The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) announced in April of this year that it would create a global alliance consisting of 50+ nations to promote reforms in sport.

The FIFA scandal, which has rocked soccer since 2015 and made allegations of widespread corruption, was the tipping point. SIGA is an international coalition of stakeholders from the public and private sectors who are working to promote financial transparency and good governance in sport.

There have been many changes in Australia to restore sport integrity and the public’s trust. This is largely due to the crisis that occurred in Australian sport during 2013. It included the Australian Crime Commission Report into organized crime in sport and the AFL Supplements scandal.

The Australian government, in addition to expanding its policing capabilities, has also established a National Integrity in Sport Unit. Exercise & Sports Science Australia has created a sports science certification scheme.

Integrity officers are in high demand among professional sports organizations, and there is a growing market for courses, workshops, and seminars on sport integrity.

International and national efforts are needed to restore the credibility of sport. This is the theme of today’s In Governance We Trust Forum in Melbourne. Victoria University, and Sport Australia Hall of Fame sponsor it.

The Forum will bring more than 200 Australian elite and community sport governance officials and integrity officials as well as leaders from business and the community together. The goal is to find ways to address a variety of challenges in sport integrity.

From the bottom upward

There is a necessity for coordinated efforts against doping, match-fixing, financial corruption, and other threats to the integrity of sport. However, there is also a need to provide more support at the local level.

In July of last year, research presented at the Sport Stakeholders Forum suggested that local communities might not be aware of how much performance-enhancing substances and methods, as well as illicit drugs and the illegal gambling market, have permeated down to community sports levels.

They are ready to take action. They may not know who to call for more information or how to report suspicious behaviors.

In a sports sector largely managed by volunteers, there is not enough time to implement the procedures necessary to prevent and police such dubious practices and behaviors.

From the top downward

The high-performance philosophy, which is appropriate for elite sports, has slowly filtered down to the community sport level.

This has also brought some threats to the integrity of sport. It is common to see athletes increase their training load and use supplements to enhance performance or manage pain or injuries. Overzealous fans and coaches can also abuse players and umpires.

The rise in sports betting at junior levels increases the likelihood of cheating and losing.

The integrity of sport can be defined as the constant adherence to standards and principles. The principles of sport are different for elite, school, and local sports.

Elite sport is a game that values performance excellence.

The educational value of school sports is still viewed as being in skill acquisition, fitness, and character development. Mission statements and mottos of community sports organizations are usually centered on fun, participation, doing your best, and building community.

Leadership from Above

The governing bodies in sports can help by providing leadership and resources that will enable local clubs to “walk the walk,” that is to say, to uphold values and principles appropriate for community sport.

The Australian Sports Commission offers resources on sport Integrity, governance as well as VicSport.

Victoria University and Sport and Recreation Victoria are currently working on a project to improve sport integrity readiness. The project aims to give the state’s sports associations, and eventually community clubs, a self-assessment instrument to help improve awareness and manage sports integrity risks.

Clubs and associations in other Australian states or territories can adopt similar tools.

It is necessary to do more to increase the use of these resources by local communities and to ensure the future of sport.