INTEGRITY
Sport is an Australian way of life. It brings people together, regardless of any differences in language, ability, culture and beliefs, and provides physical, social and economic benefits.
For those reasons, it’s critical that we keep hockey safe and fair, for everyone who participates.
Threats to sports integrity include things like behaviours that impact people’s positive experience of sport, such as discrimination or abuse, illicit drug use, doping and competition manipulation.
Integrity in sports means that athletes, volunteers, supporters and fans can participate in and celebrate sports, confident in the knowledge that they are part of a safe, fair and inclusive environment.
Hockey Australia takes integrity seriously and is committed to safeguarding hockey.
All members and participants have an obligation to protect and maintain the integrity of hockey, as well as the health and well-being of others who participate.
Hockey Australia works closely with Sport Integrity Australia, the national agency established to protect hockey against integrity threats. Hockey Australia adopted the Sport Integrity Australia National Integrity Framework effective 1 January 2024.
Knowledge of, or concerns regarding integrity-related matters in hockey, such as child safety, abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, doping, gambling or match-fixing can be reported in several ways
- Emailing the Hockey Australia Integrity Unit at integrity@hockey.org.au
- Submitting an online complaint or report to the Hockey Australia Independent Integrity Hotline at hockeyaustralia.stoplinereport.com or by calling 1300 30 45 50
- Complaints or reports relating to Doping, Child Safeguarding and Discrimination can be lodged directly with Sport Integrity Australia using their online complaint or report form or by calling 1300 027 232 (select option 3 for an integrity matter, option 5 for a doping matter).
Instances of cyberbullying of children, adult cyber abuse, image-based abuse (sharing, or threatening to share, intimate images without the consent of the person shown) and illegal content can be reported directly to the eSafety Comissioner using their online report forms.
Please contact your local law enforcement agency or dial 000 if there is an immediate threat to an individual’s safety.
The National Integrity Framework is a suite of policies that sets out rules for unacceptable behaviour in hockey and explains the way complaints about breaches of these rules are managed.
COMPLAINTS, DISPUTES AND DISCIPLINE POLICY
This policy sets out the process for resolving complaints and disciplinary action in relation to Prohibited Conduct under the National Integrity Framework and other relevant policies such as the Code of Conduct.
COMPLAINTS, DISPUTES & DISCIPLINE POLICY COMPLAINTS, DISPUTES & DISCIPLINE FACT SHEET
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE POLICY
Hockey Australia has zero tolerance for child abuse or neglect in any form.
All children have the right to feel safe and protected from all forms of abuse, harm, and neglect. children have the right to take part in hockey in a safe, positive, and enjoyable environment.
Hockey Australia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in hockey by providing safe and inclusive environments and ensuring that everyone involved in hockey is proportionately educated and informed of their responsibilities to protect and look after children and young people.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE POLICY SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE FACT SHEET
MEMBER PROTECTION POLICY
Hockey Australia is committed to ensuring that everyone involved with hockey is treated with respect and dignity and is protected from abuse, bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, unlawful discrimination, victimisation, and vilification.
This policy seeks to ensure that everyone involved in hockey is aware of their rights and responsibilities. This Policy sets out the standards of behaviour expected of those involved in hockey and the behaviours that are not acceptable.
MEMBER PROTECTION POLICY MEMBER PROTECTION FACT SHEET
COMPETITION MANIPULATION AND SPORT GAMBLING POLICY
This Policy is designed to keep hockey fair by protecting competitions and events from competition manipulation (also known as match-fixing) and associated betting activity. The Policy includes definitions of Prohibited Conduct regarding sports betting and competition manipulation, provides direction on how to report concerns, and sets out best practice for National Sporting Organisations when sharing information and entering into commercial arrangements with Wagering Service Providers (WSP).
Since the manipulation of a sporting competition may also be a criminal act, this policy is also designed to protect all members from misconduct captured under legislation.
COMPETITION MANIPULATION & SPORT GAMBLING POLICY COMPETITION MANIPULATION & SPORT GAMBLING FACT SHEET
IMPROPER USE OF DRUGS AND MEDICINE POLICY
The improper use of drugs and medicine in hockey, including the use of supplements and the provision by unqualified and unauthorised people, are a risk to the health of athletes and the integrity of hockey.
To counter these risks, the Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy ensures:
- Medical practitioners working in our sport are accredited and qualified to fulfil their duties
- Medicines are used in appropriate ways
- Safe use of supplements which comply with the World Anti-Doping Code
- Illegal drug use is prohibited in our sport
IMPROPER USE OF DRUGS & MEDICINE POLICY IMPROPER USE OF DRUGS & MEDICINE FACT SHEET
CODE OF CONDUCT
Hockey Australia's Code of Conduct (Code) applies to everyone who participates in our hockey, including athletes, staff, coaches, support personnel and officials. The Code sets out the expected behaviours that everyone involved in hockey is expected to adhere to. Prohibited Conduct is managed under the Complaints, Disputes and Disciplinary Policy.
CONCUSSION
The Hockey Australia Concussion Policy has been designed to be a practical resource to ensure that:
- All concussions and suspected concussions in participants at all levels of hockey are appropriately identified and managed; and
- All who suffer a concussion receive timely and appropriate care and guidance to return them to everyday activities and sport safely
PITCHSIDING
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
TRANS & GENDER DIVERSE GUIDELINES
SELECTION
SELECTION & APPEALS POLICY
WEATHER
WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY
Anti-doping rules apply to all participants of our sport, from high performance down to grassroots. All members must be aware of and have a basic understanding of their obligations in regard to anti-doping.
The Sport Integrity Australia website has a range of information and resources to assist, including:
- information about supplements
- applying for a Therapeutic Use Exemption
- submitting Whereabouts information
- information about Athlete testing
The Hockey Australia Anti-doping Policy is the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy, effective 1 January 2021, and can be found on the Sport Integrity Australia website. All members, participants and non-participants in the sport of hockey are bound by these rules.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) updates and publishes the Prohibited List each year. The Prohibited List outlines what substances and methods are prohibited in sport and when. The 2024 Prohibited List came into force on 1 January 2024 and can be found here.
Prefer not to read through policies? Explore these videos and resources instead:
- Introducing the National Integrity Framework
- 2023 NIF Safeguarding Children and Young People
- 2023 NIF Member Protection Prohibited Conduct
- 2023 NIF Competition Manipulation
- 2023 NIF Drugs & Medicines
- 2023 NIF Complaints Handling
Education
Education is essential to safeguarding the integrity of Australian sport. Hockey Australia, in partnership with Sport Integrity Australia, is committed to addressing integrity challenges and ensuring a safe and fair environment for all participants in hockey.
The 2024 Integrity Education Plan, developed in collaboration with Sport Integrity Australia, provides a framework to support this goal through educational resources and interventions. It details the required and recommended integrity education for all members and participants, ensuring compliance with the Hockey Australia National Integrity Framework, other relevant integrity policies, the Anti-Doping Policy, and the World Anti-Doping Code International Standard for Education.
Click here to read the 2024 Integrity Education Plan in full and here to access the Sport Integrity Australia e-learning portal.
Concussion Resources:
Concussion Management Workflow
Play by the Rules
Play by the Rules provides information, resources, tools and free online training to administrators, coaches, officials, players, parents and spectators to assist them in preventing and dealing with discrimination, harassment, child safety, inclusion and integrity issues in sport.
The National Redress Scheme (the Scheme) was created in response to recommendations by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Scheme started on 1 July 2018 and will run for 10 years.
The Scheme provides acknowledgement and support to people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse. Redress is an alternative to seeking compensation through the courts.
An offer of redress for eligible people can include:
- a payment
- counselling that is confidential and culturally safe
- a direct personal response, such as an apology, from an institution.
Applicants can choose what parts of the redress offer they want to receive.
Hockey Australia is committed to ensuring that everyone involved with hockey is treated with respect and dignity and is protected from all forms of abuse.
Hockey has taken a "whole-of-sport" approach in responding to any Scheme applications and redress awards. Hockey Australia and its Member Associations have all either joined the Scheme or signalled their intent to join.
People can apply to the Scheme by filling in a paper application form, or online through myGov.
For more information, visit www.nationalredress.gov.au or call the Scheme line on 1800 737 377.