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Committed to embedding sport integrity into state sporting organisations and grassroots sport , Sport Integrity Australia has reported on the success of its latest Managing Integrity in Sport short course.

Conducted for Victorian state sporting organisations to help them address and manage integrity issues in their sport, the three-day course, was attended by chief executives and executives from 32 Victorian State Sport Associations (SSAs).

Co-hosted by Victoria University and funded by the Victorian Government, the course covered a wide selection of topics including deep dives into sport integrity policies, key notes on understanding grooming in sport and mental health in sport as well as role play scenarios on initial action in complaint management.

Advising that the initiative helps create a strong integrity legacy in Victoria sport, Victorian Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence stated “we expect the highest standards of integrity across all levels of sport (and) are investing in upskilling our sport workforce and volunteers, so they are confident and prepared to manage a range of integrity related incidents.”

Noting that while each sport will have its own integrity needs, Athletics Victoria Chief Executive, Matthew Duck says there are valuable takeaways for SSOs, especially where child protection is concerned.

Duck advised “I would whole heartedly encourage anybody to come along to a similar session and I know speaking to others in the cohort that they share a similar sentiment across the board, I think everyone has taken a lot of value across these three days.

“The child safe space is obviously heavily discussed in our areas, but the additional detail and nuance that the course has gone into has been particularly helpful and I’ve taken a lot away from that.”

Rugby League Victoria General Manager Brent Silva says the course is relevant for sports of all levels and participation by SSOs is helping to create a community of sport integrity leaders.

Silva noted “(it’s) a fantastic course to get across the breadth and depth of integrity issues that are relevant to sport both from elite level right to community level.

“It was fantastic to be able to connect with other likeminded individuals from other sports as well.”

Alexis Cooper, Sport Integrity Australia’s Director of Education, says the agency is working with other State Governments to explore similar offerings to SSOs around the country in future, adding “the Victorian Government should be praised for their significant commitment to their SSAs in this area, and their leadership in promoting sport integrity at a state level.”

The next intake for Victorian SSAs will be scheduled for later this year.

Images: Attendees from 32 Victorian state sport associations at last week’s course.

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