Integrity Policies

Sport is an Australian way of life. It brings people together, regardless of any differences in language, ability, culture and beliefs, and provides physical, social and economic benefits.

For those reasons, it’s critical that we keep Touch Football safe and fair, for everyone who participates.

Threats to sports integrity include things like illicit drug use, doping, competition-manipulation and behaviours that impact people’s positive experience of sport, such as discrimination or abuse.

Integrity in sport means that athletes, supporters and fans can participate and celebrate sport, confident in the knowledge that they are part of a safe, fair and inclusive environment.

Touch Football Australia takes integrity seriously and is proud to have adopted the National Integrity Framework in partnership with Sport Integrity Australia. Included in the Framework are a suite of integrity policies developed by Sport Integrity Australia, and an independent complaint handling process.

All members and participants have an obligation to protect and maintain the integrity of touch football, as well as the health and wellbeing of the people who participate. We work closely with Sport Integrity Australia, the national agency established to protect sport against integrity threats. For more information visit the Sport Integrity Australia website.

The Australian Anti-Doping Policy applies 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 regarding anti-doping. The Sport Integrity Australia website has a range of information and resources to assist, including:

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; and
• Illegal drug use is prohibited in our sport.

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

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

The Child Safeguarding and Member Protection highlight the important legal and governance responsibilities in relation to child safety and member protection.

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

In 2022, Touch Football Australia (TFA) signed up to the National Integrity Framework, which is a suite of integrity policies developed by Sport Integrity Australia, and an independent complaint handling process.

This means that from July 2022, concerns or complaints about alleged integrity breaches can be reported directly to Sport Integrity Australia by filling out the webform on the Sport Integrity Australia website.

TFA will continue to handle all non-National Integrity Framework related matters, such as breaches of the Code of Conduct and in-game incidents breaching the rules of the game. You can find more information about who manages what sort of sport complaints here

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

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

• Anyone can make a complaint.
• Complaints help us act 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 July 2022
• Complaints relating to selections, governance, personal grievances, whistleblower or code of conduct are not covered under the National Integrity Framework. Complaints of this nature should be submitted via complaints@touchfootball.com.au
• 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 complaints@touchfootball.com.au