Sydney tennis coach barred over child grooming allegations

A Sydney tennis coach who allegedly groomed and sexually harassed a child and committed sexual misconduct against a staff member was able to continue coaching for two years after the complaints were made to Tennis Australia.

Brenton Dumbrell, who owns and coaches at Inspire Tennis, has been suspended from coaching activities until October 2027 following incidents alleged to have occurred at Killara Lawn Tennis Club. Dumbrell responded to questions via his lawyer, who said the matters “remain contested”.

There is no suggestion that Dumbrell has committed any criminal offence. He is not facing any police investigation or charges.

His Working with Children Check (WWCC) has been under review since the allegations were first reported to Tennis Australia in 2023. Tennis Australia convened an independent tribunal, which began hearings in December 2024, with a decision reached in August this year and sanctions implemented this month.

While he had restrictions placed on him at Killara Lawn Tennis Club, limiting the times he could attend, other clubs he worked at were not informed of the allegations during the investigation.

The 37-year-old, who lists himself as an “investor” and “entrepreneur” online, is the second Inspire Tennis staff member to face allegations involving minors this year. A second Inspire Tennis club employee, Liam Shearer-Hawkins, is also under investigation after the Children’s Guardian temporarily barred his WWCC.

Inspire Tennis runs coaching programs for toddlers and up, and operates kids’ parties. It has venues in Killara, Terrey Hills, St Ives, Turramurra and North Turramurra, Linfield, Gordon Park, Pymble and Wahroonga. It is owned by Twinley Group, of which Dumbrell is the director and secretary.

Dumbrell’s contract with the club was signed in 2018. The current board was appointed in 2024.

A notice from Tennis Australia sent to club members on Tuesday evening alleged that Dumbrell had committed “numerous and significant breaches” of the organisation’s national policies between 2016 and 2023.

The notice claimed he “abused the power imbalance” between himself and a minor at the club, engaging in conduct that “amounted to grooming, harassment (including sexual harassment) and non-adherence to professional boundaries”.

He also allegedly engaged in conduct that amounted to “harassment, including sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, abuse of power and emotional/psychological abuse” toward an Inspire Tennis female employee at the club.

His ban will be extended from two to four years unless he completes counselling, child safeguarding, and sexual harassment training and has his WWCC reinstated.

Tennis Australia also raised concerns about the club culture, which “through either inadvertence or otherwise, permitted the conduct of Dumbrell to occur”.

In a message to members, club president Tony Nguyen acknowledged the matter had been “of deep concern to those members who have been aware of it”.

“On behalf of the club, I wish to express our sincere regret for the distress experienced by the complainants and their families. We acknowledge the courage it has taken for them to come forward and endure this process,” he wrote.

“The Board and Committee of Killara Lawn Tennis Club fully support Tennis Australia’s decision and will cooperate in ensuring that the sanctions are observed … We will work closely with Tennis Australia’s Integrity Team to undertake a comprehensive culture review and to strengthen our club’s policies, processes and training for safeguarding children and preventing harassment in all its forms.”

Dumbrell has been banned from the club, and Inspire Tennis will cease operating there after the school term ends in December.

Tennis Australia lists coaches under investigation on its public Coach Safeguarding Register as part of its “commitment to safeguarding children”. Dumbrell’s name did not appear on the register until this week, after the Herald approached Tennis Australia.

Shearer-Hawkins had a two-year Apprehended Violence Order placed against him for a woman’s protection in February. In March, the Inspire Tennis coach was listed on the register as being under investigation by Tennis Australia after his WWCC was temporarily barred by the Office of the Children’s Guardian.

However, references to Shearer-Hawkins’ Working With Children’s Check were removed this week. Instead, he is listed as having “screening requirement” issues.

A spokesperson for Tennis Australia said they were unable to comment on individual matters, but said complainants received ongoing support, guidance on reporting options, and free access to independent and specialist welfare and counselling services.

“We take all complaints very seriously and appropriate risk mitigations are implemented throughout investigations to protect complainants and tennis participants,” the spokesperson said.

“We have robust child safety measures in place, including mandatory Working With Children Checks, safeguarding training, and a dedicated integrity and compliance team. We are committed to strengthening child safeguarding across all levels of the sport to ensure children and young people feel safe, respected and supported.”

National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732); Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800; Lifeline 131 114; Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.

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