‘Corporal Punishment’: Athlete Lodges $4 Million Lawsuit Against Club for Intense Training Session

If successful, the lawsuit will have wider implications for sporting organisations that often put athletes through challenging training routines.

Jackson Topine of the Bulldogs is tackled by Will Penisini of the Eels during the round seven NRL match between Parramatta Eels and Canterbury Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, Australia on April 16, 2023. Matt King/Getty Images

A National Rugby League (NRL) player has sued his former club for $4 million over what he describes as “psychiatric injury, deprivation of liberty, [and] humiliation” from a punishment he received during training.

A statement of claim attached to the lawsuit alleges 22-year-old Jackson Topine was forced by Canterbury Bulldogs’ team trainer Travis Touma to wrestle 30 to 35 teammates as punishment for being 10 minutes late to practice.