UPDATE: Australian basketball great Shane Heal has hit back at allegations he bullied players in his WNBL team.
Heal has been stood down from his duties as head coach of the Sydney Flames for the past month, with no reason previously made public.
Adding to the intrigue was his daughter, Shyla, suddenly quitting the Flames to join Townsville Fire a fortnight ago.
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The details surrounding Heal’s surprise absence had been kept a mystery, until now.
The Flames on Tuesday confirmed in a statement that “multiple Sydney Flames players separately approached club officials with allegations of bullying” early in January.
The club suspended Heal while an investigation took place, and the former NBA, NBL and Australian Boomers star has since filed an injunction in the federal court against the Flames.
Heal’s case will next appear in court on Wednesday.
“What sits at the heart of this matter is player safety and welfare,” the Flames said.
“That is our sole concern at this time, and we will always maintain focus on that.
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“The Sydney Flames see no merit in Mr Heal’s current legal manoeuvrings and will defend Mr Heal’s court proceedings vigorously and to its full extent.”
But following the Flames’ statement being made public on Tuesday, Heal issued his own take on the matter.
“I am disappointed that they made the statement without any consultation or notice, particularly when there are court proceedings on foot,” the Sydney Kings legend said.
“Of concern, the statement is inaccurate and incomplete in a number of respects. In these circumstances, I have no choice but to briefly respond.
“(Since March 2021) I have worked closely with the team, coaching staff and management without any issues or concerns being raised.
“During late 2022, I raised various concerns affecting my ability to coach the team. I then raised concern on January 7 2023 about the manner in which I had been treated by a senior member of Sydney Flames management. Soon after, I was suspended.
“At a later stage, I was provided with, in my view, broadly stated and general allegations. While I cannot, at this stage, go into the nature of the allegations and the investigation which was undertaken, I wish to make clear that I have raised concerns about the nature of the allegations; the motivation of raising them as at January 20 2023; and fundamental deficiencies in the investigation process which was undertaken. I have also provided a detailed response.
“I deny that I have at any stage acted in a manner to risk the health and safety of any person or player. To the contrary, I have sought to safeguard the wellbeing and interests of players, and support them. I have not been informed by Sydney Flames (or any other organisation) of the identity of any persons who may have raised concerns.
“I do not accept the accusation by the Sydney Flames that I am engaging in litigation for some improper purpose. The present litigation is my attempt to defend my rights and entitlements, and also pursue the concerns which I have about the investigation process; allegations raised; and reliance by Sydney Flames on these allegations.
“I take pride in my role and respect each and every player. I also respect my coaching staff who have worked tirelessly alongside me and continue to do a fantastic job.”
The Flames say a number of players have also spoken to the Australian Basketball Players’ Association and have been offered counselling.
Heal, now 52 years old, went undrafted in the 1992 NBA draft but subsequently played two separate stints in America’s top league – with the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs.
He had a fruitful career in Australia and was the 1988 NBL rookie of the year, and won the Gaze Medal twice.
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