Sports integrity in the spotlight

• Experts gather to discuss integrity in sport
• Forum examines issues like match fixing and doping

A national roadshow on integrity in sport rolls into Perth tomorrow to discuss issues ranging from anti-doping, match fixing, the use of supplements and image-enhancing substances.

Safeguarding the Integrity of Sport is a series of forums to inform the West Australian sport and recreation industry and other key stakeholders.

Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said such forums were an important opportunity to share ideas and discoveries and to hear from people working at the coalface with sports integrity.

"With the importance placed on winning, we must retain the essence of what sport is about: values like sportsmanship, fair play, honesty and leadership," Ms Davies said.

"When other concerns are put above these values, that's when sport suffers."

Key ethical and integrity issues and challenges facing sport include:

• dilemmas around doping, supplements, image enhancing substances and other drug taking practices
• sub-elite doping related challenges
• corruption of sport and organised crime
• match fixing - a global trade
• national policy on match fixing in sport
• supplementation - pros and cons
• gambling and wagering
• strategies to protect sport.

The State Government, through the Department of Sport and Recreation, is focused on these integrity and ethical issues through the Fair Safe Sport Strategy, Drugs in Sport Education, as well as strong industry position statements and positive promotions. The department has appointed a full-time sports integrity officer

The community and industry forums will feature representatives from the National Integrity of Sport Unit, ASADA and academics working in the field.

"We talk a lot about the value of sport but I'd like to see forums like this help create a cultural shift to where sport can lead the way in our communities," the Minister said.

Fact File

• An initiative of the Committee of Australian Sport and Recreation Officials, the forums are co-ordinated by Play by the Rules which aims to create safe, fair and inclusive sport and recreation environments
• The Top Club initiative has been developed by the Western Australian Sports Federation in partnership with the Department of Sport and Recreation to help clubs identify, examine and change their culture
• The forum on May 20 and 21 will be held at the Department of Sport and Recreation's Leederville offices

Minister's office - 6552 5500