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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 and is committed to safeguarding our sport.
All our members and participants have an obligation to protect and maintain the integrity of paddling, as well as the health and wellbeing of others within the sport.
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.
Education, resources and awareness
When it comes to sport integrity, it is critical that everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Sport Integrity Australia provides a range of resources and eLearning courses relating to sport integrity, including doping, match fixing, illicit drugs and ethical decision-making. Specific anti-doping courses are also available for coaches, support persons, medical practitioners and parents. Keep up to date with all that is happening in sport integrity by following Sport Integrity Australia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or listen to On Side, the official podcast of Sport Integrity Australia.
The Sport Integrity app (free to download from the Apple and Android app stores) is a one-stop shop for all sport integrity needs, designed with athletes in mind. The app allows users to check whether their medications are banned in sport, find low risk supplements to reduce their change of testing positive accidentally, and check whether they need a Therapeutic Use Exemption.
In relation to anti-doping, the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List is updated annually to outline the substances and methods that are prohibited in sport. Global DRO allows users to check whether the most commonly prescribed and over-the-counter medicines in Australia are permitted or prohibited in sport.
Play by the Rules provides information, resources, tools and free online training to administrators, coaches, officials, players, parents and spectators to assist them in preventing and dealing with discrimination, harassment, child safety, inclusion and integrity issues in sport. Particular resources are available for Community Child Safe Sport including the Start to Talk Campaign.
