The integrity of Australian softball took a step forward today, with Softball Australia (SA) adopting the National Integrity Framework (NIF) established by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA).

Adopting the NIF places SA at the forefront of sports integrity in Australia, with SA among the first governing bodies in the country to implement NIF policies and procedures.

The Framework provides clarity and consistency on integrity issues across all levels of competition such as Child Safeguarding, Member Protection, Improper use of Drugs and Medicine, and Competition Manipulation and Sports Wagering.

To streamline the handling of integrity matters, the NIF also contains a Complaints, Disputes and Discipline process, which also ensures complaints are handled independently and transparently through the SIA or the National Sports Tribunal.

SA Chair Richard Lindell recognised the importance of adopting the NIF, saying “This is a key milestone for softball in Australia. The Framework ensures all softball participants and supporters can have confidence in their involvement with the sport, and it protects our members, clubs, associations, and states.

“This is the result of a positive collaboration between Softball Australia and Sport Integrity Australia that commenced in 2021, and thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, we now have policies and procedures in place to protect the sport, and those in it for generations to come,” he added.

Sport Integrity Australia CEO David Sharpe also commended the SA Board and staff and added that adoption of the Framework means athletes and participants can have their complaints addressed appropriately.

“The adoption of the Framework strengthens ties between SA and SIA, ensures participants are treated fairly and with respect, and sets out the broad expectations of all participating in the sport.

“Essentially, the Framework provides SA with best-practice policies and processes that will meet future compliance standards and be applied nationally. It is the best possible outcome for the sport.”

The NIF supersedes several pre-existing SA policies including the Illicit Drugs in Sport Policy, Match-Fixing Policy, Member Protection Policy, and the Sports Science and Sports Medicine Policy, and comes into immediate effect.

The NIF policies are now available on the Softball Australia website, with SA also working with State and Territories to have the Framework implemented at state-level.