The QAS approach to sport integrity

If there is an emergency or immediate danger to a QAS-supported athlete, individuals are urged to contact emergency services.

Non-emergency safeguarding concerns, can be reported to the QAS through the athlete safeguarding report form.

Athletes, coaches, and staff members can reach out to the QAS Sport Integrity Manager for assistance:

Tamarah Knox
0475 373 077
QAS.safeguarding@dtis.qld.gov.au

Athletes have the option to report integrity concerns to their respective national sporting organisations. These organisations are dedicated to upholding the integrity of their sports and can address a wide range of integrity issues.

Find a National Sporting Organisations or National Sporting Organisations for People with Disability contact.

Sport Integrity Australia can receive reports that relate to doping, child safeguarding or discrimination in sport. Use the Confidential Reporting Scheme form to submit information anonymously to Sport Integrity Australia.

Safeguarding is about creating a safe, fair and inclusive environment for everyone involved in sport, especially athletes, that is free from abuse, discrimination or harassment. Safeguarding is focused on changing the culture of sport, stopping poor behaviour and providing avenues for people to raise and report their concerns.

QAS Athlete Safeguarding Statement of Commitment

The QAS is committed to the safety and wellbeing of QAS supported athletes.

We aim to create an environment where athletes of any age, background and ability can thrive, with the resources and support to reach their full potential.

We have zero tolerance of any harm or abuse and will work actively to prevent it.

We will take concerns about athlete safety and wellbeing seriously and will respond sensitively and promptly.

We prioritise the safety of all QAS supported athletes, and we recognise athletes under the age of 18 require additional protections.

We will listen to our athletes, their families and our QAS community and continuously improve how we operate, always seeking to be better.

Ensuring athlete and staff education on safeguarding is crucial. The QAS provides education resources and may require completion of Sport Integrity Australia's safeguarding online courses. These courses offer comprehensive education on safeguarding practices and are easily accessible.

Visit the Sport Integrity Australia website for further information on the safeguarding education they offer.

The QAS Anti-Doping Policy (2021) (PDF, 322KB) aligns with international standards set by WADA and is enforced to maintain fair competition. Sport Integrity Australia collaborates with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), to strengthen anti-doping practices globally. Athletes are encouraged to stay informed about anti-doping requirements and can access educational resources through Sport Integrity Australia's e-learning hub.

Anti-Doping resources

• World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) – WADA's primary role is to develop and coordinate anti-doping rules and policies across all sports and countries.
• World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) – is the ‘policy’ that guides the World Anti-Doping Program in ensuring athletes can participate in fair and doping-free sport.
• Global DRO Check your substances – provides athletes and support personnel with information about the prohibited status of medications based on the current WADA Prohibited List.
• Sport Integrity Australia – is Australia’s leading sport integrity agency providing advice and assistance to sports to ensure sport is safe and fair for all.
• Sport Integrity Australia Act 2020 – is the Act in which Sport Integrity Australia operates under

Competition manipulation is a deliberate act to influence or alter the outcome of a sporting event or competition for a specific benefit. This practice threatens the fairness and integrity of sports and awareness among athletes, staff, and officials is essential.

If someone tries to manipulate the course of result in sport by removing its uncertainty, they are manipulating sport to gain advantage for themselves or someone else. Competition manipulation can include:

• fixing the result or outcome
• an athlete under-performing
• interference with the playing or performance surface
• placing a bet using inside information.

Sport Integrity Australia’s elearning hub is an online portal offering quality competition manipulation and sports gambling education for all members of the Australian sporting community. It is free and easy to use and can be accessed anywhere at any time.

Visit the Sport Integrity Australia website for further information on the competition manipulation and sports gambling education they offer.

Many national sporting organisations have adopted the Sport Integrity Australia National Integrity Framework, which includes an Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy (DOC, 171KB). This policy helps sports address the threat of drug misuse and is separate from the World Anti-Doping Code and the National Anti-Doping (NAD) scheme.

The policy aims to:

• ensure qualified personnel provide science and medicine services to athletes
• ensure injections are administered to athletes only as part of proper medical treatment.
• ensure medications are used lawfully and appropriately.
• establish a best practice approach for the use of supplements, focusing on safety and evidence-based use, since supplements may contain substances on the Prohibited List.
• address and deter the unlawful distribution and use of illegal drugs in sports.
• reduce the harm caused by illegal drugs to athletes and the community.

Some sports already have illicit drug policies and conduct testing for illicit drug use. This policy is separate from Sport Integrity Australia’s anti-doping testing programme and is implemented by each sport.

If you are an athlete, please contact your sport for more information about their Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy and how it applies to you.

If you need mental health or wellbeing support, you can contact a support service provider:

• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
• Black Dog Institute
• Headspace
• Wellmob Online Counselling
• Yarning Safe N Strong

QAS supported athletes (past and present) may also be eligible to receive support from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Mental Health Referral Network.

The QAS has developed a range of resources to support athletes, coaches and those in sports administration with accessing important safeguarding information.

• Guide for responding to safeguarding concerns at the QAS (PDF, 208KB)
• Communicating with QAS supported athletes (PDF, 99KB)
• Physical contact with QAS supported athletes (PDF, 234KB)
• Maintaining professional boundaries with QAS supported athletes (PDF, 220KB)
• Recognising abuse in sport (PDF, 199KB)
• Raising concerns about abuse in sport (PDF, 188KB)
• What should I expect of others at the QAS? (PDF, 196KB)
• What is expected of me as a QAS supported athlete? (PDF, 190KB)
• Safe environments for QAS supported athletes (PDF, 180KB)