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An unregulated Sports Science industry is contributing to an environment where sports scientists operated with unprecedented powers, resulting in a ticking time-bomb that sporting codes could have defused, according to Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

ESSA Board Director Professor David Bishop, who is also Research Leader for Sport at the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL) at Victoria University, has issued a statement as a result of the ongoing controversies surrounding sports science in Australia.

The statement from Professor Bishop reads:

"The most recent scandal to rock the Australian sporting world continues to take its toll as more NRL clubs are being exposed and team sponsors withdraw millions of dollars of support as a result of the ASADA anti-doping investigation.

"With the Cronulla Sharks now beginning their season without a stadium, jersey or sleeve sponsor and major sponsors Telstra announcing that it will reassess its support of Australian sport if there has been 'untoward behaviour' in terms of drug taking and match-fixing, this scandal is now costing sporting codes in more serious ways than just reputation.

"But the very real threat amidst the current crisis is that of the health and safety of athletes. The very possibility of serious health issues arising amongst the players should be our major concern and is the ticking time-bomb that many sports codes could have defused with regulation.

"ESSA fails to understand how this scandal's significant impact not only on the perception of Australian sport but on the fan base, players and bottom-line of professional clubs has not yet led all stakeholders to initiate discussions on the compulsory accreditation of sports scientists.

"We continue to respond to a flurry of media enquiries questioning how individuals with such a significant responsibility for the health and well-being of our professional sports people can operate in an environment that does not demand professional accreditation as a means of verifying their veracity.

"While players are the ones paying the price for using banned substances – often unknowingly – ESSA believes the onus should not rest solely on the player to determine whether the club's sports scientists are trustworthy. It is the club's responsibility to appoint a high performance team that is qualified, reputable, operates with integrity and considers the player's health as the first priority; there can not simply be blind faith in unaccredited sports scientists.

"Recent events have highlighted that sports scientists arguably have the greatest contact with and influence over athletes, yet they are the only member of the high-performance team that is not required to be accredited by a professional body.

"We once again call on the government and representatives from all sporting codes to place the fight for integrity in sport at the top of the agenda, and this must include ensuring that only accredited sport scientists are allowed to work with professional clubs.

"ESSA has been calling for compulsory accreditation for over two decades and our robust accreditation system has been in place for nearly a quarter of a century and has attracted over 3,500 members. The public must surely be asking how many players have been put at risk, how many millions of dollars have clubs lost and how much has the reputation of Australian sport suffered due to the government and various codes' lack of foresight in adopting ESSA accreditation.

"As a single regulator, ESSA can deliver benefits to both sports and government bodies. We can offer a clear definition of 'sports scientist' national registration; the lack of clarity at present leads to confusion for sports, athletes, governments, agencies and employers. Our regulation structure also provides recognition of qualifications, minimum entry standards, assurance of practice standards, a code of conduct and ethics and an avenue for complaints. "In this respect, accredited sports scientists are required to adhere to similar standards

to the medical profession, which puts the duty of care to the athlete as a priority.

"Exercise & Sports Science Australia has made every attempt to lobby regulators and sporting bodies to this effect but has been disappointed at the lack of response from key stakeholders embroiled in this saga. We and the public would expect the government to respond to our requests to initiate discussions surrounding this issue given the severity of the situation.

"When the sporting industry is ready to contribute to a unified solution, we are prepared to move forward together at once."

Exercise & Sports Science Australia is the peak professional body for exercise and sports science in Australia and provides national leadership and advocacy on key issues. It supports over 3,500 members and the community through fostering excellence in professional practice, education, training and research.

For more information go to www.essa.org.au

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