Athlete Files $4 Million Lawsuit Against Club for Alleged Abuse During Training Session
If successful, the lawsuit will have broader implications for sporting organizations that frequently subject athletes to rigorous training regimens.
A National Rugby League (NRL) player has filed a $4 million lawsuit against his former club, citing “psychiatric injury, deprivation of liberty, [and] humiliation” stemming from a punishment received during training.
In the attached statement of claim, 22-year-old Jackson Topine alleges that Canterbury Bulldogs’ team trainer Travis Touma forced him to wrestle 30 to 35 teammates as a penalty for being 10 minutes late to practice.
Mr. Topine claims that this incident has left him with a lasting inability to play, preventing him from pursuing a career as a professional player. He was released by the Bulldogs in November 2023 and has not played in the NRL since July 2023, just three days before the alleged wrestling incident.
While wrestling is a standard part of NRL training, Mr. Topine alleges that Mr. Touma singled him out for an unscheduled session, during which he was psychologically harmed by taunts and physically exhausted.
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Teammates reportedly tried to aid Mr. Topine but were instructed by Mr. Touma to continue the wrestling without assistance, adding to Mr. Topine’s distress.
Mr. Topine also asserts that he sustained physical injuries from the wrestling, which the lawsuit labels as “unlawful corporal punishment.”
The claim is for $4 million, representing potential lost earnings calculated based on a $400,000 annual salary over the next decade, the standard expected career length for players.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Tyran Smith, Mr. Topine’s agent, informed all NRL clubs of his client’s free agent status three weeks prior to initiating legal proceedings against the Bulldogs.
A Potential Precedent?
If the lawsuit is successful, it could set a precedent for players taking legal action in similar situations, which could concern other NRL clubs and professional sports franchises.
While trainers are responsible for ensuring athletes’ safety during training, failure to uphold a proper duty of care can lead to litigation, a common occurrence in sports environments.
Similarly, UCLA football players collectively filed a $15 million lawsuit against their school in 2019, claiming that severe injuries were exacerbated due to the negligent behavior of former coaches and trainers.
Training Intensity: Former NRL Player’s Perspective
An anonymous ex-NRL player from the early 2000s shared with The Epoch Times that challenging training regimens were customary in the sport.
“This individual, Mr. Topine, appears to be upset about what he perceives as targeted treatment by the trainer. It was not uncommon during my time to face some criticism if you misbehaved or were late for training,” he said.
“As a professional, you are expected to act accordingly, including being punctual to training. Did the Bulldogs trainer go too far? Perhaps. But sometimes, you need to develop a thick skin.”
This sentiment was echoed by Rugby League legend Andrew Johns on Channel Nine’s Sunday Footy Show, emphasizing that challenging training helps forge character in players.
“When you are pushed to your limits, both in training and on the field, your true character shines through. It’s about building trust and resilience,” Mr. Johns expressed.
Commenting on the potential impact of the lawsuit, Billy Slater, another Rugby League icon, stated that wrestling was a common training practice during his time at the Melbourne Storm.
“While wrestling is a part of training, there needs to be balance. If this lawsuit is successful, it will prompt clubs, trainers, and coaches to carefully consider how they handle player interactions,” Mr. Slater concluded.
Overall, the legal action taken by Mr. Topine against the Bulldogs could have lasting implications on training and player-coach relationships in the NRL and beyond.
