Suspended basketball coach Shane Heal's lawsuit against the Sydney Flames over bullying claims is expected to include evidence that his daughter was manhandled by a team staff member.
Heal, 52, was suspended as Flames head coach in January while an internal investigation into multiple bullying complaints was conducted.
Heal's Federal Court lawsuit accuses the Flames of breaches of employment law, and is seeking penalties and employee entitlements such as accrued leave.
The former Australian basketballer and Olympian denies any wrongdoing.
A hearing on Friday was told Heal was given notice of complaints in January before a show cause letter was issued to him in February, with that process put on hold by the lawsuit.
Heal's legal team would argue the Women's National Basketball League club sought to "construct a narrative" of claims that were not real while the respondent would contend "that case is not made out", the court was told.
In opening argument, Heal's counsel Glenn Fredericks said there would be evidence of a complaint made by his client's daughter Shyla Heal - a former Flames player - being "harassed" when she was "manhandled" by a member of the team's coaching staff.
The complaint related to the staff member's hands being put on Ms Heal's shoulders in an attempt to get her to warm up with the team, the court heard.
Mr Fredericks said the allegation was relevant as it "disappeared into the ether" showing when a complaint did not suit the Flames the team took things "fairly easy".
"When it suits them (they) can act quickly," the barrister said.
He said after signing a three-year contract in March 2021, Heal thought things were going smoothly until he complained about not having input on the team's schedule of a "string of away games".
Among key witnesses for the applicant would be former Flames assistant coach Shelley Gorman, Flames assistant coach William Granger and Heal's agent David Wolf.
Respondent witnesses would include Flames majority owner Paul Smith, president Victoria Denholm, communications manger Julian O'Brien and a former Flames player.
Heal is expected to give evidence later on Friday.
The hearing continues before Justice John Halley.
