Former Sydney Swans Coach Accused of Sexually Grooming Junior Player

In a shocking development, the Sydney Swans are embroiled in a multimillion-dollar legal battle over the sexual grooming of a junior player by a former development coach. According to court documents, the victim's father lodged proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court last month, alleging the club failed to protect his son from the convicted offender, Mark Heaney.

Heaney, who coached at the Swans' Junior Academy between 2011 and 2013, is accused of a range of inappropriate behaviors, including "pressing his penis against the boy when teaching him how to hold a football, stripping naked in front of him, watching him while he was showering, sending explicit photos and instigating sexualized conversations." In 2014, Heaney was jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to grooming a child using a carriage service.

The victim's father claims the incident has had a devastating impact on his family, leading to ongoing trauma, mental health issues, and strained relationships. "It has been a hard road for me and my son since the [grooming]," he told reporters. "I'm angry nobody from the Swans or the AFL ever had the decency to contact us and apologize or take responsibility or offer counseling."

The victim himself says the ordeal "shattered" his dream of playing in the AFL. "I was just a kid chasing a dream, and that dream was shattered," he said. "This case is about accountability ... and making sure no other child carries this kind of silence."

The Swans have confirmed Heaney's employment but declined further comment while the matter is before the court. The cases are set to return to court in August.