Mark Philippoussis defends post-match confrontation with junior coach

·

Mark Philippoussis has defended confronting an opposition coach after an under-12s basketball match on the Surf Coast, insisting he was acting to protect players and teenage referees.

The former tennis star told the Herald Sun he approached the coach on Monday night over his behaviour.

“I said you have a responsibility as a coach and as a parent. Our kids play on the same rep team and I was just a dad protecting the kids. I was bewildered as a parent that he didn’t know better. The referees were teenagers and doing their best,” Philippoussis said.

Former Geelong captain Cameron Ling, whose son also played, intervened to defuse the situation, telling Philippoussis “it’s not worth it.”

Ling later stressed: “I hope there’s no suggestion of aggression. It was a post-match discussion and I just thought it had gone on long enough and steered them away.”

Philippoussis admitted he should have raised the issue in private but emphasised there was “no swearing, no yelling” and that his priority was ensuring “kids compete in a safe environment.”

The match ended in a one-point margin. Both clubs have been contacted for comment, with one team president saying he was unaware of the incident.

Source: Herald Sun.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Young filmmakers shine at inaugural Greek Film Festival of Sydney competition

The next generation of Greek Australian storytellers took centre stage as the 1st Greek Australian Youth Filmmaking Competition debuted.

Eugenia Mitrakas wins Australasian Lawyer Elite Women 2025 award

Eugenia Mitrakas, principal of EMR Mitrakas, has been recognised as a winner of the prestigious Australasian Lawyer Elite Women 2025 award.

Ten years of kefi: Oakleigh Glendi 2025 promises biggest celebration yet

The much-loved Oakleigh Glendi Festival returns to Warrawee Park on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November 2025.

Leadership change at The Hellenic Initiative Australia as Nicholas Pappas AM steps down

Nicholas Pappas AM steps down after 12 years as President of The Hellenic Initiative Australia. Read more here.

Pharos, Loverdos and Greek delegation unite to secure the future of Greek in Australia

A meeting with Pharos Alliance representatives was top of mind for Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Loverdos on Friday.

You May Also Like

Australian official visits Lemnos to review progress on ANZAC Remembrance Trail

Lachlan Scully, the Second Secretary of the Australian Embassy, visited the Greek island of Lemnos to see the "Australian Remembrance Trail."

#KeepItGreek with a children’s book to keep your kids in touch with the Greek language

During these days of incarceration, The Greek Herald wants to make sure you keep in touch with the Greek language and #KeepItGreek.

Alexis Tsipras congratulates North Macedonia’s Zoran Zaev on election victory

Alexis Tsipras congratulated North Macedonia’s Zoran Zaev for his electoral win yesterday, describing it as a “message of brave progressive forces” against nationalism.