Tennis Australia Faces Criticism Over Lack Of Action After Abuse

Tennis Australia "has been criticised for not adequately responding to last year's royal commission hearing into the alleged sexual abuse of young tennis players by a coach," according to Mary Gearin of ABC. The family of one alleged victim said that the sport's governing body "has not been proactive enough in protecting young players." The mother of a former player, known only as BXJ, who claims she was abused by her coach, said, "I guess they are acting out as instructed." The royal commission investigated the case of 15-year-old BXJ, who "alleged inappropriate remarks and conduct" by New South Wales state junior coach Noel Callaghan. It found Tennis NSW "completely disregarded BXJ's welfare and abrogated its duty towards her." In response to the commission's findings, Tennis Australia, which had no control over the investigation into the abuse case, "has unreservedly apologised to the people involved, and undertaken a review of its child and whistle-blower protection policies" (ABC, 2/2).