Dark side of girls' netball: Parents' fury over coach Darren Adam Abela's arrest on vile child sex charges - as player reveals 'frightening' years with another coach

By PAUL SHAPIRO, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 15:11, 14 June 2026 | Updated: 15:11, 14 June 2026 'Furious' barely covers how parents are feeling after we revealed former girls' netball coach Darren Adam Abela had been accused of serious sex crimes against children. Abela, 50, who coached the Westside Saints for almost three decades, last month fronted Melbourne Magistrates' Court charged with 19 child sex offences. He allegedly committed multiple offences of indecent acts against a child in Melbourne's west more than a decade ago. Abela was also charged with multiple offences of sexually penetrating a child over 10 but under the age of 16, which allegedly occurred in another western suburb. One parent whose child played for the Saints spoke of his anger at the St Albans Caroline Springs Netball Association (SACSNA), in which the Westside Saints are the representative team, for not addressing the charges against Abela. The only club to publicly acknowledge the charges is the Bloods, for whom Abela coached briefly before his tenure ended abruptly last year. Netball Victoria's response to the confronting allegations is also unlikely to inspire much confidence among parents whose daughters play the sport.  When we contacted them seeking a response to the Abela charges, a spokesperson said: 'We are unable to comment on police matters while they are before the courts. Darren Adam Abela was briefly appointed coach of the Melton Bloods netball team, but stopped coaching in early 2025. Last month, he fronted Melbourne Magistrates' Court charged with 19 child sex offences 'We understand that these matters are distressing to members of the netball community who are impacted and continue to offer them our fullest support.  'Once these matters are finalised, Netball Victoria will complete its own reviews as part of ongoing work to ensure that our safety policies and procedures are appropriate and being stringently applied across all competitions.' We further asked Netball Victoria about any measures or reviews the organisation had undertaken since the allegations became public; if they believed children were safe playing netball in Victoria; and if child-safety issues were widespread after many parents of young netballers expressed their concerns on social media.  'The safety and welfare of everyone involved in our sport is Netball Victoria's highest priority,' the spokesperson responded.  'We have strict policies and procedures in place to help protect participants and which we expect our affiliate competitions and clubs to rigorously follow.  'Where there are allegations of serious offences by participants or spectators, the person is immediately stood down or banned from attending matches while the matter is investigated.'  Meanwhile, a netballer, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Daily Mail that our coverage inspired her to share her own story about a coach. The source claimed she and several other girls had reported a different coach - who is not Abela and has not been charged with any offence - to Netball Victoria over allegations of mistreatment. 'Furious' barely covers how parents are feeling after we revealed former girls' netball coach Darren Adam Abela had been accused of serious sex crimes against children  This whistleblower said the coach 'left us feeling frightened, controlled, confused and unsafe'.  'When I was 14, I experienced behaviours from my netball coach that I later came to understand as emotional manipulation, and I was not the only young person affected,' they said.  'We felt pressured to share deeply personal information, experienced verbal mistreatment, and were often left feeling responsible for the emotional wellbeing of adults who held authority over us.' The netballer went on to claim that she reported this coach to the sport's state body in January 2024, after which more girls came forward. Following these complaints, the source alleges the coach received a lifetime ban, which 'brought an enormous sense of relief'. However, they said the ban was downgraded to 10 years after a tribunal process. The netballer alleged that she and others were subjected to cross-examination during that review, describing it as 'some of the most distressing experiences of my life'. They told the Mail that 'one of the hardest parts to accept' was knowing the coach would eventually be allowed to return to 'sporting spaces where many of us still play'. The Saints had given Abela a touching Facebook tribute when he exited the club in 2021 - but that post was deleted after the accusations were broken by the Daily Mail. We do not suggest anyone at the Saints had knowledge of Abela's alleged offending before the charges against him were made public.  At the time of publication, the club and the SACSNA have yet to formally comment on the allegations.  The Daily Mail contacted both the Saints and the SACSNA for comment regarding Abela, and neither could be reached.  After leaving the Saints, Abela was appointed a coach of the Bloods netball team at the Melton Football Netball Club, but was suddenly replaced just weeks before the 2025 season commenced in May. Melton FNC posted its response to the Abela charges more than a week after the Mail received no response to questions put forward regarding the former coach.  The club explained on Facebook that Abela became 'uncontactable' in February 2025. About a month later, Netball Victoria advised Melton FNC that it had learned Abela was under investigation and not permitted to coach. 'Our club is aware of the recent media reports concerning a former coach and the serious allegations that have been reported,' the club stated in its June 7 post. 'We understand this news is deeply concerning for our players, families, volunteers and broader community. The safety, wellbeing and protection of all participants - especially our young people - remains our highest priority.' The club also outlined the process of how Abela was able to join its ranks. It claimed Abela presented a 'highly experienced' résumé and was 'well-regarded by some of our players through previous representative netball connections'. The netball department recommended the appointment, the statement said, and Abela was hired in mid-October 2024 as match-day coach. The club stated that Abela only had contact with players during two trial sessions at MacPherson Park held in January last year.   'No complaints were received regarding his conduct, and committee members present noted the sessions were conducted professionally,' it said. A netballer, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Daily Mail that our coverage inspired her to share her own story about a coach who 'left us feeling frightened, controlled... and unsafe' After learning of the investigation into Abela, Melton FNC 'immediately distanced itself', the post stated, 'and continued its efforts to field teams under challenging circumstances'. 'The individual referenced in recent media reports [Abela] has not coached or been involved with the club since early 2025,' added the club. 'We are aware that recent reporting has not included this context and does not accurately reflect the club's direct experience or actions.' Abela, of Hopetoun Park, near Bacchus Marsh in the state's west, had his bail extended and will next appear in court on July 10. The court previously heard that ongoing discussions between Abela's counsel and the Office of Public Prosecutions were 'going well' as the parties worked to reach a resolution.  Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.