Integrity

We are committed to integrity in our sport so everyone can enjoy orienteering in a positive and safe way.

What is sport integrity?

Orienteering Australia (OA) takes integrity seriously.

All our members and participants have an obligation to protect and maintain the integrity of our sport, as well as the health and well-being of all people who participate.

We work closely with Sport Integrity Australia to protect our sport against integrity threats.

Reporting integrity issues

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

OA is a signatory to the National Integrity Framework (NIF). This is a suite of integrity policies developed by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA), and an independent complaint handling process. This means concerns or complaints about alleged integrity breaches can be reported directly to Sport Integrity Australia. You do this by filling out the webform on the Sport Integrity Australia website.

OA  handles all non-National Integrity Framework related matters, such as Selection Policy Disputes. You can find more information about who manages what sort of sport complaints here.

Our Integrity Policies

Policy Information

Anti-doping

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 in regard to anti-doping. The Sport Integrity Australia website has a range of information and resources to assist, including:

Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine

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.

For more information, check out the Improper Use of Drugs and Medicines Fact Sheet.

Click here for information to help 13-17 year old’s understand the Improper Use of Drugs and Medicines Policy.

Competition Manipulation and Sports Wagering

Manipulating sports competitions, commonly known as ‘match-fixing’ is when someone alters a sporting competition to remove the unpredictable nature of the competition to obtain an undue advantage, or benefit.

People are motivated to manipulate competitions for reasons such as to get a better draw in a round-robin tournament (often referred to as tanking) or to avoid relegation to a lower competition. Another reason people manipulate competitions is to profit through betting markets by underperforming intentionally.

In Australia, the manipulation of sporting competitions can result in a criminal conviction and up to ten years in jail. Participants of a sport involved in manipulating competitions will likely face a long ban from sport. More information can be found on the Sport Integrity Australia website.

For more information, check out the Competition Manipulation & Sports Wagering Fact Sheet.

Click here for information to help 13-17 year old’s understand Competition Manipulation and Sports Wagering Policy.

Safeguarding

Participation in sport should be safe for all. We are committed to ensuring that people in sport, including children, are treated with respect and dignity. They are protected from bullying, discrimination, harassment or abuse.

The Safeguarding Children and Youth Policy and Member Protection Policy highlights the important legal and governance responsibilities in relation to child safety and member protection.

For more information: Child Safeguarding check out the Child Safeguarding Fact Sheet.

  • Click here for information to help 7-12 year old’s understand the Child Safeguarding Policy.
  • Click here for information to help 13-17 year old’s understand the Child Safeguarding Policy.

For more information: Member Protection check out the Member Protection Fact Sheet.

  • Click here for information to help 7-12 year old’s understand their rights in sport
  • Click here for information to help 13-17 year old’s understand their rights in sport.
  • Click here for information to help 13-17 year old’s understand the Member Protection Policy.

Breaches of Integrity Policies

All alleged breaches in relation to our National Integrity Framework and associated integrity policies will be managed under the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy.

Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy

Our Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy sets out the process for resolving complaints arising from a breach of an eligible policy.

Complaints in relation to breaches under the National Integrity Framework will be managed independently by Sport Integrity Australia.

For more information on the Complaints, Disputes and Disciplines Policy check out the Complaints, Disputes and Disciplines Fact Sheet.

Lodging a Complaint

Below are some simple tips to remember when considering lodging a complaint with Sport Integrity Australia.

  • Anyone can make a complaint.
  • Complaints help us take action against people who aren’t upholding the integrity standards of our sport. By speaking up – you are protecting all other people around you.
  • Only complaints relating to alleged breaches of prohibited conduct under the National Integrity Framework can be submitted to Sport Integrity Australia.
  • Complaints can only be actioned by Sport Integrity Australia if the person who allegedly committed the behaviour is bound by our sport (i.e. they must have agreed to be bound by the policy via membership or agreement).
  • Complaints can only be actioned by Sport Integrity Australia if the alleged conduct occurred after 06 July 2022.
  • Complaints relating to selection, governance, personal grievance, whistleblower or code of conduct are not covered under the National Integrity Framework. Complaints of this nature should be submitted to the OA Integrity Unit.
  • More information is available on the Sport Integrity Australia website

To report a breach of an integrity policy, submit directly to Sport Integrity Australia via:
Sport Integrity Australia website
Phone: 13 000 27232
For all other complaints, report directly to the Orienteering Australia National Integrity Unit via integrity@orienteering.asn.au.

Education, resources and awareness

It is critical that our athletes and support personnel are aware of their rights and responsibilities. There are a range of tools and resources available to help keep participants informed.

Integrity eLearning

Sport Integrity Australia eLearning has seceral online courses relating to sport integrity, including child safeguarding, doping, match fixing, illicit drugs and ethical decision-making courses. There is  a course specifically about the National Integrity Framework. Specific anti-doping courses are available for coaches, support persons, medical practitioners and parents.

Athletes required to complete education should ensure they select ‘orienteering’ as their sport when completing eLearning packages.

Sport Integrity app

The Sport Integrity app is a one-stop shop for all sport integrity needs, downloaded by more than 50,000 Australian athletes and support staff.

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. The app also provides direction on how to raise concerns about things like doping, match-fixing, harassment or illicit drug use. It features further information on eLearning modules, whereabouts and testing information and gives users the opportunity to provide feedback to Sport Integrity Australia.

The app is free and can be downloaded from the Apple and Android app stores.

Prohibited List of substances and methods

The Prohibited List outlines the substances and methods that are prohibited in sport. It is updated annually by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Remember that individual products or brands are not named on the Prohibited List. Athletes should check the status of all medications before they use them on GlobalDRO.

Checking your substances

GlobalDRO allows users to check whether the most commonly prescribed and over-the-counter medicines in Australia are permitted or prohibited in sport.

If an athlete requires use of a prohibited substance to treat a medical condition, the athlete needs to be aware of the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) requirements. For more information on a Therapeutic Use Exemptions visit Sport Integrity Australia’s website.

Play by the Rules

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, inclusion and integrity issues in sport.

Stay up to date on social media

Keep up to date with all that is happening in sport integrity by following Sport Integrity Australia on FacebookTwitter and Instagram or listen to On Side, the official podcast of Sport Integrity Australia.

Integrity