Man launches legal fight over alleged abuse by Blackburn North Baptist Cricket Club coach

A Melbourne man has revealed how a former cricket coach he looked up to and “adored” allegedly sexually abused him as a child at a Blackburn North cricket club.

A Melbourne man has spoken of his horrifying ordeal after he was allegedly sexually abused by his former cricket coach at 12 years old.

The man, who asked not to be named, claimed he was abused for two years by his under 14s cricket coach at Blackburn North Baptist Cricket Club.

The cricket club was associated with Blackburn North Baptist Church, now known as Newhope Baptist Church.

The man told the Herald Sun the coach allegedly groomed him before the abuse started in 1982.

“He awarded me lots of little trophies and ‘man of the match’ awards,” he said.

“At the time I wasn’t the best player. I adored this man and looked up to him.

“He took advantage of my trust in him in order to sexually abuse me.”

The man said he was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, suffering from flashbacks and panic attacks decades later.

“I was unwell in year 12 and had my first psychotic episode at 18 years old,” he said.

“My mental health declined, I spent several months in a psychiatric facility, was hospitalised again over a decade ago and have received treatment at various mental health clinics.

“I only told my mum after seeing my doctor. Six years of not saying anything affected my schooling and my behaviour at home.”

The Melbourne man says the alleged abuse started when he was 12 years old.

The man, who reported the matter to police, said the alleged abuse “ruined everything” for him.

“I haven’t had a partner for years,” he said.

“It’s hard having mental health issues. I haven’t really got any friends.

“My poor mental health stems from the abuse.”

The cricket club was part of the East Suburban District and Churches Cricket Association before it merged with the Eastern Suburbs Cricket Association in 1999.

It’s understood the club was run independently by a group of church and non-church members.

Slater and Gordon Victoria abuse associate lawyer Joshua Bradhurst urged former board members, coaches and players to come forward with information.

“We are investigating the church’s involvement in the club and the level of control they had over the club, its structure and its members,” he said.

“We are seeking information about who appointed coaches and volunteers and the inner workings of the club.

“Coming forward with any information would assist the claim to progress and potentially provide a sense of closure for the man who was allegedly abused.”

The cricket club was run by Blackburn North Baptist Church, now known as Newhope Baptist Church.

Mr Bradhurst said parents trusted the cricket club due to the church’s involvement.

“We believe the club and church were responsible for what happened,” he said.

“From what we understand, parents trusted the church and entrusted their children at the club

and would sign them up to play cricket at the club, specifically due to the church’s involvement in the club.

“This man has been deeply affected by the abuse he experienced at such a young

age and hopes that bringing a claim will allow him to receive closure.

“Having the church acknowledge and take responsibility for the abuse and how it affected his life would be life changing.”

A Newhope Baptist Church spokesman declined to comment on the allegations.

“We carry deep compassion towards survivors of sexual assault,” he said.

“We commend survivors for their courage in coming forward and acknowledge the profound impact that abuse by a trusted leader can have on a survivor.

“Our utmost consideration is to protect a survivor’s privacy and their autonomy in making disclosures.

“We therefore cannot make any comments regarding any allegations. However, we can reiterate that we take any such allegations very seriously.

“Were such an allegation to be made, it would be thoroughly investigated.”