THE EVOLUTION OF
COMPLAINT HANDLING IN SPORT The concept of an independent organisation managing complaints for Australian sporting organisations is still relatively new and has evolved rapidly in the past 18 months. Here we look at how the need for independent complaint management came about, why it is important and the future of complaint handling in Australian sport. THE CATALYST When Sport Integrity Australia opened its doors in July 2020, its role was to bring together existing integrity functions from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), the National Integrity of Sport Unit and Sport Australia into one central agency. Although it was established to be the central coordination point for information about integrity threats in Australia, there was no initial intent for the agency to receive complaints in sport or to investigate breaches of sport policy. Then, in the same week Sport Integrity Australia came into existence, the sporting world watched the Athlete A documentary in disbelief, as the harrowing abuse of gymnasts under the care of USA Gymnastics became clear. What followed was a watershed moment for sport.
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SPORT INTEGRITY MATTERS | ISSUE 8
