INTEGRITY
protecting american football together
American Football Australia (AFA) is committed to ensuring our sport is safe, fair, inclusive and respectful for everyone involved.
Integrity underpins how American Football is played, coached, officiated and administered. It applies to conduct and behaviour on and off the field, how concerns are raised, and how they are addressed.
raising a concern
If you have information, a concern, or have seen or experienced conduct or behaviour that may be inappropriate, unsafe, or concerning within American Football, you are encouraged to report it or seek advice.
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How to raise a concern
Most concerns or matters can be raised directly with AFA. In some situations, it may be more appropriate to contact an external organisation, depending on the nature of the issue. Concerns and matters will managed in line with the National Integrity Framework's Complaints, Disputes & Discipline Policy or other relevant integrity policies.
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American Football Australia​
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Online integrity management system (COMING SOON)​
Sport Integrity Australia
Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) provides independent advice, complaint handling and national oversight for integrity in sport. SIA deals with matters about Safeguarding and Discrimination.
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Safe Sport Hotline 1800 161 361
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eSafety Commissioner
The eSafety Commissioner deals with online-related concerns, including cyberbullying, image-based abuse, or illegal online content.​
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Police or Emergency Services
If there is an immediate risk to a person’s safety, or a serious criminal matter, contact local police or call 000.​​​
NATIONAL INTEGRITY FRAMEWORK
AFA adopted the National Integrity Framework (NIF) in October 2023. The NIF provides a nationally consistent approach to preventing and responding to integrity issues in sport.
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The NIF sets clear expectations about conduct and explains how concerns are raised, assessed and managed. It supports safe participation, fair competition and appropriate behaviour at all levels of our sport.
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The NIF applies to athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators, members and where applicable spectators involved in American Football. Some matters are managed directly by AFA while others are referred to SIA, depending on the nature of the concern or issue.​​
Complaints, disputes & discipline policy
The Complaints, Disputes & Discipline Policy sets out the process for resolving complaints and disciplinary action in relation to behaviour that would breach one of the NIF policies.​
MEMBER PROTECTION POLICY
AFA is committed to ensuring everyone involved in the sport is treated with respect and dignity, and protected from abuse, bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, discrimination and other unacceptable behaviour.
The Member Protection Policy sets clear expectations about behaviour in American football, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of all participants.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE POLICY
AFA does not tolerate abuse, harm or neglect of children in any form. Children and young people have the right to participate in American Football in Australia in safe and inclusive environments.
The Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy sets clear expectations for behaviour, outlines how concerns are raised and managed, and supports education and awareness so everyone involved in the sport understands their responsibility to protect and support young participants.
COMPETITION MANIPULATION AND SPORT GAMBLING POLICY
AFA is committed to protecting the integrity of competitions and events, including preventing competition manipulation (such as match-fixing) and inappropriate betting activity.
The Competition Manipulation and Sports Gambling Policy outlines conduct that is not permitted, including actions that improperly influence games or use inside information, and outlines how concerns can be reported.
RELATED POLICIES
CODE OF CONDUCT
The AFA Code of Conduct applies to everyone involved in the sport, including athletes, coaches, officials, staff, volunteers and support personnel.
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The Code sets out expected standards of behaviour and identifies conduct that is not acceptable.
ELEARNING COURSES - SIA EDGE
Education plays a critical role in protecting athletes and preventing integrity threats in Australian sport. SIA have made freely available a range of online learning modules covering grassroots to elite-level athletes, their parents, teachers, coaches, sport administration staff and support personnel.
The below list summarises the modules that form the AFA Education Plan, however the SIA EDGE platform contains a vast amount of additional useful eduction topics to support all participants within American Football.
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You can get started with SIA eLearning by visiting https://elearning.sportintegrity.gov.au/
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As an American Football participant it's important to update your profile on the SIA Edge platform to list American Football as a sport against your profile. This makes for easy compliance reporting across the organisation. See attached a helpful guide on how to update this on your profile.
ANTI-DOPING FUNDAMENTALS
Comprehensive anti-doping education covering the rules and regulations related to anti-doping, the processes involved in testing, the ethical and health implications of doping, and the responsibilities of athletes and support personnel to uphold anti-doping standards.
ANNUAL UPDATE
Released in December each year, this course reflects current trends in anti-doping and broader integrity issues including new prohibited substances, rule changes and other contemporary topics.
CLEAN SPORT 101
An introduction to anti-doping rules, rights and responsibilities written in plain English, this course provides an overview of the anti-doping landscape, and guidance on the resources and tools available when seeking more comprehensive information.
Competition Manipulation and Sport Gambling
An introduction to what competition manipulation is, different types of competition manipulation, and sport specific rules to assist with identifying breaches, recognising match-fixer strategies, and knowing how to report concerns.
National Integrity Framework
Comprehensive education about the development of the National Integrity Framework, including background information about Sport Integrity Australia and an overview of how each National Integrity Framework Policy can be applied in practice.
Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Induction
An introduction to protecting children and young people within sporting environments, including Children and Young People Safe Practices, and how to recognise and respond to possible breaches of safeguarding policy.
Whereabouts
Specific education designed for testing pool athletes and their support personnel, this course explains the Whereabouts rules and provides step-by-step guidance on updating whereabouts in the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS).
"Football is like life—punctuated by seasons of triumph and defeat, with the goal of pushing forward and becoming better with each challenge."
— Jerry Kramer