BRONWEN KNOX NAMED AS PART OF SPORT INTEGRITY AUSTRALIA ATHLETE ADVISORY GROUP

Sport Integrity Australia has today announced the appointment of 12 current and former elite athletes to its Athlete Advisory Group in a bid to strengthen the athletes’ voice in sport.

The group includes four time women's water polo Olympian, and former member of the Aussie Stingers Bronwen Knox.

Sport Integrity Australia CEO David Sharpe said that to understand the integrity threats within sports, the agency needed to work in close partnership with everyone who held a piece to the puzzle – including athletes.

“I could not be happier with the calibre of athletes on our Athlete Advisory Group and the wide range of sports represented,” Sharpe said. “They are leaders within their sport and within their communities, and their contribution will be invaluable to the agency moving forward.”

The Athlete Advisory Group was established to bring the athlete voice to the table of Sport Integrity Australia’s operations. The group will inform Sport Integrity Australia’s strategic direction and help shape policies and strategies which impact athletes. In their most recent meeting, the group considered approaches to strengthen the agency’s education program, and provided insight into the agency’s complaints handling process.

Sharpe said it was important to ensure that the athlete’s voice was heard and considered in every aspect of the agency.

“Everything we do at Sport Integrity Australia is athlete-focused. Everything we do is about protecting athletes and protecting the integrity of their sport – whether that’s on the national or international stage or on a remote country ground or court. It’s critical athletes have input into that.”

The athletes themselves were motivated to contribute to the protection of sport, as well as ensuring they represented fellow athletes’ voices.

Four-time Olympian, water polo’s Bronwen Knox, said sport could be a confusing ecosystem with athletes often at the bottom of a power imbalance.

“I hope to assist by bringing the athlete's voice to the forefront of decision making and allowing space for athletes to be heard on the issues that matter,” Knox said.

“Athletes often feel they have no power to make a difference, no avenue to find protection, and no voice to speak out without reprisal. It is my hope that I can continue to help athletes find their voice and feel both protected and heard.”

Sport Integrity Australia Athlete Advisory Group

Bronwen Knox, 4 x Olympian (water polo), 2 x Olympic Bronze medallist, Sport Integrity Australia education presenter.

Ellie Cole, 4 x Paralympian, 6 x world record holder, Executive Member of the Australian Swimmers Association.

Eric Mackenzie, West Coast Eagles AFL player, AFL Players Association players’ delegate, International Testing Agency athlete ambassador.

Jonathan Goerlach, Paralympic triathlete, 5 x Australian National Paratriathlon Champion, Member of World Triathlon Athlete Committee

Katrina Fanning, most capped female rugby league player in the world when she retired. Board Member, Canberra Raiders & Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council.

Bronwen Downie, Olympic rower, 2 x World Rowing Championship Gold medallist. Former NSW State board member.

Blake Gaudry, 2 x Olympic trampolinist, 11x Australian National Champion, Athletes’ representative.

Damon Kelly, 2 x Olympian, 2 x National Champion, former Australian Weightlifting Federation board director.

Cassie Fien, Marathon runner. Won 2016 Oceania Half Marathon Championships. Sanctioned athlete.

Tom Symonds, Rugby league player, Players Operations Manager at Rugby League Players Association.

Jenna O’Hea, Australian Opals Captain, Lifeline Mental Health Ambassador

Sam Poolman, Retired professional netball player, Board Member Australia Netball Players Association.