SA cheerleading coach stands trial in the District Court accused of sexually abusing seven girls more than 21 times over two years

A female cheerleading coach used her standing and charisma to sexually abuse seven girls, some as young as 12, at sleepovers, pool parties and in the gym, a court has heard.

A charismatic cheerleading coach used her renown as a “pathway” to sexually abuse seven girls – four of whom were just 12 years old – more than 21 times, a court has heard.

On Wednesday, the District Court was told the coach sexually assaulted her victims on couches, at gymnasiums, at pool parties and at “sleepovers” over a two-year period.

Prosecutor Paul Tate said the coach’s offending predated her own 18th birthday, describing her interactions with one of the girls as “abusive, controlling and manipulative”.

He said none of the victims knew the others were also being abused until they attended an event overseas together – without the coach – and realised the scope of the abuse.

“The coach was herself an outstanding athlete and thought of as charismatic, inclusive and friendly,” he said.

“She was looked up to by many of the members of her club, particularly the young athletes, and that formed the basis or pathway for her offending.

“On our case, her touching of the girls, and the comments made, were not standard events or occurrences within the sport of cheerleading.

“Her conduct cannot be chalked up to normal team camaraderie in a sporting environment.”

The coach has denied having repeatedly sexually abused girls in her club. Picture: Stock images

The coach, 25, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child and one aggravated count of indecent assault.

She has also pleaded not guilty to three basic counts of indecent assault, and cannot be named in order to protect the statutory anonymity of her alleged victims.

Opening the trial on Wednesday, Mr Tate said the seven charges encompassed more than 21 sex acts allegedly committed by the coach between 2015 – when she turned 18 – and 2017.

He said many other acts, some of which predated 2015, would be alleged during the trial but were not the subject of charges.

Mr Tate said that, prior to her 18th birthday, the coach had pursued a secret relationship with her first victim but it continued, and became “sexualised”, despite that girl being only 16.

“(At that point) the relationship changed and became more abusive and controlling with arguments and fights between the two,” he said.

“The coach told the girl not to tell anyone about them … she was controlling and manipulative.”

Prosecutors allege some of the coach’s victims were as young as 12. Picture: Stock image

He said that, around the same time, the coach repeatedly sexually assaulted two girls – aged 12 and 14 – who had been assigned to her and the 16-year-old for specialist training.

The 12-year-old, he said, was assaulted “on couches” at the gym, during “sleepovers” at the coach’s home where the two “slept in the same bed”, and via the Snapchat app.

“The coach would drop her towel and expose herself after being in the shower, or quickly flash the girl parts of her naked body,” he said.

Mr Tate said the fourth victim was 12 when the coach “grabbed her breasts” at a pool party, and said that was “not an isolated incident”.

He said the coach also grabbed the breasts of the final three victims – aged 15, 12 and 12 – while making inappropriate and sexual comments about their bodies.

“In 2020, a number of (club members) went (overseas) for a competition and, during that trip, discussions were had,” he said.

“Following their return, the matter was reported to police.”

The trial, before Judge Joana Fuller and in the absence of a jury, continues.

Originally published as SA cheerleading coach stands trial in the District Court accused of sexually abusing seven girls more than 21 times over two years