Dear Members,

Earlier this year, Softball Australia adopted the National Integrity Framework which applies to every player, coach, umpire, scorer and member of Softball – from clubs and associations through to members of Rep, Academy, State and National teams. This article explains what the change means for you.

What is the National Integrity Framework?

The Framework sets out rules around what behaviour is unacceptable in softball, and changes the way breaches of these rules are managed.

It covers things like racism, bullying, child safety measures, betting on softball, drug use and supplement use. Complaints about all these issues are now managed independently, by Sport Integrity Australia – not by softball associations.

All players, coaches, umpires, scorers and other members of Softball are bound by the policies, which can be found on Softball Australia’s sports integrity page.

What does it mean for me?

Players & Parents

• Learn about what behaviour is unacceptable under the National Integrity Framework by reading this factsheet of Prohibited Conduct. This is the list of things that are not allowed in Softball at any level.
• Always keep in mind that softball should be safe and fair for everyone. If you see poor behaviour, you should report it. Likewise, if you break the rules – you can be sanctioned.
• If you see, hear or experience something that might be prohibited conduct under a NIF policy, you should report it directly to Sport Integrity Australia using their webform or by phoning 13 000 27232.
• Non-integrity issues like selection disputes, game disputes, governance matters and personal grievances should be reported to your club or state as usual.

Coaches & Officials

• As a coach or official, you are critical to creating a safe sport environment and protecting your players, particularly children and young people.
• There are a number of new expectations around child safeguarding – to protect yourself and your players. Please read this booklet which lists Child Safe DO’s and DON’T’S and implement the practices in your role. To be sure you are across the policy, you should also complete the Child Safeguarding in Sport Induction course at elearning.sportintegrity.gov.au
• You are in a position of authority and people may come to you with questions. To make sure you understand the Framework, check out the policy Fact Sheets or complete the National Integrity Framework eLearning course at elearning.sportintegrity.gov.au
• If you see, hear or experience something, you must report it to Sport Integrity Australia using their webform or by phoning 13 000 27232.

Administrators

• Help us get the word out about the National Integrity Framework to your members by sharing integrity posts from Softball Australia or Sport Integrity Australia.
• Please provide a direct link to the Softball Australia Sports Integrity page on your own website.
• Encourage your members to report prohibited conduct to Sport Integrity Australia by printing these posters and putting them around your club.
• Review the recruitment and screening requirements in the Child Safeguarding Policy and implement for all positions (including volunteer roles).
• There are a number of new expectations around child safeguarding – please read this booklet which lists Child Safe DO’s and DON’T’S and implement accordingly.
• You are in a position of authority and people may come to you with questions. To make sure you understand the framework, check out the policy Fact Sheets or complete the National Integrity Framework  and Child Safeguarding in Sport Induction eLearning courses at elearning.sportintegrity.gov.au
• We are currently working on a club toolkit, which we will be able to provide shortly.

For more information on the National Integrity Framework, click here. 

Thank you for your support to help us ensure Softball is a safe, fair environment for everyone.

Kind regards,

Rosie Williams OBE
CEO Softball Australia