change hotel rooms to stop bickering: “They were expec­ted to sleep in another player’s dirty sheets and use their dirty towels. Completely unacceptable.”

The letter reveals anger among the parents towards Hockey NSW CEO David Thompson.

Thompson tried to play it down when contacted two weeks ago: “I think it’s girls being girls, kids being kids.”

Thompson has since been gagged by Hockey NSW.

A statement from Hockey NSW said the review would ­invite players, coaches and ­officials to participate on a ­voluntary and confidential basis. It is expected to take 12 weeks to complete.