Paddle Australia

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.
It is critical that we keep paddling, both as a sport and recreation, 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.
Paddle 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.
To provide sports at all levels with guidance in the integrity space, Sport Integrity Australia has developed, and Paddle Australia has adopted, a suite of 6 policies under the National Integrity Framework.

Each policy covers Definitions, Jurisdiction, Prohibited Conduct and Obligations. The items Prohibited Conduct and Obligations are important as they detail the behaviours and expectations placed on participants and organisations.

Reporting integrity issues

Everyone from athletes, paddlers, parents, support personnel, administrators and supporters play a role in protecting the integrity of our sport.

Paddle Australia has adopted the National Integrity Framework, which provides a suite of integrity policies developed by Sport Integrity Australia, coupled with an independent complaint handling process. This means that, from 1 July 2022, concerns or complaints about alleged breaches of those policies are to be reported directly to Sport Integrity Australia.

Paddle Australia will continue to manage all non-National Integrity Framework related matters. We have developed a set of complementary policies, also effective from 1 July 2022.

Please see below for more information about Lodging a Complaint.

Education, resources and awareness

When it comes to sport integrity, it is critical that our paddlers and support personnel are aware of their rights and responsibilities. There are a range of tools and resources available to help keep participants informed. Click Here for more information.

Sport Integrity Australia has also developed specific information for sporting organisations and members.

National Integrity Framework

Paddle Australia seeks to take a proactive approach to mitigate the integrity threats to paddling in Australia and to provide a safe, fair, and trustworthy environment for all Participants at all levels and disciplines of paddling.

The National Integrity Framework is one of Paddle Australia’s responses to the threats to the integrity of paddling and sets out the broad expectations for the conduct of all Participants in paddling, including procedures for managing, reporting, investigating and determining potential breaches of its Integrity Policies.

Click Here to view the National Integrity Framework
Click here to view the National Integrity Framework Factsheet
Click here to view the Prohibited Conduct Fact Sheet

Anti-Doping Policy

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 regarding 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

Click Here to view more information on Anti-Doping

Member Protection Policy

Paddle Australia is committed to ensuring that everyone involved with paddling is treated with respect and dignity and is protected from abuse, bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, unlawful discrimination, victimisation, and vilification.

This Policy seeks to ensure that everyone involved in paddling is aware of their rights and responsibilities. This Policy sets out the standards of behaviour expected of those involved in paddling and the behaviours that are not acceptable.

Click Here to view Member Protection Policy
Click here to view the Member Protection Policy Fact Sheet

Child Safeguarding Policy

Paddling has a zero-tolerance policy to child abuse and neglect in any form.

Paddle Australia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Children in Paddling by providing a safe and inclusive environment and by ensuring that everyone involved in Paddling is educated and informed of their responsibilities to protect and look after Children.

All Children have the right to feel safe and protected from all forms of abuse, harm, and neglect. Children have the right to take part in sport in a safe, positive, and enjoyable environment.

Paddle Australia aims to create and maintain an inclusive, child-safe environment that is understood, endorsed, implemented, and adhered to by everyone involved in Paddling.

This Policy is part of Paddle Australia’s proactive and preventative approach to upholding its commitment to the safety, wellbeing, participation and empowerment of all Children who access Paddling.

This Policy seeks to ensure that everyone involved in Paddling is aware of their rights and responsibilities in relation to Children. This Policy sets out the standards of behaviour expected of those involved in Paddling and the behaviours that are not acceptable.

Click Here to view the Child Safeguarding Policy

Click Here to view the Child Safeguarding South Australian Addendum
Click here to view the Child Safeguarding Legislation and Standards Fact Sheet
Click here to view the Child Safeguarding Policy Fact Sheet
Click here to view the Child Protection Reporting Information Fact Sheet
Click here to view the Child Safe Practices Do’s and Don’ts
Click here to view the Responding and Reporting to a Breach of the Child Safeguarding Policy Flowchart

Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy

The Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy:

• Is a collaboration between Paddle Australia, Sport Integrity Australia and the National Sports Tribunal that will provide an independent, transparent, and fair complaint management system for all involved in Paddling.
• Sets out the process for resolving complaints and disciplinary action arising from an individual or organisation engaging in prohibited conduct under the National Integrity Framework and associated integrity policies including child safeguarding, member protection, competition manipulation, sports wagering and misuse of drugs and medicine.
• Only manages complaints in relation to the National Integrity Framework and does not manage complaints in relation to eligibility and selection, competition-related rules, personal grievances, code of conduct or governance matters.

The Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy has been designed to ensure sport integrity related complaints are dealt with efficiently and effectively and that all involved in Paddling have confidence that prohibited conduct will be managed via the most appropriate resolution and discipline mechanism.

Click Here to view the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy
Click here to view the Complaints Disputes and Discipline Policy Fact Sheet
Click here to view the Steps in Complaints Handling Fact Sheet

Competition Manipulation and Sport Wagering Policy

The manipulation of sporting competitions and related activities undermines the integrity of sport. Manipulating sporting competitions can be a crime and punishable by law.

This Policy prescribes prohibited conduct which constitutes a breach, as well as offences which must be reported to Paddle Australia.

Through this Policy, Paddle Australia aims to ensure that its core values, good reputation and positive behaviours and attitudes are maintained.

Click Here to view the Competition Manipulation and Sport Wagering Policy
Click here to view the Competition Manipulation and Sports Wagering Policy Fact Sheet

Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy

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

Click Here to view the Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy
Click here to view the Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy Fact Sheet

Lodging a Complaint

Below are some simple tips to remember when considering lodging a complaint.

• Anyone can make a complaint.
• Complaints enable action to be taken when people do not uphold the integrity standards of our sport. By speaking up, you are protecting others around you.

Please visit the Sport Integrity Australia website for answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Reporting an Integrity Issue.

Lodging a Complaint with Sport Integrity Australia

A complaint is eligible to be assessed by Sport Integrity Australia under the independent complaint handling process if it meets the following criteria:

1. The alleged conduct meets the definition of Prohibited Conduct under any of the following policies:
   • • • Child Safeguarding Policy
       • Competition Manipulation and Sports Wagering Policy
       • Improper Use of Drugs and Medicines Policy
       • Member Protection Policy
       • National Integrity Framework
2. The alleged Prohibited Conduct occurred in sport.
3. The alleged Prohibited Conduct occurred after Paddle Australia commenced the National Integrity Framework (1 July 2022).
4. The person or organisation accused of wrongdoing is currently bound by Paddle Australia’s policies (that is, they must have agreed to be bound by membership or agreement).

To make a complaint, complete the online form on the Sport Integrity Australia website or telephone 1300 027 232.

Lodging a Complaint with Paddle Australia

The National Integrity Framework does not cover the following matters, which are managed by Paddle Australia and the subject of separate policies available on the Paddle Australia website:

• Reportable Conduct (i.e. Whistleblowing)
• Selection
• Personal Grievances
• Governance
• Code of Behaviour

A Whistleblower wishing to report “Reportable Conduct” under the Paddle Australia Whistleblower Policy and Procedure must do so by notifying an Eligible Recipient. The preferred Eligible Recipient is the Paddle Australia CEO: ceo@paddle.org.au. While any person may be a Whistleblower under this policy, Reportable Conduct is limited to information about Paddle Australia “Workers” (e.g. employees and contractors); this policy does not apply to Paddle Australia members.

The Paddle Australia Conduct and Disciplinary Policy deals with conduct and disciplinary matters arising under policies that do not form part of the National Integrity Framework (e.g. breaches of the Code of Behaviour Policy). To make a complaint, complete the Complaint Form and submit a copy to the Proper Recipient (see clause 3.4). If you are unsure about the Proper Recipient, submit a copy to integrity@paddle.org.au, and the Complaints Manager may seek to refer it to a more appropriate level.

“Personal Grievances” are dealt with under the Paddle Australia Personal Grievances Policy. Personal Grievance means interpersonal conflict or disputes that fall short of the threshold for abuse, bullying, harassment, or sexual misconduct under the Paddle Australia Member Protection Policy or do not otherwise engage applicable rules, policies or by-laws.  Personal Grievances will generally be handled by management at the level of the sport at which they arise (but may be referred to the next level up if the organisation is a party to the Grievance).  An independent person or the National Sports Tribunal may facilitate a resolution, subject to the parties’ agreement.

Selection disputes are dealt with under the applicable selection policy, such as the Paddle Australia Selection Procedures Policy.

All other non-disciplinary matters are dealt with under the Paddle Australia Review and Appeals Policy.

Click here to access the Incident Management Process Flowchart.

Enquiries

Please contact the Paddle Australia Integrity Manager (integrity@paddle.org.au or 0426 363 302) with any general integrity-related enquiries including about the National Integrity Framework.