What is Sport Integrity?

Sport is an Australian way of life. It brings people together, regardless of any differences in language, ability, culture and beliefs, and provides physical, social and economic benefits.

For those reasons, it’s critical that we keep Volleyball safe and fair, for everyone who participates.

Threats to sports integrity include things like illicit drug use, doping, competition-manipulation and behaviours that impact people’s positive experience of sport, such as discrimination or abuse.

Integrity in sport means that athletes, supporters and fans can participate and celebrate sport, confident in the knowledge that they are part of a safe, fair and inclusive environment.

Volleyball Australia takes integrity seriously.

All our members and participants have an obligation to protect and maintain the integrity of sport, as well as the health and wellbeing of people who participate.

We work closely with Sport Integrity Australia, the national agency established to protect sport against integrity threats. For more information visit the Sport Integrity Australia website.

Our Integrity Rules

VA has a range of policies which apply to anyone involved in our sport. All participants, coaches, referees and spectators should familiarise themselves with the policies which apply to you:

Member Protection
• Child Safeguarding
• Improper Use of Drugs & Medicines
• Competition Manipulation and Sports Wagering
• Complaints, Disputes & Discipline
• Anti-doping
Code of Conduct
Personal Grievances Policy
Social Media Policy
Conduct & Disciplinary Policy
Reviews & Appeals Policy

 

Policy Information

Anti-doping

Anti-doping rules apply to all participants of our sport from elite down to grassroots. All members must be aware of, and have a basic understanding of, their obligations in regard to anti-doping. The Sport Integrity Australia website has a range of information and resources to assist, including:

 

• information about supplements
• applying for a Therapeutic Use Exemption
• submitting Whereabouts information
• information about athlete testing
• Clean Sport is Your Responsibility. Information on how to download the Sport Integrity Australia app
• There are 11 Anti-Doping Rule Violations. Find out more in this informative factsheet

 

VA has adopted the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy as it’s Anti-Doping Policy. 

Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine

The improper use of drugs and medicine in sport, including the use of supplements and the provision by unqualified and unauthorised people are a risk to the health of athlete and the integrity of sport.

 

To counter these risks, we have put in place an Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy which ensures:

• Medical practitioners working in our sport are accredited and qualified to fulfil their duties
• Medicines are used in appropriate ways
• Safe use of supplements which comply with the World Anti-Doping Code
• Illegal drug use is prohibited in our sport

Competition Manipulation and Sports Wagering

Manipulating sports competitions, commonly known as ‘match-fixing’ is when someone alters a sporting competition to remove the unpredictable nature of the competition to obtain an undue advantage, or benefit.

 

People are motivated to manipulate competitions for a variety of reasons such as to get a better draw in a round-robin tournament (often referred to as tanking) or to avoid relegation to a lower competition. Another reason people manipulate competitions is to profit through betting markets by underperforming intentionally.

 

In Australia, the manipulation of sporting competitions can also result in a criminal conviction and up to ten years in jail. Participants of a sport involved in manipulating competitions will also likely face a long ban from sport. More information can be found on the Sport Integrity Australia website.

Safeguarding

Participation in sport should be safe for all. We are committed to ensuring that people in sport, including children, are treated with respect dignity and are protected from bullying, discrimination, harassment or abuse.

 

The Child Safeguarding and Member Protection Policies highlight the important legal and governance responsibilities in relation to child safety and member protection.

 

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

 

Understand the reporting requirements for breaches of VA’s Child Safeguarding Policy. 

 

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For more information on the Do’s and Don’ts of Child Safeguarding check out the Child Safe Practices booklet

 

For more information on Child Safeguarding check out the Child Safeguarding Fact Sheet.

 

For more information on Member Protection check out the Member Protection Fact Sheet.

Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy

Our Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy sets out the process for resolving complaints arising from a breach of an eligible policy.

 

Complaints in relation to breaches under the National Integrity Framework will be managed independently by Sport Integrity Australia.

 

For more information on what a breach under the National Integrity Framework is, check out the Prohibited Conduct Fact Sheet.

 

For more information on the Complaints, Disputes and Disciplines Policy check out the Complaints, Disputes and Disciplines Fact Sheet.

Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct applies to everyone who participates in our sport – that includes staff, volunteers, coaches, referees and athletes.

 

Our Code of Conduct sets out the expected behaviours that everyone engaged in Volleyball is expected to adhere too. Misconduct or disciplinary matters will be dealt with under the Conduct & Disciplinary Policy.

Personal Grievances Policy

Our Personal Grievances Policy is used to resolve interpersonal conflicts and disputes that arise in the context of their involvement in sport.

 

NOTE: Personal Grievances are matters which do not meet the threshold of a member protection breach such as abuse, bullying or harassment.

Conduct & Disciplinary Policy

The Conduct and Disciplinary Policy sets out the dispute resolution process that Volleyball Australia will follow upon receipt of a dispute or misconduct.