WAIS adopts National Integrity Framework

Published On: 13 December 2023

The Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) is excited to be the first National Institute Network organisation to formally adopt the Sport Integrity Australia National Integrity Framework effective from 1 January 2024.

This is an important step in protecting all WAIS athletes and coaches from integrity threats in sport and flows from the Sport Integrity Australia Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Report.

Sport Integrity Australia CEO David Sharpe welcomed the announcement. “WAIS’s adoption of the National Integrity Framework is a significant step forward for the Institute and I’d like to acknowledge the work done to get to this point,” Mr Sharpe said.

“We look forward to continuing our work with the Institute as they move forward with embedding the Framework into their processes and procedures to enhance the safety and wellbeing of all who participate in the WAIS programs.”

WAIS’s latest milestone is critical in regaining some of its credibility and will see it embedding a best practice integrity framework with the highest standard of athlete safeguarding and integrity management in all areas of the organisation. Above all, WAIS will act in the best interests of athlete health, wellbeing and safety to ensure a Win Well culture.

An action plan will be implemented to embed the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, findings from an independent review by the Australian Childhood Foundation of athlete empowerment and parent engagement at WAIS, and the development of a national course on coaching children in high-performance environments in partnership with the Australian Sports Commission and Sport Integrity Australia.

A dedicated Integrity and Safeguarding Manager is being recruited to continue to develop, educate and embed integrity-related policies, procedures and practices into all levels of WAIS.

The framework consists of five integrity-related policies, including:

  • Competition Manipulation and Sport Gambling Policy
  • Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy
  • Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
  • Participant Protection Policy
  • Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy

WAIS has also confirmed its ongoing commitment to the safeguarding of children and young people, making a public WAIS Child Safe Commitment Statement:

All children and young people have a right to be and feel safe.

In pursuit of their high-performance sporting aspirations, children and young people and their families place their trust in WAIS. WAIS is committed to the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of all children and young people involved in our organisation. Everybody at WAIS is responsible for working together to proactively address risks to child safety and continuously improve our child safe culture and practices.  

WAIS has a 100% commitment to child protection and the physical and psychological safety of children and young people. All allegations, disclosures and concerns will be treated seriously and responded to immediately, consistent with our policies and procedures. 

WAIS Chair, Dr Neale Fong confirmed this is one of many critical steps WAIS will make to improve integrity in both WAIS training and competition environments. “WAIS are continuing to work closely in a strong, productive partnership with Sport Integrity Australia to ensure WAIS athletes can train and compete in a safe, ethical and inclusive environment. We want high performance and success, but not at any expense to personal well-being.”

Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman is pleased with the progress. “I’m pleased to see WAIS moving forward with the recommendations from the Sport Integrity Australia Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Report. As the first National Institute to adopt the new integrity framework, WAIS is leading the way and acting in the best interests of athletes.”

WAIS would also like to welcome three new Directors to complete the WAIS Board, appointed by the WA State Government;

  • Colleen Egan, former Assistant Editor of The West Australian and Chief of Staff to the WA Attorney General
  • Elise Rechichi OAM, 2008 WAIS athlete of the year, dual Olympian, Olympic champion 2008 and currently Head of Performance Strategy at Paralympics Australia
  • Cheryl Kickett-Tucker AM, a highly experienced Director, former inaugural WAIS basketballer and Wadjuk traditional owner.

WAIS is confident that the new Board will continue to propel WAIS forward as the industry-leading performance institute, producing champion sports people at the same time nurturing athletes in their life- journey.

For media enquiries contact communications@wais.org.au