Complaints, Disputes and Discipline
The Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy is a collaboration between Triathlon Australia, Sport Integrity Australia and the National Sports Tribunal that will provide an independent, transparent, and fair complaint management system for all involved in Triathlon.
The Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy sets out the process for resolving complaints and disciplinary action arising from an individual or organisation engaging in prohibited conduct under the National Integrity Framework and associated integrity policies including child safeguarding, member protection, competition manipulation, sports wagering and misuse of drugs and medicine.
The Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy only manages complaints in relation to the National Integrity Framework and does not manage complaints in relation to eligibility and selection, competition-related rules, personal grievances, code of conduct or governance matters.
The Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy has been designed to ensure sport integrity related complaints are dealt with efficiently and effectively and that all involved in triathlon have confidence that prohibited conduct will be managed via the most appropriate resolution and discipline mechanism.
Triathlon Australia National Integrity Manager
Triathlon Australia National Integrity and Complaints Manager: Chris Cunningham
Email: chris.cunningham@triathlon.org.au
Phone: (02) 8488 6200
National Integrity Framework - Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy Quick Facts
This Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy provides sport and its participants with an independent and impartial complaint management process run by Sport Integrity Australia. This means when someone wants to report allegations of Prohibited Conduct or make a complaint about the behaviour of another person (or organisation), it will be assessed, investigated (if required) and finalised independently by Sport Integrity Australia. This removes any risk of a conflict of interest or perceptions of bias. The Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy sets out the process for how complaints will be managed by Sport Integrity Australia, including how disputes will be resolved and disciplinary action imposed.
What issues will Sport Integrity Australia manage?
Under the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy, Sport Integrity Australia will look into any issue defined as ‘Prohibited Conduct’ within these policies:
National Integrity Framework
Child Safeguarding Policy
Member Protection Policy
Competition Manipulation and Sport Wagering Policy
Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy
What does Sport Integrity Australia not manage?
Sport Integrity Australia will not manage complaints in relation to:
eligibility and selection
employment matters
competition - related rules
personal grievances
code of conduct
governance matters
Poor conduct which occurred before the 4th of May 2022 should be reported to the relevant State and or Territory Triathlon Association and or Triathlon Australia, as Sport Integrity Australia is not authorised to begin a disciplinary process against a person or organisation prior to the Policy coming into effect.
Poor conduct which occurred before the 4th of May 2022 should be reported to Triathlon Australia and or a State and Territory Triathlon Association through the Triathlon Australia Member Protection Policy (2nd March 2018 to 3rd of May 2022).
Poor conduct which occurred before the 4th of May 2022 should be reported to the following State and Territory Triathlon Association Contacts:
Triathlon New South Wales - Adam Wicks Email: adam.wicks@nsw.triathlon.org.au
Triathlon Australian Capital Territory - Geoff Bartlett Email: director@act.triathlon.org.au
Triathlon Victoria - Murray Newham Email: murray.newham@triathlon.org.au
Triathlon Tasmania - Shellie Wakefield Email: admin@tas.triathlon.org.au
Triathlon South Australia - Jesse Mortensen Email: jesse.mortensen@sa.triathlon.org.au
Triathlon Western Australia - Ashleigh Apps Email: Ashleigh.Apps@wa.triathlon.org.au
Triathlon Northern Territory - Lucy Berk Email: eo@nt.triathlon.org.au
Triathlon Queensland - Mathew Sundstrom Email: development@qld.triathlon.org.au
Participants can report historical issues to Sport Integrity Australia if they choose. This information can then be used in ways other than a formal complaint process, to make sure similar behaviour doesn’t reoccur in future – for example, to help build education and intervention programs. Sport Integrity Australia can also pass the information to someone else who may be able to take action if appropriate (for example, police or a child protection agency). Wellbeing support will be offered throughout this process.
What is the complaint process, how do I make a complaint and who do I submit the complaint to?
Sport Integrity Australia - Prohibited Conduct under the National Integrity Framework
Complaints regarding Prohibited Conduct should be made to Sport Integrity Australia as soon as reasonably possible.
Once a complaint is received, Sport Integrity Australia will assess it to determine whether it is within the scope - Sport Integrity Australia will look into any issue defined as ‘Prohibited Conduct’ within these policies: National Integrity Framework, Child Safeguarding Policy, Member Protection Policy, Competition Manipulation and Sports Wagering Policy, Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy.
A complaint could be referred for mediation between the parties involved, if appropriate. Alternatively, Sport Integrity Australia may investigate as required, which includes advising the person accused of wrongdoing so they have an opportunity to respond, contacting any witnesses, and seeking other evidence.
Sport Integrity Australia will offer all participants access to wellbeing services through this process. If there is not enough evidence to substantiate the allegation, the matter will end, and all parties will be notified. If Sport Integrity Australia believes the alleged conduct is more likely to have occurred than not, they will issue a Breach Notice, including a sanction, to the person who breached the sport integrity policy.
There will be an opportunity for the person given the Breach Notice to challenge the outcome in a hearing, which will be run by either Triathlon Australia or the National Sports Tribunal. Sport Integrity Australia may also refer matters to an external organisation such as to laq enforcement or a child protection agency if required.
Information regarding the National Sports Tribunal can be located on their website: National Sports Tribunal - Provides independent, cost effective dispute resolution services to sporting bodies, athletes and support personnel.
Tips on submitting a complaint to Sport Integrity Australia – Prohibited conduct under the National Integrity Framework
1. Anyone can submit a complaint to Sport Integrity Australia
2. Only complaints relating to Prohibited conduct under the National Integrity Framework can be submitted to Sport Integrity Australia:
"Prohibited Conduct" within the National Integrity Framework
"Prohibited Conduct" within the National Integrity Framework - Child Safeguarding Policy
"Prohibited Conduct" within the National Integrity Framwork - Member Protection Policy
"Prohibited Conduct" within the National Integrity Framework - Competition Manipulation and Sport Wagering Policy
"Prohibited Conduct" within the National Integrity Framework - Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy
3. Complaints can only be actioned by Sport Integrity Australia is the person allegedly committed the behaviour is bound by the sport (the person must have agreed to be bound by the policy either through membership and or agreement).
4. Complaints must be submitted to Sport Integrity Australia through an online form which can be located here: Sport Integrity Australia Report a Concern Online Form
What happens if my complaint is not within Sport Integrity Australia's scope?
The Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy only manages complaints in relation to the National Integrity Framework. Sport Integrity Australia under the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy will not investigate complaints submitted to Sport Integrity Australia regarding the following areas which sit outside the National Integrity Framework:
eligibility and selection
competition - related rules
personal grievances
code of conduct
governance matters
If your complaint relates to eligibility selection, competition-related rules, personal grievances, code of conduct or governance matters you must read the following Triathlon Australia Integrity Policies. Only complaints relating to Prohibited conduct under the Triathlon Australia Integrity Policies listed below will be managed by Triathlon Australia and or a State and Territory Triathlon Association.
Triathlon Australia Personal Grievances Policy - Commencement 4th of May 2022
Triathlon Australia Code of Conduct - Commencement 4th of May 2022
Triathlon Australia Conduct and Disciplinary Policy - Commencement 4th May 2022
Triathlon Australia Review and Appeals Policy - Commencement 4th May 2022
Tips on submitting a complaint to Triathlon Australia?
1. Anyone can submit a complaint
2. Only complaints relating to the following list will be accepted:
eligibility and selection
competition - related rules
personal grievances
code of conduct
governance matters
3. Complaints can only be actioned if the person allegedly committed the behaviour is bound by the sport (the person must have agreed to be bound by the policy either through membership and or agreement).
4. To submit a complaint an official Complaint Form (Complaint Form can be located on page 25 of the Triathlon Australia Conduct and Disciplinary Policy). The Complaint Form must be submitted to the Triathlon Australia National Complaints Manager via email chris.cunningham@triathlon.org.au . The official Complaint Form should be completed and sent to the Triathlon Australia Complaint Manager as soon as reasonably possible following the Alleged Breach. A Complaint Form must be completed in full at the time of submission. Where it is not, Triathlon Australia is not obliged to process the Complaint. Triathlon Australia will return an incomplete Complaint Form to the Complainant. The Triathlon Australia Complaints Manager will send the Complainant an acknowledgement of receipt, once a fully completed Complaint Form is submitted.
