Brett Clay, a former field hockey coach from New Jersey, was deported from the United States earlier this year after pleading guilty to endangering the welfare of a child.
Brett Clay Kick (also known as Brett Clay), a 39‑year‑old South African-born field hockey coach, had built a respectable athletic career both as a player and coach.
He worked extensively in KwaZulu‑Natal before relocating to the U.S. to coach youth teams in New Jersey.
However, his reputation took a dramatic downturn this year after he entered a guilty plea, prompting the termination of his U.S. work visa and ouster from the country.
Brett Clay Again Faces Accusations In South Africa From Former Players!
In December 2024, Kick pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a minor following an April 2024 arrest in New Jersey.
Prosecutors revealed he exchanged sexually inappropriate messages with a 17‑year‑old athlete.
Authorities uncovered over 250 pages of messages, including requests for explicit stories and photos.
He allegedly offered money and pressured the athlete, who later said she felt compelled to comply due to his role as her coach.
In February 2025, Clay was sentenced to three years of probation, banned from working with minors in New Jersey, and ordered to undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation.
On the flip side, his U.S. visa expired during the legal proceedings, and later, news outlets confirmed he was formally deported in 2025, cutting short his coaching position in the U.S..
During his sentencing in New Jersey, Brett Clay made a brief statement expressing remorse. He said:
I regret my actions. Stupidity is the best I can put it down to. And I don’t play victim in anything that I’ve lost in terms of reputation, career. All of that. I accept that I give it up.
He also mentioned that he hoped his departure from the U.S. would ease the anxiety of the victim and her family.
However, since his return to South Africa, several former players from KwaZulu-Natal have come forward, accusing Clay of similar misconduct dating back to their teenage years.
One woman said Clay began grooming her at age 13, and that she stayed silent out of fear.
She later contacted the South African Hockey Association (SAHA), urging them to prevent him from coaching again
Not only that, SAHA has issued a nationwide warning urging clubs and schools to avoid any affiliation with him.
USA Judge Bans South African Hockey Coach from Youth Work After Guilty Plea in Child Endangerment Case
— Bianca van Wyk (@BiancavanWyk16) July 9, 2025
Earlier this year, a Somerset County criminal judge in New Jersey, USA, banned a South African club field hockey coach from ever working with youth in the state. Brett Clay,… pic.twitter.com/88dfI4BiHX
Gary Dolley, SAHA’s senior safeguarding officer, emphasized their commitment to creating a safe space for players, saying:
We strongly advise that no organisation engages his services.
Similarly, Siv Ngesi, an award-winning actor, called for permanent safeguards to prevent him from coaching again, saying:
Make this pe**phile famous , may he never be permitted to be around children! His name is Brett Clay..Hockey coach Brett Clay was expelled from the United States earlier in 2024 after he was convicted of attempted sexual criminal contact.
Brett Clay’s career is now in ruins following a criminal conviction in the U.S. and a wave of disturbing allegations from former players in South Africa.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Brett Clay was first arrested on March 28, 2024, in Raritan Township, New Jersey, and was released on bail.
- The arrest followed an investigation into sexually explicit messages he sent to a 17-year-old player he coached, which began in late December 2023 or early January 2024.
