Integrity in sport must grow from the ground up
The sports world was shocked by yet another scandal last week when the Parramatta eels were found guilty, according to Todd Greenberg, CEO of the National Rugby League, as "a deliberate, coordinated and sustainable system of fraud on salary caps".
This kind of behavior does not just affect the Major League team. It can have consequences at all levels of the game.
This means that global and national attempts to improve governance and protect sport from corruption require grassroots reach to be effective.
The International Sports Safety Center announced in April of this year the creation of a Global Alliance of 50 Sports Integrity Alliance (SIGA) to drive sports reform.
The turning point for reform was probably the FIFA scandal that has shaken the football world since 2015 with allegations of widespread corruption. SIGA is a neutral coalition of international government and private sector actors committed to good governance and financial transparency in sport.
In Australia, there have been far-reaching changes to restore the integrity of sport and public confidence. Much of this is due to the crisis in Australian sports in 2013, which included the Australian Crime Commission's report on organized crime in sport and the AFL follow-up scandal.
In addition to extending police powers, the Australian Government has established a National Unity for Sport Integrity. The ESSA (Peak Body Exercise & Sports Science Australia) has developed a sports science accreditation system.
Professional sports organizations are increasingly employing Integrity Officers and the market is filling up with courses, workshops and seminars on sports integrity.
There is no doubt that significant international and national efforts will be needed to restore the credibility of the sport. This issue will be at the forefront of today's Integrity in Sport Forum: In Governance we rely on Melbourne, sponsored by Victoria University and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
The Forum will bring together more than 200 Australian elite and community sports governance and integrity officials, as well as business and social leaders. The aim is to discuss ways to tackle a number of challenges related to the integrity of sport.
Research presented at a stakeholder forum in July last year indicated that local communities may not know to what extent performance enhancers and methods, illegal drugs and illegal gambling markets have been filtered down to grassroots level.
Managers, coaches and players who might be aware of them are ready to do something about it. However, they may not know who to contact for more information or to report suspicious behavior.
In a sports sector largely managed by volunteers, there may not be enough time to put in place procedures to prevent and monitor these dubious behaviors and practices.
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This is linked to some of the dangers to athletic integrity. It is not uncommon for exercise load to increase and dietary supplements or other means be used to improve performance or relieve pain and injury. Abuse of players and referees by over-zealous coaches and fans is another symptom.
At the same time, the increase in sports betting, even among juniors, increases the risk of fraud being lost.
The integrity of the sport can be seen as a consistent adherence to the declared standards and principles. These principles differ at the level of elite, school and grassroots sports.
It goes without saying that the value of performance is paramount in elite sports.
However, the educational value of school sports still lies in the acquisition of skills, in fitness and in character formation. The mission statements and leitmotifs of community sports organizations are usually geared to participation, fun, your best, and community building.
The Australian Sports Commission provides resources for the integrity and governance of the sport, as does VicSport and the National Integrity in Sport Unit.
Victoria University is currently working with Sport and Recreation Victoria on a project to improve the integrity of the sport. The aim is to provide state sporting federations and, ultimately, community associations with a practical self-assessment tool that can improve awareness and management of sport integrity risks.
There is no reason why such instruments could not be acquired by other Australian states and territories or even clubs and associations overseas.
More is needed to improve the use of these resources and their effective use by local communities and to secure the sport for the future
This kind of behavior does not just affect the Major League team. It can have consequences at all levels of the game.
This means that global and national attempts to improve governance and protect sport from corruption require grassroots reach to be effective.
The International Sports Safety Center announced in April of this year the creation of a Global Alliance of 50 Sports Integrity Alliance (SIGA) to drive sports reform.
The turning point for reform was probably the FIFA scandal that has shaken the football world since 2015 with allegations of widespread corruption. SIGA is a neutral coalition of international government and private sector actors committed to good governance and financial transparency in sport.
In Australia, there have been far-reaching changes to restore the integrity of sport and public confidence. Much of this is due to the crisis in Australian sports in 2013, which included the Australian Crime Commission's report on organized crime in sport and the AFL follow-up scandal.
In addition to extending police powers, the Australian Government has established a National Unity for Sport Integrity. The ESSA (Peak Body Exercise & Sports Science Australia) has developed a sports science accreditation system.
Professional sports organizations are increasingly employing Integrity Officers and the market is filling up with courses, workshops and seminars on sports integrity.
There is no doubt that significant international and national efforts will be needed to restore the credibility of the sport. This issue will be at the forefront of today's Integrity in Sport Forum: In Governance we rely on Melbourne, sponsored by Victoria University and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
The Forum will bring together more than 200 Australian elite and community sports governance and integrity officials, as well as business and social leaders. The aim is to discuss ways to tackle a number of challenges related to the integrity of sport.
From the bottom up
These coordinated efforts are needed to combat doping, match-fixing, financial corruption and other threats to the integrity of sport. However, local support requires more support.Research presented at a stakeholder forum in July last year indicated that local communities may not know to what extent performance enhancers and methods, illegal drugs and illegal gambling markets have been filtered down to grassroots level.
Managers, coaches and players who might be aware of them are ready to do something about it. However, they may not know who to contact for more information or to report suspicious behavior.
In a sports sector largely managed by volunteers, there may not be enough time to put in place procedures to prevent and monitor these dubious behaviors and practices.
From top to bottom
Moreover, the performance ethos, which may be appropriate at the level of elite sports, has gradually deteriorated to grassroots level.This is linked to some of the dangers to athletic integrity. It is not uncommon for exercise load to increase and dietary supplements or other means be used to improve performance or relieve pain and injury. Abuse of players and referees by over-zealous coaches and fans is another symptom.
At the same time, the increase in sports betting, even among juniors, increases the risk of fraud being lost.
The integrity of the sport can be seen as a consistent adherence to the declared standards and principles. These principles differ at the level of elite, school and grassroots sports.
It goes without saying that the value of performance is paramount in elite sports.
However, the educational value of school sports still lies in the acquisition of skills, in fitness and in character formation. The mission statements and leitmotifs of community sports organizations are usually geared to participation, fun, your best, and community building.
Leadership from above
One way forward is for the sports federations to take the lead and provide additional resources to help local sports clubs "lead the conversation", ie to uphold the values and principles that are appropriate for grassroots sport.The Australian Sports Commission provides resources for the integrity and governance of the sport, as does VicSport and the National Integrity in Sport Unit.
Victoria University is currently working with Sport and Recreation Victoria on a project to improve the integrity of the sport. The aim is to provide state sporting federations and, ultimately, community associations with a practical self-assessment tool that can improve awareness and management of sport integrity risks.
There is no reason why such instruments could not be acquired by other Australian states and territories or even clubs and associations overseas.
More is needed to improve the use of these resources and their effective use by local communities and to secure the sport for the future
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