Gymnastics coach Jeb Silsbury was fired from a Melbourne club after texting a teenage athlete

A gymnastics coach who quit the Australian Olympic team after ABC revealed he had allegedly molested a former colleague is now accused of making sexual comments to former teenage athletes, including calling their buttocks.

The allegations against Jeb Silsbury, who is currently training as an Olympian at Cheltenham Youth Club in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, stem from his time as coach of the MLC gymnastics club, which is attached to Methodist Ladies’ College, a prestigious girls’ school in Melbourne.

An ABC investigation uncovered allegations from two former MLC gymnasts, one of whom claimed Silsbury’s behavior “went on for years” and included sexually explicit comments.

The allegations were reported to the school and Mr. Silsbury was fired.

Silsbury did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The alleged inappropriate comments made the girl feel ’embarrassed’

One former gymnast, now 29, said that when Silsbury arrived at MLC Gymnastics in 2008, he was friendly.

She said that when the team traveled abroad for international competitions, they dropped off chocolates at the athletes’ rooms or bought them gifts such as T-shirts or airport treats.

However, she alleged that as time went on, Mr Silsbury’s comments became increasingly inappropriate.

She recalled Mr. Silsbury allegedly describing some gymnastics skills as “like the best orgasm ever” or “like good sex.”

The gymnast said some strength exercises, such as hip raises, were also met with sexual comments.

“He used to say, ‘Just pretend that so-and-so is on top of you,’” she claimed.

“I never did this exercise when he was around because I was so embarrassed.”

The gymnast claims the coach commented on her body

The gymnast claimed that Mr Silsbury sometimes commented on the bodies of his athletes, including hers, and even went so far as to give them nicknames.

“I remember him telling me I had a rounder butt than everyone else,” she said.

“How should you react? So we just laughed hysterically about it, and then it became a coping mechanism.”

She said this event had a lasting impact on her.

“For years… I wore really long and baggy T-shirts because I was embarrassed,” she said.

“I was young and wanted to do gymnastics, but I just ignored it.

“I think I turned a blind eye to a lot of what he was doing.”

Another gymnast, now 28, claims Silsbury also made sexual comments while coaching her.

“He would make inappropriate comments, like… a Rihanna song she used to play S&M… he basically said ‘sex smells funky,'” she said.

“I just think it’s weird that he said that to a group of underage girls… he was our coach, it’s inappropriate considering the professional role he’s supposed to play.”

She said that on other occasions Mr Silsbury allegedly taunted her maliciously.

“You’re wearing a leotard, there’s not much coverage,” she said.

“I would just always feel really uncomfortable.”

Mother recalls “disgusting feeling” when daughter shared accusations

Coaches are expected to adhere to the Gymnastics Australia Member Safeguarding Policy, which sets out guidelines for conduct in sport.

Trainers are advised to avoid language that is inappropriate or “vulgar or sexual.”

The 29-year-old’s situation came to a head in 2012 when she told her adult sister that he had sent her a text message from Mr Silsbury.

She said the text messages were friendly but caused concern among her family members.

Her sister recalled the conversation with ABC.

“I don’t think she fully understood what was happening and the seriousness of the situation,” her sister said.

“At first I think she didn’t want to share how often she was receiving text messages.

“I think she felt conflicted, I don’t think she knew how to deal with it.

“I sensed she felt a little trapped.”

At her sister’s urging, the gymnast told her mother about Mr. Silsbury’s alleged behavior while they were on their way to practice.

“You know, you get this sickening feeling… like you don’t want to have this information in your head,” her mother recalled.

“I felt like I had to tell someone,” she said.

Termination of the employment contract after the parent raises objections

The gymnast’s mother contacted Mr Silsbury’s boss, Michelle De Highden, MLC Gymnastics Club’s head coach and performance manager, and a meeting was scheduled at the school.

The gymnast recalled Ms De Highden taking notes during the meeting as she sat with her mother.

“It looked like her heart was melting, she looked worried,” the gymnast said.

“At one point she hugged me and said it wasn’t my fault.”

Ms De Highden currently works at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), managed by the Australian Sports Commission.

A spokesman for the committee said Ms De Highden had reported alleged concerns about Mr Silsbury to the MLC’s human resources department.

“The MLC Gymnastics Club has subsequently decided to terminate Mr. Silsbury’s employment,” a spokesman said.

“The reports from athletes are disturbing and there is no place for such behavior in Australian sport.

“Mr Silsbury’s subsequent employer approached Ms De Highden informally and she did not recommend him for employment.”

Current Methodist Ladies’ College principal Julia Shea, who was not at the school during this period, confirmed that “the issue was promptly addressed and resolved” during Mr Silsbury’s time at MLC.

“Following the investigation, appropriate action was taken in accordance with our policies and standards in force at the time,” the director said.

“We can be assured that the MLC was guided at all times by then-current mandatory reporting and child safety practices in making its timely decisions,” she said.

The 29-year-old former gymnast said she later learned Silsbury had taken a job at Waverley Gymnastics, which she said caused her anxiety.

“I think Gymnastics Australia has a lot to say for itself and I don’t think I would ever enroll my child in gymnastics if it stayed that way because I can’t trust the coaches and the way they treat their gymnasts,” she says. he said.

Gymnastics Australia says allegations are ‘concerning’

In July, Silsbury withdrew from the Olympics the day before the national team was scheduled to fly to Paris after the ABC notified the Australian Olympic Committee of his former teammate’s allegations of inappropriate conduct.

An ABC investigation revealed that Gymnastics Australia was aware of a serious complaint of inappropriate behavior made against Mr Silsbury before he was selected for the Australian Olympic team.

The ABC now understands Gymnastics Australia has previously restricted Mr Silsbury’s participation in national camps due to concerns about his past behaviour.

Gymnastics Australia said the allegations against Silsbury were “disturbing”.

“Any inappropriate behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our sport,” the spokeswoman said.

“We encourage anyone with concerns to submit a formal complaint or report through Sport Integrity Australia.

“Every coach and referee registered with Gymnastics Australia is required to undertake mandatory annual safety training and adhere to our national codes of conduct.

“Any behavior or action that is deemed to be in breach of our standards, policies or procedures will be taken seriously and addressed.”

The ABC understands Gymnastics Australia will not investigate the allegations made against Mr Silsbury, who is allowed to continue coaching because no formal complaint has been made against him.