Sandringham Sabres basketball coach and teacher Hamish Ryan investigated by police

A Brighton Grammar School teacher and Sandringham basketball coach is being investigated by Victoria Police following an alleged incident at the sporting club.

Sandringham Sabres under 16s coach and Brighton Grammar School teacher Hamish Ryan is under investigation by Victoria Police. Picture: Supplied

A junior basketball coach and school teacher at an elite private school is being investigated by Victoria Police following an alleged incident at the sporting club.

The Herald Sun can reveal Sandringham Sabres under 16s and women’s coach Hamish Ryan has been replaced by an interim coach after the club received a complaint about his conduct.

It’s the second scandal within days to rock Victoria’s basketball community following allegations about Keilor Thunder Basketball Club’s coach Liam Glascott, 35, who is expected to be charged on summons.

Mr Ryan, 32, who also teaches English and coaches basketball at Brighton Grammar School, is being investigated by Bayside Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said detectives were investigating a report of a sexual assault in Sandringham.

“A 19-year-old woman reported being sexually assaulted by a man known to her on August 9 2024,” she said.

Investigations into the incident remain ongoing.

Mr Ryan has been coaching the under-16 girls. Picture: Supplied

It is unknown if Mr Ryan was stood down by the Sabres or left on his own accord.

But in an email sent by the Sabres to families on August 14, the club said it had experienced a “difficult process”.

“We wanted to appoint someone in the club that knows the girls and can slide in there as smoothly as possible,” the club said.

The club said there was an interim head coach for the girls’ team moving forward.

They added: “Everything Hamish has done and prepared with the girls will stay the same. We want to make it an easy and smooth transition for everyone.”

While Brighton Grammar refused to comment on the matter, the school sent a letter to families on Tuesday afternoon after receiving questions from the Herald Sun, revealing Mr Ryan had “agreed to take leave pending a further external investigation”.

Multiple sources involved with the Sabres have told the Herald Sun they were “angered” by the club’s handling of the victim’s complaint, saying it failed to immediately contact police despite the serious allegations.

“Instead, a HR-type organisation came in to investigate before police. They found most of the allegations were substantiated,” the source said.

“It’s just so extraordinary that police were not notified in the first instance, especially in this day and age.”

Mr Hamish also teaches at Brighton Grammar School. Picture: Supplied

But in a statement from the Southern Basketball Association, it said the allegations involving Mr Ryan were investigated by an external investigation firm.

“The complaint was found unsubstantiated and the parties were informed of this finding. SBA understands the matter has now been submitted to the police,” the statement said.

“Given this development SBA is not able to comment further.”

Another source said they were concerned about the “toxic culture” and leadership at the club.

“This should never have happened, there needs to be more safeguards in place for victims,” they said.

“This isn’t the first mishap at the club.”

Mr Ryan has previously coached women and girls at the Blackburn Vikings between 2016 and 2019, before moving to Sandringham Sabres in October 2022.

A Basketball Victoria (BV) spokeswoman said the organisation was aware of an incident involving Mr Ryan at the Sandringham Sabres.

“(Basketball Victoria) understands that Sandringham is co-operating with Victoria Police in relation to the matter,” she said.

“As the matter is currently being dealt with by Victoria Police, BV will not make any further comment until their investigation has been concluded.”

Mr Ryan was also a member of the Hawthorn Basketball Association between 2004 and 2017, where he had multiple roles including referee development officer and stadium supervisor, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Meanwhile, Mr Ryan coordinates Year 10 English at Brighton Grammar School and also teaches English and Humanities. He also coaches the basketball team at the school.

The Herald Sun has attempted to contact Mr Ryan for comment.

Sandringham Sabres has also been contacted for comment.