Frequently Asked Questions

  • Sports integrity refers to the systems, policies, and behaviours that ensure sport is conducted fairly, ethically, and transparently.

    This includes protecting sport from risks such as:

    • Match fixing and manipulation of competitions

    • Doping and prohibited substances

    • Safeguarding and child protection issues

    • Harassment, discrimination, and abuse

    • Governance failures and conflicts of interest

    • Behavioural misconduct

    • Emerging issues - concussion, human rights, technology, climate change, IP, and sportswashing etc

    Strong integrity frameworks protect athletes, clubs, governing bodies, sponsors, and fans — while safeguarding the reputation of the sport itself.

  • Integrity and governance are closely connected.

    Governance structures determine:

    • Who makes decisions

    • How conflicts are managed

    • How complaints are investigated

    • How rules are enforced

    • How organisations manage risk

    Strong governance is the foundation of effective integrity systems.

  • Integrity failures can cause serious legal, commercial, and reputational damage.

    Consequences may include:

    • Regulatory investigations

    • Loss of sponsors and commercial partners

    • Litigation and disputes

    • Government intervention or funding loss

    • Damage to athlete welfare

    • Long-term reputational harm

    Modern sports organisations are expected to demonstrate robust governance and integrity systems, not simply respond when issues arise.

  • Game Integrity provides independent integrity and governance advisory services to sports organisations, leagues, teams, and related stakeholders.

    Our services include:

    • Integrity framework reviews

    • Governance reviews and board advisory

    • Policy development and rule drafting

    • Independent investigations

    • Disciplinary process design

    • Risk assessments and integrity audits

    • Integrity education and training programs

    • Strategic advice for boards and executives

    Our work is focused on helping organisations prevent problems before they become crises.

  • Game Integrity is led by an experienced sports lawyer with deep expertise in governance and integrity issues in sport.

    This means our clients benefit from:

    • Legal insight into governance and regulatory risks

    • Practical experience dealing with sports disputes and investigations

    • Understanding of how integrity frameworks operate in real sporting environments

    • Independent, objective advice grounded in legal and regulatory reality

    In many cases, the best integrity advice comes from professionals who understand both the legal framework and the sporting ecosystem.

  • Game Integrity works with organisations across the sporting ecosystem, including:

    • National sporting organisations

    • State sporting organisations

    • Professional leagues and competitions

    • Clubs and teams

    • Athlete associations

    • Sports investors and ownership groups

    • Esports organisations

    We work with organisations in Australia and internationally.

  • Our consultants have been working in sport integrity for over a decade - well before SIA expanded its responsibilities as it developed beyond ASADA and anti-doping and well before the NIF.

    Since its expansion and the rollout of the NIF, we have been engaged by SIA to provide consulting services on an esports industry review.

    SIA and its team are world leaders in sport integrity and the adoption of the NIF by the vast majority of Australian NSO’s means that Australian sport has the appropriate integrity protections in place.

    We work to support and compliment the excellent team at SIA to assist NSOs with the implementation, management, and enforcement of their integrity programs with SSOs and other stakeholders, leading to better integrity processes and cultures.

  • Many organisations seek integrity advice after a problem occurs.

    However, the most effective approach is preventative governance.

    You should consider integrity advice when:

    • Establishing or reforming governance structures

    • Creating or updating integrity policies

    • Investigating complaints or allegations

    • Managing a reputational risk issue

    • Preparing for regulatory scrutiny

    • Responding to betting or match-fixing risks

    • Conducting an independent integrity review

    Early advice can prevent issues escalating into serious disputes or crises.

  • Yes.

    Game Integrity can assist with independent governance and integrity reviews and investigations, including matters involving:

    • NIF management and compliance

    • Governance issues

    • Conflicts of interest

    • NIF complaints and reports

    • Code of conduct breaches

    • Behavioural misconduct

    • Emerging issues - concussion, human rights, technology, climate change, IP, sportswashing

    Investigations are conducted with independence, procedural fairness, and confidentiality.

  • Yes.

    Many integrity issues originate from weak governance structures or unclear decision-making processes.

    Game Integrity regularly works with:

    • Boards

    • CEOs and senior executives

    • Integrity units

    • Governance committees

    We assist with governance frameworks, board advisory, and risk management to strengthen organisational resilience.

  • Yes.

    Education is one of the most effective tools in protecting sport and our Lead Consultant, Mat Jessep, is an experienced sports law, governance, and integrity educator.

    Mat has developed and taught sports integrity and governance courses at Victoria University, Melbourne Law School, University of Technology Sydney, and University of New South Wales.

    Game Integrity offers tailored training for:

    • Boards and executives

    • Athletes and teams

    • Coaches and support staff

    • Administrators and officials

    Training programs can cover topics such as:

    • SIA’s NIF policies

    • Match fixing awareness

    • Anti-corruption risks

    • Governance responsibilities

    • Complaint Management

    • Safeguarding and member protection

    • Integrity investigations.

  • Yes.

    Game Integrity can support organisations across Australia and globally, particularly where integrity issues intersect with:

    • international competitions

    • cross-border governance structures

    • global betting markets

    • multinational ownership or investment

    Sport is increasingly global — integrity frameworks must be designed, implemented, and enforced accordingly.

  • The first step is a confidential discussion about your organisation and the challenges you are facing.

    Many clients begin with:

    • an integrity review

    • a governance health check

    • independent advice on a specific issue

    From there, we design practical and cost-effective solutions tailored to your sport and organisation.