Melbourne girls’ netball community in shock as longtime coach charged with 19 vile child sex offences after sudden pre-season exit

A prominent former Victorian community netball coach has been accused of serious sex crimes against children.

Darren Adam Abela, 50, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday charged with 19 child sex offences.

Abela, who has more than three decades’ experience coaching female netball teams, allegedly committed multiple offences of indecent acts against a child in Melbourne’s west more than a decade ago.

Abela was also charged with multiple offences of sexually penetrating a child over 10 but under the age of 16, which allegedly occurred in another suburb in Melbourne’s west.

The court heard ongoing discussions between Abela’s counsel and the Office of Public Prosecutions were ‘going well’ as the parties worked to reach a resolution. 

Abela was suddenly replaced as co-coach of the Bloods Netball team of the Melton Football Netball Club just weeks before the 2025 season commenced in May.

It is understood that Abela took the helm of the Ballarat Netball League team with a long-time coaching partner in late 2024, but it was reported early last year that Abela and the other coach were ‘no longer able to take on the role’. 

Victoria Police sex crime detectives charged Abela with the historical child sex offences on October 10 last year. 

The experienced coach has helmed various Victorian teams, including leading the Westside Saints Netball Club for 27 years.

Abela was also charged with sexual penetration of a 16-year-old under his care, supervision or authority, which allegedly occurred while he was working for the Saints.

The Westside Saints, which is the representative team of the St Albans Caroline Springs Netball Association (SACSNA), offered Abela a social media tribute when he departed his role in 2021. 

‘Darren, along with his dedicated coaching team, have grown and developed Westside into one of the most desirable and successful clubs in our area,’ a Facebook post says.

‘His guidance and mentorship has helped many, past and present players, to progress their pathways through elite levels.

‘Enabling opportunities to be selected into Academies, VNL [Victorian Netball League], ANL, state and international teams.

‘All of us at SACSNA and Westside would like to thank Darren for his years of dedication and coaching expertise.

‘He will be sincerely missed and we wish him well on his next journey.’ 

Abela, of Hopetoun Park, a suburb near Bacchus Marsh in the state’s west, had his bail extended to next appear in court on July 10.

The Westside Saints and the Melton Bloods netball team were contacted for comment.