POLICE have issued a warrant for the arrest of Nelson Bay man and former Knox Grammar teacher Christopher Fotis for failing to appear before the royal commission into child abuse.
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The 52-year-old Fotis was expected to give evidence before the commission which last week heard disturbing claims of sexual abuse by teachers at the exclusive Sydney school during the 1970s and '80s.
A commission spokesman said the warrant remains outstanding and the commission was receiving updates from the NSW police.
Up until last Wednesday, Fotis was an active member and had a position on the Nelson Bay Tennis Club committee.
Club president Rod Stubbs said that Fotis had "never had any contact with any of the kids" and that if he knew about his background "he would have been gone long ago".
Club coach Peter Doohan said Fotis was not involved in the junior coaching program at Nelson Bay and that he had no qualifications to coach.
"We have very strict guidelines when it comes to junior coaching," he said.
Prior to joining the tennis club, Fotis was a member of the Nelson Bay senior cricket club as both a player and committeeman.
President Craig Astley said that Fotis was never involved with the juniors in any way, shape or form.
"He had a season or two with our seniors as a player and had made a number of enemies before leaving the club.
"I believe he tried to launch his own cricket club here but it failed."
Mr Astley said he had received a phone call from a tennis club representative some months ago wanting to know the circumstances behind Fotis' exit from the club.
Former cricket club members recalled Fotis had claimed to be a solicitor.