Shane Heal to battle bullying claims in court showdown

An Australian basketball legend will head to court as he battles bullying claims and tries to prevent the termination of his coaching contract.

Australian basketball great Shane Heal will appear before a court on Friday as he battles bullying allegations and attempts to stop the Sydney Flames from terminating his coaching contract.

Mr Heal is suing the WNBL club in the Federal Court, seeking penalties and orders preventing his termination, with the matter to be decided at a trial that will begin on Friday.

The club has said that it launched an investigation earlier this year after players approached management with bullying complaints.

The Flames suspended Mr Heal while it commissioned an independent investigation into the allegations, while his daughter and star player Shyla left the club to join the rival Townsville Fire.

Shane Heal is suing the Sydney Flames in the Federal Court. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Mr Heal was not in the Federal Court on Monday as his lawyers sought access via subpoena to emails between Flames owner Paul Smith and a law firm that was hired to conduct the investigation.

The Flames attempted to block some of the material being provided to Mr Heal’s legal team, arguing that it fell under legal professional privilege.

Under legal professional privilege, communications between a solicitor and a client are protected as confidential.

Mr Heal’s barrister Glenn Fredericks argued that the material pertained to the investigation and did not amount to legal advice.

Justice John Halley allowed Mr Heal’s access to some of the subpoenaed material and denied others.

The Sydney Flames have today issued a public statement in relation to the matters at hand involving Shane Heal.

You can read the statement in full here 🔗https://t.co/uTO3IAHhv2pic.twitter.com/bgHvuBa68P

— Sydney Flames (@TheSydneyFlames) February 14, 2023

It’s almost time. I hope the court is full of reporters ready to hear the facts and report on them so everyone finally hears and knows the truth. 💯👀

— Shane Heal (@ShaneHeal) June 15, 2023

The matter will now be decided during a five-day trial.

The club has said that “multiple Sydney Flames players separately approached club officials with allegations of bullying” and it provided counselling and support to players via the Australian Basketball Players Association.

Mr Heal has denied any wrongdoing, saying in a statement earlier in the year: “I deny that I have at any stage acted in a manner to risk the health and safety of any person or player.”

Mr Heal has also raised questions about the nature and timing of the allegations and what he described as deficiencies in the investigation.

Mr Heal has been absent from the Sydney Flames since January. Photo: James Worsfold/Getty Images.

Mr Heal was granted an injunction from being sacked while the legal process was ongoing.

Mediation in February failed to resolve the matter and he has been absent from the club since January.

The club issued Mr Heal with a show cause notice in February.

In his lawsuit, Mr Heal is seeking orders blocking the club from sacking him as well as financial penalties.