Sport Integrity

We take sport integrity seriously and have the following policies in place:

• Anti-doping
• Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy
• Member Protection Policy
• Child Safeguarding Policy
• Competition Manipulation and Sport Wagering Policy
• Complaints and Disputes
• Code of Conduct

All policies and guidelines can be found on our policy page.

The National Integrity Framework outlines rules that all members of SCA need to follow regarding behaviour and conduct in sport

The National Integrity Framework provides resources for the following areas:

• Anti-Doping
• Therapeutic Use Exemption
• Education
• Intelligence
• Match-Fixing/Competition Manipulation
• Safeguarding
• Sports Wagering
• Research

As an Olympic Sport, Sport Climbing is now subject to anti doping controls, managed by Sport Integrity Australia. Anti-doping plays an important part in keeping competitors safe and competitions fair.  Sports Climbing Australia is working with Sport Integrity Australia to keep the sport clean.  Drug testing may take place at any national competition and members of the Australian Team are also subject to random testing in and out of the competition season.

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

• anti-doping policy
• information about supplements
• applying for a Therapeutic Use Exemption
• submitting Whereabouts information
• information about athlete testing

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

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

A common example is when an athlete places bets on a pre-arranged outcome, such as deliberately losing a match, and profits from the winnings. Another is when a team or athlete withdraws from an event or competition before or during an event and benefits financially to do so. 

In most Australian states and territories, 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 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.

Our policies are available HERE.

All breaches in relation to integrity policies (except for Anti-Doping and Protected Disclosures under the Whistle blower Policy), will be managed using the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy.

Our Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy sets out the framework for resolving complaints, disputes and disciplinary action arising from a grievance, or an individual or organisation breaching an eligible policy of the sport. It works in combination with our other integrity policies that set out the required behaviour, or prohibit unacceptable behaviour. 

The policy provides a number of options to resolve:

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Minor Breach Procedure
• Breach Offer or Hearing Tribunal (internal or via the National Sports Tribunal). 

Reporting integrity issues

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

If you see something, say something!

Knowledge of, or concerns regarding integrity-related matters can be reported in several ways:

Matters relating to harassment (including sexual harassment), discrimination, child protection, or any other form of misconduct should be raised with us in the first instance by contacting any of the Sport Climbing Australia Board Members (contact emails).

Matters relating to doping, corruption, fraud, match-fixing should be reported to Sport Integrity Australia through one of these methods:

• Filling in an anonymous web form on the Sport Integrity Australia website
• Emailing reporting@sportintegrity.gov.au
• Phoning 13 000 27232
• Completing the ‘report an issue’ form in the Sport Integrity App. This can be anonymous if you choose.

Resources and awareness

When it comes to sport integrity, 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 offers a number of online courses relating to sport integrity, including doping, match fixing, illicit drugs and ethical decision making courses. Specific anti-doping courses are also available for coaches, support persons, medical practitioners and parents.

Please be aware of the following requirements:

• All members of the Australian Open and Youth Team should complete the Anti-doping fundamentals and Annual Update anti-doping course.  Athletes required to complete education can submit their ‘eLearning certificate’ to info@sportclimbingaustralia.org.au
• All Open A (adult) competitors and Youth competitors aged 14 years and over aspiring to join the Australian National Team should complete the Anti-doping fundamentals course. If you have previously completed Anti-doping fundamentals ( Level 1), we suggest completing the Annual Update as a refresher on integrity education. This course is updated towards the end of each year.
• All other competitors at a state and national level are recommended to take a look at the Anti-doping fundamentals course so they can learn the basics of anti-doping, including how to check substances and what the doping control process looks like.

The Sport Integrity app is a one-stop shop for all sport integrity needs, designed with athletes in mind.

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 is also a tool to raise concerns about things like doping, match-fixing, harassment or illicit drug use. It also 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.

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, child safety, inclusion and integrity issues in sport.

National Integrity Framework

• National Integrity Framework
• Member Protection Policy
• Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy
• Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy
• Competition Manipulation and Sport Wagering Policy
• Child Safeguarding Policy
• Child Safeguarding Policy - SA Addendum

National Sport Tribunal Policies

• NST Code of Conduct
• NST Conduct and Disciplinary Policies
• NST Review and Appeals Policy
• NST Personal Grievances Policy
• Antidoping Education Plan