Swans staff give statements to police as kids’ program dumps Heeney
Four Sydney Swans officials have given statements to police investigating allegations of sexual assault related to the Melbourne hotel scandal, which has led to Isaac Heeney being cut by a junior footy clinic business.
Nine.com.au can confirm head coach Dean Cox, football boss Leon Cameron, head of player wellbeing and development Brett Kirk, and head of media and communications Tom Chadwick voluntarily provided accounts to Victoria Police.
Isaac Heeney. AFL Photos
The club declined to comment, citing the police investigation.
According to reports, none of the five players stood down by Sydney for the rest of the season – Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice – have been formally interviewed by police.
At this stage, no charges have been laid.
Heeney was involved with 5th Quarter Camps, working with young Aussie rules players across the country, but a statement on Tuesday night confirmed the Swans superstar would no longer be part of the program.
GWS Giants captain Toby Greene is also part of the program and has worked with Heeney promoting the game.
“5th Quarter Camps is aware of a police investigation involving one of its shareholders, Isaac Heeney,” an Instagram statement read.
“Although the investigation remains ongoing and no charges have been laid, given the circumstances and the seriousness of the matter, we can confirm Isaac Heeney will no longer have any involvement in 5th Quarter Camps.
“We are committed to providing an environment founded on safety and respect and doing everything in our power to ensure the wellbeing and experience of every child and family attending our camps remains at the centre of what we do.
“The business will continue to operate as planned, with all upcoming camps proceeding and our focus firmly remaining on delivering the high-quality experience our young footballers and their families expect from us.
“Given the ongoing investigation, 5th Quarter Camps will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Heeney had already had his brand deals with Nike, Colgate and Telstra paused, while his book deal with publisher Allen & Unwin has been stopped.
The Swans stood down Heeney, Blakey, Warner, Jordon and Bice as they were in “serious breach of expected club behaviour and standards”.
Nine.com.au is not suggesting any of the five players are guilty of sexual assault, only that allegations have been raised.
On Tuesday, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon confirmed none of the five banned Swans players would be invited to this year’s Brownlow Medal night.
