Parkequip
Parkequip is an approved supplier under the NSW LGP Contract 308 for a range of products including play equipment, shade, shelters, safe fall, park furniture and school outdoor seating. All materials…
read moreSport Integrity Australia (SIA) has advised that it has finalised its assessment of statements referenced in Federal Parliament by Andrew Wilkie MP alleging the AFL were conducting ‘secret’ and ‘off the books’ drug testing of players to subvert the anti-doping process.
The assessment, conducted by SIA, focused on statements provided to SIA by Wilkie that centered on claims made within the statements that the AFL sanctioned an illicit drug testing regime that was detrimental to players and potentially breaching the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC).
SIA advised that it recognises relevant parties participating in the assessment were open and transparent and had a collective intent to ensure the future of the game was safe and maintained the highest levels of integrity. The assessment identified a number of key issues relevant to all sport in Australia particularly around addressing the threat posed by criminal infiltration of sport when players are exposed to illicit drug use.
It released the following findings:
• The assessment made a range of key recommendations, but significantly identified there were no breaches of the World Anti-Doping Code through any Anti-Doping Rule Violation by AFL players or support personnel or that injuries were feigned to cover up for positive drug testing during the week by the AFL or club doctors.
• Regarding the AFL's obligations as a signatory to the WADC, the assessment noted the responsibilities required of the AFL around anti-doping education under the Code and acknowledges that the AFL has a current Anti-Doping Education Plan. However, SIA did identify the need for the AFL to enhance their education to all levels of the game and the agency has agreed to work with the AFL on their program.
• That the AFL Illicit Drug Policy operates independently from the National Anti-Doping Scheme and recognises, while both ultimately aim to protect health and to promote integrity in sport, they operate under separate objectives and distinct frameworks. SIA concluded that there were no irreconcilable inconsistencies between the AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy and the National Anti-Doping Scheme, but recommended the AFL formalise a framework to maximise opportunities arising from the implementation of both policies. The confidential nature of the medical model (between doctor and player) prevented the AFL from sharing information publicly, thus creating a degree of suspicion.
Through the assessment, SIA identified integrity threats posed by the purchase of illicit drugs by players and noted this is an issue relevant to all sport in Australia. SIA noted the long-established AFL Integrity Unit and the fact the AFL is one of the few sports to implement an Illicit Drug Policy. SIA recommends the continued expansion of the AFL’s intelligence capability to manage emerging threats.
The SIA assessment makes eight key recommendations which the agency believes will enhance the development of a new Illicit Drug Policy and offer greater integrity protection for the AFL, AFL clubs, players, and support personnel.
Key recommendations:
Noting that the issue of illicit drug use presented a significant challenge to Australian sport, not just the AFL, Sport Integrity Australia Chief Executive, David Sharpe stated “all Australian sport has reached a crossroad in dealing with illicit drug use, player mental health and wellbeing and criminal infiltration of sport.
“Significant intervention is required immediately to address the illicit drug culture in sport and the increasing and unacceptable risks posed to players, officials, clubs, and sporting codes
"Sport Integrity Australia, along with several partner organisations, have identified evidence across Australian sports of clear dangers of criminals influencing sport through the supply of illicit drugs, including by preying on athletes or support staff to access inside information.
"Without significant cultural intervention to address the illicit drug culture in all sports, Sport Integrity Australia is concerned about the dire impacts to player's health and wellbeing, and the potential to bring a code or team into disrepute through integrity threats.”
Advising that the AFL could be a leader in this space, Sharpe added that SIA will continue to bolster engagement with the AFL and wider sporting community to improve our awareness of the threat environment, including through the use of illicit drugs.
12th June 2024 - Sport Integrity Australia Chief Executive David Sharpe to step down
3rd May 2024 - Sport Integrity Australia looks to upskill state sporting organisation
27th April 2024 - Swimming Australia and Sport Integrity Australia welcome WADA investigation into Chinese doping
11th March 2024 - Sport Integrity Australia Chief Executive says sporting leaders need to drive cultural reform
8th January 2024 - Federal Government announces Sport Integrity Australia funding package
8th August 2023 - Five sports first to sign up to Sport Integrity Australia’s safeguarding program
8th July 2023 - Sport Integrity Australia commits to inclusion with membership of Pride in Sport
7th July 2023 - Sport Integrity Australia hosts representatives from New Zealand’s Integrity Transition Programme
22nd June 2023 - WAIS provides update on implementation of Sport Integrity Australia report recommendations
15th June 2023 - Sport Integrity Australia launches its Safety in Sport Division
17th April 2023 - Sport Integrity Australia agrees collaboration and service agreement with International Testing Agency
26th June 2023 - Drug Free Sport New Zealand aims ‘to get doping out of sport’
16th October 2019 - Melbourne media cast doubts over ASADA’s handling of Essendon doping scandal
30th July 2019 - ASADA says confidentiality vital to anti-doping process
12th July 2019 - Drug trafficking charges against former AFL coach Mark Thompson dismissed
10th February 2018 - New funding for South Australian sport clubs to tackle drugs menace
25th August 2017 - Cycling champion Jack Bobridge charged with drug dealing
6th May 2017 - NRL rocked by latest drug scandals
22nd March 2017 - Government commits funding to help sporting groups tackle illegal drugs
13th October 2016 - Essendon players lose Swiss Federal Tribunal appeal over doping bans
3rd September 2015 - AFL accused of ‘deceptive conduct’ during Essendon supplements saga
12th May 2015 - World Anti-Doping Agency to appeal AFL anti-doping tribunal’s Essendon verdict
1st April 2015 - AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal finds Essendon players not guilty of using banned peptide
28th May 2014 - ‘Blackest day’ in Australian sport announcement criticised by former world anti-doping head
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
Parkequip is an approved supplier under the NSW LGP Contract 308 for a range of products including play equipment, shade, shelters, safe fall, park furniture and school outdoor seating. All materials…
read moreTrack. Engage. Retain GreeneDesk is a suite of cloud based software solutions helping health clubs, leisure centres and swim schools to effectively track progression, improve customer engagement and…
read moreAflex Inflatables are the leaders for obstacle courses, pool toys, waterparks and land-based watersides and fitness runs. They are industry leaders offering the widest range of pool, lake and beach…
read moreQuayclean are a national cleaning and waste services partner with proven results in the understanding and delivery of cleaning needs and challenges faced by facilities including; major venues and…
read moreJonas Software operates over 110 independently managed software brands around the world, providing them with the strategic guidance and financial security required to be leaders in their respective…
read morePrincipal Consultant Simon Weatherill has spent the last 20 years developing the world renowned Melbourne Sports Hub, as former Chief Executive Officer of the State Sports Centres Trust…
read moreClubware’s online gym software is not your run of the mill management system. It has been carefully designed to incorporate all the elements that a fitness club would need. How did we do that?…
read more@leisure is a team of experienced leisure, aquatic and sports facility managers and planners, with market modelling, sports management, recreation planning, business and GIS qualifications. We have…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!