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.
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.
American Football Australia
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Online integrity management system: https://afa.relyplatform.com/home
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AFA Integrity Manager, Iain Roy (SIGPA): integrity@americanfootball.org.au
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
eSafety Commissioner
The eSafety Commissioner deals with online-related concerns, including cyberbullying, image-based abuse, or illegal online content.
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.
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.
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.
The Code sets out expected standards of behaviour and identifies conduct that is not acceptable.
ANTI-DOPING POLICY
AFA takes a position of zero tolerance toward doping in sport and works closely with Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) in Australia and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) internationally to ensure a drug-free environment in our sport.
SPORT INTEGRITY AUSTRALIA - EDUCATION
As part of our ongoing commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity in American Football, American Football Australia has partnered with Sport Integrity Australia to implement the Integrity Education Plan across our sport. This plan ensures that all participants—athletes, coaches, officials, and administrators—understand their responsibilities regarding integrity, ethics, and fair play.
You can learn more about this on our Integrity Education Page here.
"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