Sydney Flames star Shyla Heal says she was left traumatised after her teammates piled on bullying allegations against her father, leading to his suspension as head coach.
Shane Heal, 52, is suing the Women's National Basketball League club in the Federal Court for unfair dismissal, claiming his and his daughter’s treatment by the club was “disgusting”.
Multiple players have come forward with claims of bullying against the former coach, coinciding with Shyla Heal’s own complaint.
The star guard and Opals basketballer claims the day her father was suspended she was manhandled by Flames strength and conditioning coach Mitch Fuller.
After the team was told the news, she said she had to “clear (her) head and get some shots up” and began training away from the playing group.
Fuller then allegedly rushed up to the player and “acted aggressively”, telling her she had to train with the rest of the team while she was visibly crying.
“It was like he didn’t want anyone nearby to hear but he raised his voice up very close,” Heal told the court on Wednesday.
She said Fuller put his hands on her shoulders and “twisted” her body while she yelled, “get the f*** off me”.
Heal said her complaint had not been taken seriously and did not know what had happened after an external investigation was underway.
“I was going through trauma, it's a bit blurry and I don't remember what I did and didn't do,” she said.
Multiple bullying allegations had been made against her father, the court heard, including him telling players they were selfish and regularly “roasting” them.
Former player Tiana Mangakahia, whose cancer diagnosis forced her to retire last month, said she was regularly singled out by Shane Heal.
The 28-year-old gave evidence that she told Heal: "I just feel I can't do anything right, every time I step it's the wrong way and I'm going to get into trouble."
To which Heal responded: "Well you make the most mistakes on the team" and "You are the reason we are losing".
Mangahakia said it was a running joke in the team that she and Hannah Shervin were regularly "roasted".
During video sessions at training, Heal allegedly played clips of the pair "stuffing up" multiple times as an example for other players.
"I don't mind seeing my bad errors, it was just the continuous pattern that was disrespectful," Mangahakia told the court.
In another incident, Heal allegedly yelled "What the f*** are you doing" to the player multiple times during a game.
Heal denies any wrongdoing and claims the bullying allegations are just a "smokescreen" for the club to get rid of him.
His lawsuit accuses the Flames of breaches of employment law and is seeking penalties and employee entitlements such as accrued leave.
The Flames have previously promised the Federal Court they would not terminate Heal's employment until, at soonest, the final day of the hearing.
The hearing will continue on Thursday.
