To our Eltham Wildcats Basketball Community:

Over the past week, our Club has experienced one of the most difficult periods in its history. We know many of our members are feeling shocked, disappointed and concerned.  As a Committee, we share those feelings.

Firstly, the Eltham Wildcats Executive Committee apologises for any confusion that may have resulted from our initial communication, including social media posts.

To be absolutely clear:  we strongly encourage anyone with concerns relating to child safety, child welfare or inappropriate behaviour to raise those concerns and to speak to the appropriate authorities.  The safety and wellbeing of every child, participant and member of our basketball community will always be our highest priority.

We are also taking additional steps.

The Eltham Wildcats Executive Committee has decided to appoint an independent external workplace expert, in conjunction with Basketball Victoria and the Social Services regulator, to review the Club’s people management procedures and Child Safety practices, to identify any gaps and strengthen existing safeguards against a recurrence of these events. The review’s findings will be shared with our members and made public as soon as possible.

We also wish to advise that President Peter Meehan has voluntarily stepped down from the role of President while this review process is being undertaken.  As Vice President, I will assume the role of Interim President during this period.  I have been a member of the Eltham Wildcats Executive Committee since 2022, and involved with the Club as a parent since 2010.  Our Executive Committee and General Committee are all volunteers.  Many of us are also parents of players, coaches or long-standing members of the Club.

We unequivocally condemn any criminal behaviour and any conduct that places children or members of our community at risk.

As Interim President, and on behalf of the Eltham Wildcats Executive Committee and General Committee, I want to assure our members that we have initiated and will fully support and cooperate with an independent external review and will uphold the outcomes and recommendations arising from that process. We are committed to being as transparent as we can throughout this process.

We understand that trust has been shaken. Rebuilding that trust will take time, transparency and action.  That is our commitment to every member of the Eltham Wildcats community.

Thank you for your patience, your support, and your ongoing commitment to our Club during this difficult time.

Carrie Davies
Interim President
On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Eltham Wildcats Basketball Club