Touch Football Australia Adopts National Integrity Framework

Touch Football Australia (TFA) has joined other national sporting bodies in joining the National Integrity Framework (NIF) established by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA).

SIA and TFA have been working together over the last 18-months on the adoption of the National Integrity Framework and at the July TFA Board of Directors meeting the motion was passed to adopt the full suite of policies under the National Integrity Framework.

The Framework provides clarity and consistency on integrity issues at all levels of the sport nationwide. Included in the Framework are new policies for:

• Child Safeguarding;
• Member Protection;
• Improper use of Drugs and Medicine; and 
• Competition Manipulation and Sports Wagering.

Importantly, by fully adopting the Framework Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy matters and/or breaches of all policies will now be handled by an independent body. This ensures that complaints of a serious nature are handled independently and transparently through Sport Integrity Australia or the National Sports Tribunal.

TFA CEO Jamie O'Connor supported the transition.

"This framework enables us to provide the best practice policies and protection frameworks for our people." O'Connor said.

"The independent nature of the NIF ensures complete transparency and ensures a fair and correct process for all concerned when dealing with complaints or serious matters. It also alleviates some of the pressure on volunteers by having a body of experts handling these such matters."

The National Integrity Framework supersedes several pre-existing TFA policies, including the National Match-Fixing Policy, Member Protection Policy, and the Sports Science and Sports Medicine Framework, with immediate effect. Affiliates and competitions are encouraged to update any reference to old policies ASAP.

The new policies are available on the TFA website here.

TFA is currently working with NSW Touch Football and Queensland Touch Football to implement the framework at state-level in these locations. For further information regarding the Framework, please contact National Education and Policy Manager James Sharp: james.sharp@touchfootball.com.au