Sports Integrity
What is sport integrity?
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 lacrosse 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.
Lacrosse takes integrity seriously.
All our members and participants have an obligation to protect and maintain the integrity of sport, as well as the health and wellbeing of 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.
Reporting integrity issues
Everyone from athletes, parents, support personnel, administrators and supporters play a role in protecting the integrity of our sport.
In 2022, Lacrosse 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 11/07/20242, 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.
Lacrosse Association (States/National) will continue to handle all non-National Integrity Framework related matters.
Our integrity rules
The following policies commence from the 01/06/2024:
National Integrity Framework
Member Protection
Child Safeguarding
Improper Use of Drugs & Medicines
Competition Manipulation and Sports Wagering
Complaints, Disputes & Discipline
Anti-doping
All policies and guidelines can be found here.
Policy Information
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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:
information about supplements
applying for a Therapeutic Use Exemption
submitting Whereabouts information
information about athlete testing
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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 to access our Improper Use of Drugs & Medicines Policy.
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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
For more information, check out the Competition Manipulation & Sports Wagering Fact Sheet.
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Lacrosse is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all Children that are involved in our sport. Our policies and procedures seek to address risks to child safety and to establish child safe culture and practices.
Lacrosse is committed to keeping Children safe
Lacrosse promotes equity and respect diversity
Lacrosse staff and volunteers know the behaviour we expect
Lacrosse minimises the likelihood of recruiting a person who is unsuitable
Induction and training are part of our commitment
Lacrosse encourages the involvement of Children and their parents
Lacrosse staff and volunteers understand their responsibility for reporting child abuse
Lacrosse maintains and improves our policies and practices
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.
For more information on Child Safeguarding check out the Child Safeguarding Fact Sheet.
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For more information on Member Protection check out the Member Protection Fact Sheet.
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 what a breach under the National Integrity Framework is, check out the Prohibited Conduct Fact Sheet.
For more information on the Complaints, Disputes and Disciplines Policy check out the Complaints, Disputes and Disciplines Fact Sheet.
Click here to access our Complaints, Disputes and Disciplines Policy.
Lodging a Complaint
Below are some simple tips to remember when considering lodging a complaint with Sport Integrity Australia.
- 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 the 11 of July 2022.
- Complaints relating to governance, whistleblower or code of conduct are not covered under the National Integrity Framework. Complaints of this nature should be submitted to your club, state or national body depending on the level/where the alleged breached occurred.
- More information is available on 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
Education, 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 child safeguarding, doping, match fixing, illicit drugs and ethical decision-making courses. There is also a new course specifically about the National Integrity Framework. Specific anti-doping courses are also available for coaches, support persons, medical practitioners and parents.
Athletes required to complete education can submit their ‘eLearning certificate’ to
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
Global DRO 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.
LA Child Safety Resources in Lacrosse
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. These information packs have been put together to provide information and resources to parents, team staff and players to ensure everyone is aware of children’s rights in sport, know where to go if a child is unsafe or needs support, and outlines roles and expectations of people involved in the National Events.
Support Services:
Kids Helpline
Provides confidential telephone and online counselling services to young people aged 5–25 years old for any reason.
1800 551 800 kidshelpline.com.au
Brave hearts
Information and Support Line Open to anyone wanting information, advice, referrals and support regarding child sexual assault.
1800 272 831 bravehearts.org.au
Lifeline
A generalist and crisis telephone counselling, information and referral service, provided by trained volunteers who are supported by professional staff.
Online chat and text services are also available. 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
eheadspace
A free and confidential telephone and online service for young people aged 12–25. Qualified youth mental health professionals provide support to young people worried about their mental health or experiencing issues such as depression, bullying and isolation. Support is also available to concerned parents or carers
1800 650 890 headspace.org.au/eheadspace
1800 RESPECT
A national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for anyone who has experienced, or is at risk of, physical or sexual violence. This service is designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities, Indigenous Australians, young people and individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Online counselling is also available.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) www.1800respect.org.au
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 Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or listen to On Side, the official podcast of Sport Integrity Australia.