Category: Media Release

ASAPD Unveils New Guidelines to Advance Accessibility in Australian Sports Venues

Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD) has unveiled national guidelines designed to ensure every Australian indoor sporting facility is accessible, safe, and welcoming for people with disability. Announced at the 2025 PLA National Conference, this milestone launch would not have been possible without the dedicated support of Otium Planning Group.

The purpose of the guidelines is to inform community sporting infrastructure locational accessibility, management and access arrangements, and facility design. The Guidelines are envisaged to support sporting organisations, planners, architects, builders, operators, government agencies, and educational institutions in enhancing sporting outcomes for people with disabilities.

ASAPD, in collaboration with its eight (8) member organisations (Blind Sports Australia, Boccia Australia, Deaf Sports Australia, Disabled Wintersport Australia, Riding for the Disabled Australia, Special Olympics Australia, Sport Inclusion Australia and Transplant Australia) identified critical gaps where Australians were not being fully considered in building design and planning processes. The alliance has outlined practical recommendations to address these gaps and enhance accessibility.

Developed in partnership with Otium Planning Group, the Disability Sports Community Facility Guidelines and Venue Specifications highlight universal design principles and practical solutions to reduce barriers for athletes, coaches, volunteers, and spectators with disability.

Key new standards include:

Accessible entrances, step-free paths, wide passageways, clear signage, and universal parking for safer, easier navigation.
Inclusive facilities: automatic doors, hearing loops, tactile and braille signs, colour-contrasted line markings, and visual-audio cues for blind, Deaf, or sensory-impaired athletes.
Dedicated quiet rooms, flexible amenities, and integrated storage to support a diverse range of sports, including Boccia, wheelchair basketball, Goalball, blind football, and para-powerlifting.
Venue management performance metrics, staff education, and peer consultation to ensure ongoing improvement and genuine community benefit.

ASAPD CEO, Dr Phil Hamdorf said, “While there is a genuine desire within the government and the sports sector to address the challenges mentioned, limited resources are available to guide public servants, sporting organisations and industry advisors. A comprehensive tool that integrates the needs of people with disability and associated organisations from early planning to delivering and managing community sporting infrastructure can significantly enhance outcomes. By adopting a realistic, sustainable and phased approach, we can ensure that people with disability enjoy the same opportunities and experiences as other members of the sporting community.”

The guidelines have been shaped through extensive consultation with people with lived experience of disability, sports groups, venue managers, and allied experts to make sport and fitness accessible to all Australians.

Access the guidelines here:

For further information, please contact:

COMMUNICATIONS@ASAPD.ORG

Achieve Australia Backs ASAPD Forum with Emma Bennison MBA GAICD Keynote

ASAPD warmly welcomes Achieve Australia as a Bronze Sponsor for the inaugural ASAPD Sport and Disability Forum. With over 70 years of experience, Achieve Australia is a leading for-purpose organisation dedicated to providing expert disability services and championing social inclusion. Their longstanding commitment empowers people with disability to live independently, pursue rewarding work, and participate fully in vibrant communities.

Guided by principles of collaboration, stewardship, accountability, and a drive for extraordinary outcomes, Achieve Australia’s purpose is to ensure people with disability achieve genuine inclusion and lead valued, meaningful lives. Their mission of delivering the rights of people with disability comes to life through services in accommodation, employment, skills development, and community participation.

Achieve Australia’s support for the ASAPD Forum perfectly aligns with our shared mission to advance inclusion and foster collaboration in disability sport, active recreation and the broader sector. Both organisations are committed to removing barriers to participation and shifting attitudes, so every person with disability is empowered to contribute and belong without restriction.

The financial support provided by Achieve Australia as a Bronze Sponsor will directly enable Emma Bennison MBA GAICD to deliver a keynote address at the ASAPD Forum. Emma shared: “I’m delighted to be delivering the keynote address at ASAPD’s inaugural forum. Across sport and beyond, I’ve seen how disability leadership lifts quality, participation and trust. I’ll offer concrete steps leaders can take on Monday morning to embed co-design and accountability.”

This new partnership will enhance the ASPAD Forum’s reach and impact, connecting sector leaders, driving positive change, and creating new pathways for advocacy in disability sport. Together, we reinforce a shared ethos of partnership, learning, and action, strengthening opportunities and outcomes for people with disability through community and sport.

We are delighted to welcome Achieve Australia as a vital bronze sponsor and an inspiring ally in building a more inclusive Australia for people with disability.

You can be part of this movement by attending the ASAPD Sport and Disability Forum. Join leading advocates, athletes, and sport sector professionals for a powerful day of learning, collaboration, and innovation in Sydney on Friday, 20 March 2026.

ASAPD Sets New Standard for Inclusive Sports Tribunals People With Lived Experience Take Lead in Resolving NSOD Disputes

The Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD) have announced the formation of their inaugural Hearing Tribunal. This ground-breaking step sets a new benchmark for sport integrity and inclusive dispute resolution across Australia.

The nine (9) Tribunal Members located across Australia are eminently qualified to hear such complaints and disputes, coming with a range of lived experience in either the disability sector, the sport sector as participants (athletes, volunteers, or staff), trauma, or a combination of these experiences. By selecting Tribunal Members with firsthand knowledge of sport and/or disability, ASAPD ensures hearings will be fair, empathetic, and reflective of the community it serves. Having nine members will allow ASAPD to appoint three (3) members to a Hearing Panel and avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest where a matter arises requiring a hearing tribunal.

The Tribunal’s inaugural members are:

• Fiona Given, Paralympic Boccia player and lawyer

• Nikki Dryden, Olympic Swimmer and human rights lawyer

• Alison Quigley, Athlete Advocate, former elite-gymnast and lawyer

• Dr Peta Spyrou, expert discrimination lawyer and academic

• Liam Elphick, expert discrimination lawyer and former cricket umpire

• Mitchell Medcalf, lawyer and Australia’s first blind DJ

• Heike Fabig, national Boccia referee and lawyer

• Liam Saxby, forensic IT expert, national weightlifting representative

• Clare Carey, rehabilitation counsellor and national team official

ASAPD reconigises that at the heart of many complaints and disputes are constrained or disrupted relationships between people. All Tribunal Members have completed specialist professional development in Trauma Informed Practice run by Phoenix Australia, Australia’s National Centre of Excellence in Posttraumatic Mental Health. This person-centered approach moves beyond the traditional legal process and offers a space where the emotional experience of participants is recognised and valued. Empathy, attention and respect and the capacity to create a psychologically safe environment are fundamental to appropriate conduct of Tribunals, and unfortunately these skills are not always employed in overly aggressive or litigious style Tribunal structures, which can leave parties more traumatised than the conduct that led to the composition of the Tribunal in the first place. All policies in sport should be read from the point of view of their intent or purpose – to create a safe environment for all who participate in sport.

Likewise, it is important to create a sense of balance, and this includes recognising that sometimes a person’s impairment may help explain some behaviour, but balancing that with the acknowledgement that an impairment does not excuse misbehaviour.

The Hearing Tribunal will play a significant role in deliberating allegations of prohibited conduct under Member Organisation policies, ensuring a fair and transparent process for resolving complaints and disputes. By appointing impartial members who are independent of any individual organisation and possess exceptional qualifications, each case is approached with both expertise and objectivity. Importantly, ASAPD’s inclusion of members with lived experience sets a new benchmark for tribunal recruitment, helping ensure that sport tribunals genuinely reflect and serve their diverse communities.

By establishing its Hearing Tribunal, ASAPD is committed to strengthening integrity across all NSODs through fair, timely, and best-practice responses to concerns within the sporting community. The Tribunal not only hears cases that may be appealed to the National Sports Tribunal, but also addresses matters outside its remit—including issues arising during play, at events, or when both parties choose not to pursue a formal National Sports Tribunal hearing. When needed, Tribunal panels can also provide mediation to help resolve conflicts before they escalate.

For more information about the Tribunal, contact Ross Ashcroft, ASAPD National Integrity Manager, at NIM@asapd.org. General enquiries can be directed to ASAPD Communications Advisor, Sophie Kinnear, at communications@asapd.org.

Year 3 of the Sport Volunteer Coalition (SVC) Action Plan – Australian Sports Commission

Large, bold yellow letters “ASC” are centered on a dark blue background, creating a simple and high-contrast design.

The Australian Sports Commission has released a new report and video as part of the Sport Volunteer Coalition Action Plan. This important work highlights how we can create more inclusive, flexible, and rewarding volunteer experiences across the sport sector.

The Action Plan outlines key steps to support and strengthen volunteering now and into the future.

Explore the report and video HERE.

Australian Sporting Alliance for People with Disability (ASAPD) renews partnership with Dentons for 2025

Australia—National sporting organisation, the Australian Sporting Alliance for People with Disability (ASAPD), has renewed its strategic partnership in Australia with Dentons for 2025.

Dentons will continue to advise ASAPD and its nine affiliated National Sporting Organisations for People with Disability members on the full range of legal issues, including governance, charity law and taxation, intellectual property, employment, safeguarding, risk management, integrity, conduct issues and more.

On continuing ASAPD’s partnership with Dentons, ASAPD’s CEO, Dr Phil Hamdorf, said that “We have enjoyed working with Dentons over the past year. Dentons has invested in ASAPD and cares deeply about our mission and the mission of our members. It is exciting to see what will happen as we extend this partnership for another year.”

Campbell Hudson, Dentons’ lead Charities and Not-for-profit Sector Partner, echoed Dr Hamdorf’s comments by adding that “We at Dentons have really enjoyed working with ASAPD and its members. I am pleased that we can continue to use our vast experience in the charity sector to support Australian disability sport, especially as Brisbane 2032 approaches.” he said.

ASAPD’s nine affiliated National Sporting Organisations for People with Disability members are Blind Sports Australia, Boccia Australia, Deaf Sports Australia, Disability Sports Australia, Disabled Wintersport Australia, Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia, Special Olympics Australia, Sport Inclusion Australia, and Transplant Australia.

Across over 80 countries, Dentons helps organisations by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and sustainability, Dentons focuses on what matters most to clients.

Surf Australia

FOR IMMEDIATE MEDIA RELEASE

Six Time World Champion to Headline Organisation of the 2025 BrightSky Australian Pro Adaptive Surf Championships in Byron Bay

World’s Best Adaptive Surfers Set to Compete in Byron Bay for the 2025 Australian Pro Adaptive Surf Championships

Byron Bay, NSW (10/03/2025) – The 2025 BrightSky Australian Pro Adaptive Surf Championships Presented by Forward Ability Support is set to take over Byron Bay from March 23rd to March 30th, 2025. As the first leg on the Association of Adaptive Surfing Professionals (AASP) World Tour, this competition will showcase the incredible skill and determination of adaptive surfers from across Australia and around the world. The Adaptive Pro celebrates resilience, inclusivity, and the transformative power of sport, bringing an incredible energy to the coastal hub of Byron Bay.

Melissa Decker, CEO of BrightSky Australia, the Naming Rights Partner and Forward Ability Support as a Presenting Partner, has stated she is looking forward to collaborations and enjoying the spectacular event: “We are proud to partner with and sponsor the Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships, championing inclusivity and empowering athletes to showcase their strength, resilience, and passion for the sport”.

Collaboration, fun, and inclusivity take centre stage at the Australian Pro Adaptive Surf Championships. While the spotlight shines on the inspirational adaptive surfers, the event is more than competition. The week will feature cultural ceremonies, community engagement, and a free ‘Come and Try’ clinic supported by Surfing Australia and presented by Macquarie Sports, welcoming more people into the sport, and creating an unforgettable experience for athletes and spectators.

The championship is also host to the Australian Para Surfing Titles, where local talent competes for a coveted spot on the national ‘The Irukandji’s’ surfing team. Surfing Australia’s Chief of Sport, Luke Madden, said, “Surfing Australia has long been a huge part of competitive adaptive surfing in this country and we’re over the moon to be a part of this stop of the adaptive world tour.”

Event Manager, Six-time world champion and adaptive surfing legend Mark “Mono” Stewart is equally thrilled to see the event return to Byron Bay: “The Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships committee are stoked to partner with BrightSky and Forward Ability Support for 2025. We welcome their support and commitment to ensuring the growth of this sport and couldn’t think of better partners to support the event and the competing athletes”.

Adaptive surfing has seen a rapid growth since its inception in the USA in 2015, leading to the first Adaptive Pro-Surf League founded just two years later in 2017. While the first events had just 40 competitors, there are now more than 500 internationally classified adaptive surfers from 33 countries across 9 sport classes, including several Paralympians who have successfully transitioned to surfing and have since competed on the ever-expanding World circuit. This success makes surfing one of the fastest growing para sports, an exciting prospect which might appeal to the organising committee of the 2032 Paralympic Games in Brisbane.

Dr Maureen Johnson Head of the ISA Para Surfing Classifications will be visiting again this year and states “that the past 10 years has been an exciting time for competitive adaptive surfing. I have enjoyed meeting Paralympians from other sports as they register for Classification under the Adaptive Surfing framework. Each Athlete must go through a rigorous classification process to compete. This is a unique framework that promotes fair and meaningful competition by minimising the impact of athletes’ impairments on the outcome of competition so that the outcome is determined by factors other than impairment. A colleague and I researched the biomechanics of able-bodied surfing and then compared abilities and permanent impairments of athletes with a variety of medical conditions, such as spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, amputation, and vision loss, creating nine Sport classes. Fast forward almost 10 years and what I am noticing now is the in-water and out-of-water training that the Athletes are doing to improve their surfing performance as they hone their skills and raise the bar of competition. We are thrilled and honoured to return to Byron Bay again this March and I still get goosebumps when thinking about the potential for the sport while watching these elite adaptive surfers busting air and doing 360’ manoeuvres.”

Ross Ashcroft from the Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD) believes adaptive surfing is definitely looking towards the future: “Adaptive surfing is showing that sports which seek to include people with disability demonstrate the power of taking initiative in creating an accessible and welcoming culture. In a short time, frame, adaptive surfing in Australia and around the world has charted exponential growth and living the values of inclusion and diversity. More sports could learn from the steps they have taken thus far, and ASAPD looks forward to supporting the growth of this sport”.

We all extend an invitation to come be part of this spectacular event and be an early adopter of a new sport – whether as a spectator, athlete or finding another way to participate and get involved.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

March 21 – 22: Athlete Classifications led by Dr. Mo Johnson, ensuring fair competition by grouping athletes based on functional ability.
March 23: Parade of Nations, where international competitors march through Byron Bay, followed by a Welcome to Country led by Bundjalung representatives and the Official Opening Ceremony featuring speeches and the ‘Pouring of the Sands’ ritual.
March 24 – 25: The Australian Para Surfing Championships take place.
March 25: Come and Try Day.
March 26 – 30: The BrightSky Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships Presented by Forward Ability Support commence, leading up to the semi-finals on March 29 and the finals on March 30, concluding with the Official Presentation Night at Byron Bay Services Club.

The BrightSky Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships Presented by Forward Ability Support is a testament to the strength and resilience of adaptive athletes. It is an event that not only showcases the highest level of competition but also inspires greater inclusivity in the sport of surfing.

For further information, please contact:
www.adaptivesurfproaustralia.com and https://surfingaustralia.com/parasurf/

The BrightSky Adaptive Pro Presented by Forward Ability Support

The Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy: What’s it about?

In recent months, ASAPD has been introducing members to the policies of the National Integrity Framework (NIF), a commitment we’ve made alongside numerous National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) and National Sporting Organisations for people with Disability (NSODs) across Australia’s sporting community. This month, our focus is on the final and central policy within this framework: The Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy (CDDP). The Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy can also be explored in video format at the following links:

Central Concepts in the CDDP

The CDDP is the policy which acts like glue to hold all the other policies together, providing a framework for managing and resolving complaints and disputes, as well as outlining procedures disciplining individuals found to have breached the rules. Several key concepts are essential to understand within each policy, including the CDDP itself.

Prohibited conduct: Actions or behaviours deemed unacceptable during activities organised or sanctioned by us at ASAPD. Prohibited conduct is specifically defined or prescribed under any of the five (5) NIF policies adopted by ASAPD, which include the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, Competition Manipulation and Sport Gambling Policy, Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy, Member Protection Policy or the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy. Each of these policies has accompanying video explainers, as well as videos in Auslan.
Complaint: A formal written submission alleging prohibited conduct by a respondent. Complaints cannot be anonymous. (cl. 6.1)
Sanction: An action taken against an individual found to have breached a NIF policy.
Dispute: Arises when there is a conflict between two or more parties regarding a situation. This could involve a member and another member, a member and a group, a member and the Board, or disputes between Board members.

The purpose of this policy is to hold individuals or sporting organisations accountable for their misconduct or wrongdoing and to outline how they will be held accountable for their actions.

I Think a Policy Has Been Breached – What Do I Do?

If you suspect a breach of any NIF policy, it is crucial to file a complaint with us at ASAPD. To facilitate appropriate actions, there are several key pieces of information we require in your complaint:

Date of Incident: Specify when the conduct you believe constitutes a breach of policy occurred.
Subject of the Complaint: Identify the individual or organisation the complaint is about.
Recipient of the Conduct: Clarify who the conduct was directed towards(e.g., yourself or someone you support)
Nature of the Conduct: Describe the specific conduct you believe breaches the policy.
Policy Breached: Indicate which policy you believe was violated.
Supporting Evidence: Provide any witness accounts or relevant documents that can substantiate the complaint of a policy breach.

Before submitting your complaint, it may be beneficial to jot down brief answers to these questions on paper or a computer document to ensure clarity.

We understand that instances of poor behaviour may have occurred repeatedly or over an extended period. In such cases, it may be challenging to pinpoint an exact date of the initial breach.. We ask that you make your best effort to estimate the date of the first breach and provide dates for subsequent breaches to the best of your ability.

I Think a Policy Has Been Breached – Who Do I Complain To?

For serious instances of misconduct, an independent complaint-handling body called Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) is available. Complaints related to breaches of the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy or complaints regarding Discrimination should be directed to SIA. You can submit these complaints through this link. Please note that only matters occurring after our signing of the NIF on 19 September 2023 can be reported to SIA.

For matters unrelated to safeguarding concerns or discrimination, or incidents occurring before our NIF signing, complaints should be addressed to us at ASAPD. You can reach us at NIM@asapd.org, or submit a complaint via our website.

Complaints to SIA

Complaints to us

• Misconduct with a child or young person.

• Sexual behaviour with or around a child or young person.

• Shaming, humiliating, intimidating or belittling a child or young person.

• Causing a child or young person physical pain or discomfort.

• Breaching the Child/Young Person Safe Practices.

• Supplying of drugs or alcohol to a child or young person.

• Discrimination based on: – race or ethnicity – age – disability – sex or sexual orientation – religion.

• Doping (managed under the sport’s Anti-Doping Policy).

YOU MUST REPORT TO SIA IF IT INVOLVES A CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON.

• Abuse, bullying or harassment between adults.

• Victimisation of an adult.

• Sexual Misconduct between adults.

• Match, race or competition fixing and other types of Competition Manipulation.

• Supplying inside information for the purposes of gambling.

• Betting by members on their own sport.

• Unlawful use or provision of over the counter or prescription drugs or supplements.

• Use, possession or trafficking of illegal drugs.

• Concealing information about Prohibited Conduct.

• Selection and eligibility disputes.

• Competition Rules disputes.

• Code of Conduct breaches.

• Social Media Policy breaches.

• Governance misconduct.

• Employment disputes.

• Complaints that are solely a Personal Grievance.

• Whistleblower disclosures.

• Any conduct that occurred before your sports commencement date.

• Any other policies that your sport has.

If you are uncertain whether to file a complaint with Sport Integrity Australia or us, you can contact SIA directly on 1300 027 232. They will offer further guidance on the most appropriate body to address your complaint.

Further Information

As we conclude our NIF policy blogs, ASAPD remains committed to providing ongoing information and education on various NIF policies and areas of concern through our newsletters and social media channels. You can catch up on any previous blogs via the News section of our website and we encourage you to join our social channels and subscribe to our newsletter. If you have suggestions for other topics you’d like us to cover, please don’t hesitate to contact us via NIM@asapd.org.

Additionally, we’d like to remind you that SIA offers a range of free e-learning short courses on each of the topics. These courses can be completed at your own pace and can be accessed by registering here. They serve as excellent professional development opportunities for athletes, coaches, volunteers and staff. While participation in these courses is not mandatory for every member in our organisation, completing them signifies our dedication to ensuring the safety of our community and contributes to the broader safety of the Australian sporting community. It’s about embracing the idea that ‘knowledge is empowering’ rather than adhering to the old adage ‘knowledge is power’.

ASAPD and CAS Announce New Partnership to Promote Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Sports

An athlete in a racing wheelchair is speeding along a track, captured in mid-motion across the finish line. The bright red running track contrasts with the green field in the background, emphasizing the athlete’s dynamic movement and competitive spirit.

The Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD) and the Confederation of Australian Sport (CAS) are excited to announce a new partnership aimed at promoting inclusion, diversity, and equity in sport. This strategic collaboration will focus on mutual support and knowledge sharing to achieve significant outcomes for people living with a disability.

The purpose of the partnership is to establish a framework for cooperation between ASAPD and CAS, outlining the intentions and understanding of both parties as they work towards mutually agreed outcomes. Both organisations are committed to working together in good faith to achieve these objectives.

ASAPD and CAS are dedicated to:

Providing advice, guidance, and recommendations on inclusion, diversity, and equity issues, including strategy overview, action plans, and initiative implementations.
Sharing knowledge and support in the provision and contextualisation of relevant data.
Providing each other with branding endorsements and communication promotion of applicable initiatives.
Recognising and promoting the purpose and value of each organisation to members through relevant communications and digital media platforms.

“We are thrilled to partner with CAS to further our mission of promoting inclusion and diversity in sport,” said Dr Phil Hamdorf, Chief Executive Officer of ASAPD. “This Agreement sets the stage for impactful initiatives that will benefit people living with a disability across the country.”

Mr Rob Bradley AM, Chief Executive Officer of CAS, added, “Our collaboration with ASAPD will enhance our efforts to support adaptive sport and create more opportunities for individuals with a disability to engage in physical activity. Together, we can achieve great outcomes.”

The Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD) is dedicated to providing opportunities and advocating for individuals living with a disability in sport. ASAPD works towards creating an inclusive sports environment where everyone has the chance to participate and excel.

The Confederation of Australian Sport (CAS) is an independent, not-for-profit industry voice committed to promoting the contribution of community sport and representing the interests of those organisations and peak bodies involved in community-based sport and active recreation.

For more information, please contact:

ASAPD Contact: Dr Phil Hamdorf 0421 610 064

CAS Contact: Mr Rob Bradley 0412 343 651

This press release marks the beginning of a promising partnership between ASAPD and CAS, highlighting their joint commitment to fostering inclusion, diversity, and equity in the sports community.

The Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy

Our introduction of the National Integrity Framework (NIF) continues with an explanation of the Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy (IUDMP).

Like the other NIF policies, ASAPD is among the many National Sporting Organisations or National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) for people with Disability (NSODs) that have embraced and put into practice the NIF. This initiative aims to establish consistent standards of conduct within the Australian sporting community, fostering a safer, more equitable and inclusive environment for all participants.

Key Points to Understand about the IUDMP

The primary aim of the IUDMP is to safeguard athletes from potential harm arising from the improper use of medicines, illegal drugs, and supplements. Similar to other policies in the NIF suite, the IUDMP features video introductions available at the following links or an Auslan version for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

This policy is more limited than other policies in the NIF suite, in that it part of the policy only applies to relevant athletes, which are defined as international level athletes and national level athletes. The part which is only limited to these athletes is the component on supplements, medicines and injections.

Aligned with other NIF policies, the IUDMP explicitly outlines prohibited conduct, encompassing behaviour which is deemed unacceptable. For the purpose of this policy, prohibited conduct includes:

Unlawful use of prescription medicine and over the counter (OTC) medicine;
Unauthorised injection or possession of hypodermic injection equipment (dry needling and acupuncture needles would not be a breach);
Supplying prohibited supplements to a relevant athlete;
Being convicted of a serious drug offence;
Being complicity or implicated in any form of prohibited conduct;
Failing to report breaches of this policy.

Each of the above behaviours or actions is elaborated upon in the policy for a more comprehensive understanding. For example, unlawful use of medicine or supplements would be when the medicine is not used for a permitted purpose, such as a vaccination or to treat a documented medical condition. However, if medicine is needed for a lifesaving purpose, it is not a breach to provide that medicine.

The overall message is however clear – if you require medicine or supplements, only use them under the guidance and supply from appropriate professionals (such as a doctor or pharmacist), adhering strictly to the prescribed directions. When in doubt regarding medicine or supplements, consult the appropriate professionals rather than relying on advice from friends or family members.

What the IUDMP is Not

It is crucial to understand that the IUDMP differs from the anti-doping policy that governs many Australian sports, although it complements the anti-doping regulations. The current Australian National Anti-doping Policy (ANADP) was established on 1 January 2021 and aligns with the World Anti-Doping Agency Code, subject to regular updates. However, in cases of inconsistency between the IUDMP and the ANADP, in relation to a prohibited medicine or supplements, the ANADP will take precedence and be enforced.

The ANADP aims to establish a uniform and robust set of anti-doping regulations applicable in Australia. Individuals who suspect an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) must report their concerns to Sport Integrity Australia here.

I Think the IUDMP Has Been Breached – Who Do I Complain To?

If you suspect breaches of the IUDMP, reports should be reported to ASAPD. Complaints can be lodged with our National Integrity Manager via email at NIM@asapd.org, who will provide a link to the complaint form for specific details to be provided.

Complaints concerning breaches of the IUDMP will be handled according to the processes and requirements outlined in the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy. The purpose of this policy is to create standardised processes and procedures for handling complaints, minimising the risk of procedural unfairness and ensuring natural justice for all parties involved. If a breach of the IUDMP is substantiated, the case categorisation model will be employed to hold accountable any individuals or sporting organisations responsible for misconduct or wrongdoing, and to determine appropriate sanctions based on the circumstances.

Further Information

Throughout 2024, ASAPD has been providing short education articles on each of the NIF policies and areas of concern through blogs, newsletters and our social media channels. If you haven’t had the chance to look at our previous blogs, you can visit our News page to access them. And we encourage you to sign up to our Newsletter for future updates. ASAPD believes that proactive education on each policy will mitigate instances of misconduct in sport, fostering a safer environment for all participants.

Additionally, Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) has developed a series of free e-learning short courses covering each of the topics, designed to be completed at your own pace and can be accessed by registering here. These courses are valuable for professional development, benefiting athletes, coaches, volunteers and staff alike. While participation in these courses is not mandatory for every member in our organisation, completing them signifies our dedication to ensuring the safety of our community and contributes to the broader safety of the Australian sporting community. It’s about embracing the idea that ‘knowledge is empowering’ rather than adhering to the old adage ‘knowledge is power’.

National Integrity Framework: Behind The Competition Manipulation and Sport Gambling Policy

An orange-themed graphic displays stacks of coins topped with soccer balls, conveying financial aspects of sports. Bold white text in the foreground reads: "National Integrity Framework: Competition Manipulation and Sports Gambling." A large, semi-transparent geometric emblem overlays the lower right corner.

The Competition Manipulation and Sport Gambling Policy (CMSGP) is the latest addition to the National Integrity Framework (NIF) policies introduced by ASAPD. You might be wondering: why does gambling matter in para-sports? Or, what relevance does it have to my sport, especially if it’s not high-performance or elite? This blog provides a brief overview of the darker aspect of sport, and explains why such policies are essential not only for the Australian sporting sector but also for our community at ASAPD.

The Big Picture

Corruption, including competition manipulation, is a global issue in sports, leading to numerous scandals worldwide, including in Para-sports. For instance, in 2000, the Spanish basketball team misrepresented themselves in the Paralympics, claiming to have athletes with intellectual disabilities, when in reality 10 of the 12 players did not. There have also been cases of intentional misrepresentation, where athletes deliberately conceal the truth of their true abilities or medical conditions to gain an advantage. A well-known case of intentional misrepresentation was that of Vinod Kumar, who received a two-year ban from the International Paralympic Committee for misrepresenting his abilities during classification proceedings at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Kumar was observed performing several movements and functions which were not consistent with his performance during the physical and technical aspects of classification. Additionally, doping scandals have plagued sports history, further highlighting the need for integrity measures. Recognising these challenges, the Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, also known as the Macolin Convention, was established to tackle corruption.

More recently, the 2018 Report of the Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements, or the Wood Review, detailed the significant threat of competition manipulation to Australian Sport. The review made 52 recommendations across five key themes:

A stronger response to match-fixing
Regulation of gambling and sports wagering
Enhancing Australia’s anti-doping capability
The development of a National Sports Tribunal
The development of a National Sports Integrity Commission

So, what exactly is competition manipulation under the Convention and the CMSGP?

Competition manipulation is sometimes referred to as match-fixing. It is a form of cheating that can involve various individuals, from athletes to officials, club level right through to international level sport. Under Article 3 of the Macolin Convention, it is defined as any “intentional arrangement, act or omission aimed at an improper alteration of the result of the course of a sports competition”. It may also involve organised criminals who seek to profit off of gambling or benefit through the use of improperly obtained “inside” information.

The CMSGP defines competition manipulation through prohibited conduct, including:

Changing the result (or course of a) sporting event, to benefit oneself or others, such as losing a specific period of the match for gambling purposes;
Betting on one’s own sport;
Disclosing private information – not available to the general public – which could influence gambling;
Providing a benefit to breach the policy (or attempting to do so), such as offering money to commit fouls or a breach of the game;
Failing to report information relating to competition manipulation, such as blackmail, threats, or bribes to fix a competition.

For more information on the Competition Manipulation and Sport Gambling Policy, check out the following links:

Other Risks

While the CMSGP allows legitimate commercial agreements, such as sponsorship deals or advertising arrangements, with regulated gambling organisations in Australia, it’s essential to understand its requirements and broader issues like competition manipulation techniques. Being aware helps us identify problematic arrangements. For clubs or associations considering such agreements, we recommend involving the Board and Senior Executive level, including discussions with any national governing body.

Apart from sponsorship agreements, certain behaviours pose risks to the integrity of sport, influencing those involved in competition manipulation. These include risks associated with live streaming events, courtsiding and data scouts.

I Think There Has Been Competition Manipulation in My Sport – Who Do I Complain To?

If you suspect or believe any behaviour constitutes prohibited conduct in the CMSGP, it is mandatory to report it to ASAPD’s National Integrity Manager via email at NIM@asapd.org, or to the organised sport where you believe it occurred. The integrity manager will assist you with further reporting obligations, as some issues may need to be reported to law enforcement agencies.

Once a report is filed, it will be addressed according to the Complaints Dispute and Disciplinary Policy. If a policy breach is confirmed, the matter will be assessed using the case categorisation model to determine appropriate sanctions. Cases reported to law enforcement agencies will be handled under the relevant legislation that governs those organisations and matters.

Further Information

At ASAPD, we believe that knowledge is empowering and we will continue to provide educational resources on various NIF policies via newsletters and our social media channels. We encourage everyone involved in sports, whether at the club, national, or international level, to learn more about competition manipulation and the risks of sports gambling. Sport Integrity Australia offers valuable resources on competition manipulation here, and we recommend taking their free short course to enhance your understanding here. The course may even count as continuing professional development (CPD) within your workplace.