2020 National Sport Integrity Forum

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Time: 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Location: Zoom Webinar – invite only
Website: Event Website

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame and Victoria University share a common goal to promote the achievement of sporting excellence aligned with integrity. Together with our partners Sport Australia, Australian Institute of Sport and Sportscover we invite sport executives and leaders to the fifth edition of the National Sport Integrity Forum.

Return to Sport: Risks, Rewards, Opportunities and Challenges.

In what was supposed to be an Olympic year, sports organisations, athletes and fans were gearing up for the biggest celebration of sport across the globe. However, the global COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the landscape and forced closure of sport from grassroots to elite.

As social distancing measures start to ease, sport will start the long journey back to the centre stage. But what will the return to healthy activity, community participation and elite sport look like in a post pandemic world?

The Forum presented leaders at the forefront of development in the sports industry in a thought-provoking, in-depth discussions on the moral, legal and ethical issues related to playing and spectating sport, providing their views on what might be the new business models and exploring how sport can be more fail proof for external shocks such as a pandemic.

Panel

Lynne Anderson, Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Officer
Dr David Hughes, Australian Institute of Sport Chief Medical Officer
Wayne Pearce OAM, Australian Rugby League Commissioner
Leigh Russell, Swimming Australia Chief Executive Officer
Craig Tiley, Tennis Australia Chief Executive Officer
David Sharpe APM OAM, ASADA Chief Executive Officer
Facilitated by Professor Hans Westerbeek, Professor of International Sport Business – Victoria University, we anticipate a thought provoking, in-depth discussion that will explore the return to sport.

“…This has been the toughest (time) not just for elite sport even more significantly so for volunteer and community sport vital role in bringing Australians together. Thanks to everyone who makes sport in Australia work.” – The Hon Scott Morrison PM, Prime Minister of Australia

“Magic of Sport: belief of what we’re watching or participating in is fair, its not rigged, & it’s an open & honest contest. It is essential to sport, to the values of sport, to the belief in sport & to what we value the most about sport in Australia.” – Sport Australia CEO, John Wylie AM

“Dealers in hope produce opportunity and aspiration. Hope is not a strategy. We have the opportunity to re-imagine sport, lean in to what is really important, prepare people for the future & working collaboratively is key to driving the industry.” – Swimming Australia CEO, Leigh Russell

“Emergence of women sport in this is country exciting. Male sports have development pathways available. The system hasn’t caught up to the significant increase in women sport to be able to provide the same level of support. We need to invest heavily in that process.” – AIS Chief Medical Officer, Dr David Hughes

“History and instinct tell us no one will emerge from this pandemic in the same shape as pre COVID-19. Changes to athlete preparation will be made. Changes to spectator behaviour will be made.” – Paralympics Australia CEO, Lynne Anderson

“Preparing for a crisis. Not if…but when. Based on experience, ASADA has built resilient networks. Learnt from operation Cobia – information void, learnt from 2016 Russian hacking of WADA. Learning and building a continuity plan.” – Sport Integrity Australia CEO, David Sharpe APM OAM

“Agile and responsive sports plans, an opportunity for innovation, sharing of expertise and lessons learned. Demonstrated we are an eco-system, can help each other in times of crisis.” – Australian Rugby League Commissioner, Wayne Pearce OAM

“We can control our response in this time. Opportunity to be more innovative and lead in many areas.” – Tennis Australia CEO, Craig Tiley

“The Future: Education is key, careful & considered resumption of activity – don’t rush like a bull at a gate.” – AIS Chief Medical Officer, Dr David Hughes