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The Swimming Australia Board has agreed to work towards adopting the National Integrity Framework, including the operation of an independent complaints handling process to be managed by Sport Integrity Australia.

Since early 2021, Sport Integrity Australia and Swimming Australia have been working together on Swimming Australia’s adoption of the National Integrity Framework, with a Board vote yesterday seen as a major milestone in that process.

Swimming Australia has authorised Sport Integrity Australia to manage serious integrity complaints raised within the sport. It will now work collaboratively with Sport Integrity Australia on the finalisation of the NIF policies and procedures for swimming, the implementation and embedding of which will take some time.

Both organisations are committed to the protection of integrity in sport and working together towards the implementation of this framework that will continue to drive meaningful and positive cultural change within the sport.

Swimming Australia President Kieren Perkins has met regularly with Sport Integrity Australia Chief Executive, David Sharpe in recent months to work through what the decision would mean for Swimming Australia.

Advising that the decision by the board overnight was a further step in the right direction following the announcement of the independent panel to look into issues relating to the sport, Perkins stated “working more closely with Sport Integrity Australia reinforces the hard work Swimming Australia has already done in staying at the forefront of member protection and safe sport.

“We look forward to continuing being a leading sport working with Sport Integrity Australia on the development and implementation of the National Integrity Framework.”

Welcoming the move, which he sees as making athletes the “winners”, Sharpe added “I commend the Board for taking this important step which will mean that athletes and participants can have confidence that their complaints will be addressed independently.

“This will also mean a stronger working relationship for us with swimming, one of Australia’s largest participation sports, on integrity matters generally.

“I look forward to continuing to working on these reforms with Kieren and newly appointed interim CEO Eugenie Buckley who joins the Sport Integrity Australia CEO Advisory Panel. Eugenie’s appointment represents a real coup for Swimming Australia - having someone with her experience and understanding of the industry at the helm during this period will be of great benefit to the sport.”

Image: Swimming Australia President Kieren Perkins.

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