Melbourne father John Kontonis has confidentially settled a Supreme Court case against the Collingwood Basketball Association after being banned for a year from attending his son’s games and training sessions for alleged “intimidating behaviour” and “verbal abuse” of club officials.
Kontonis launched legal action, arguing the association’s investigation was unfair and biased, and that the ban caused him reputational harm, emotional distress, and exclusion from family and community activities, including supporting his son’s team.
In court documents, Kontonis claimed the complaint stemmed from a disagreement with his son’s coach after he and other parents raised concerns about limited game time.
According to The Herald Sun, Kontonis said the ban was “excessive,” and alleged he was not given adequate details about the accusations or the identities of the witnesses.
The association found the complaint substantiated, but Kontonis argued he was denied due process and that the assistant coach’s husband, whom he formally complained about, faced no consequences.
The case was resolved confidentially just weeks before it was scheduled for hearing. It remains unclear whether the settlement included lifting the ban.
Source: Herald Sun.
