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What is intentional misrepresentation (IM)?
IM is a type of integrity breach in Para-sport. It refers to an athlete or athlete support person intentionally misleading or attempting to mislead in any aspect of classification. Learn more about IM here.
Establishing the Panel
The Panel’s remit is to manage national-level IM complaints. The Panel will also support the broader education program aimed at protecting the integrity of Para-sport through fostering a culture of positive behaviours that follows through to the international level.
The recruitment process included representatives from Sport Integrity Australia, University of Queensland and the AIS. Including independent parties with expertise in the four specific areas helped with finding 14 outstanding candidates.
Sally Guest, PA’s Integrity Manager explains: “Given the specific nature of intentional misrepresentation, we need expertise in Para-sport, classification and sport law to ensure relevant and robust decisions are made.
“It’s a huge responsibility when deciding the outcome of a case. We are dealing with people’s lives. The 14 members who have expertise across legal, investigations, classification and the sport industry, at international Para-sport and national multi-sport levels, have world-leading capability to manage national-level IM issues with fairness, respect and professionalism.”
Mark Copeland, Legal Panel Member adds: “I wholeheartedly believe that sport should be conducted on a fair and level playing field. Without this foundation, the inherently positive nature of sport can be ruined for the athlete and spectators. I am confident the Panel forms an effective cog in the wider global effort to ensure that fairness in sporting competition remains an inviolable principle.”
Cameron Murray, Paralympics Australia Interim CEO explains the importance of the Panel being operationally independent of PA: “The independence and transparency of the Panel is paramount to build the Para-sport community’s trust in its decisions.
“This Panel is the first of its kind in Australia and one of the first worldwide. It shows how seriously Paralympics Australia takes integrity and its ambition to maintain fair and equitable competition for everyone. There was an extensive recruitment process that led to over 50 quality applicants.”
Panel Members support IM Education Program
We are thrilled by the Panel members’ enthusiasm to support the development of processes and education around the topic of intentional misrepresentation.
Classification Panel member and Physiotherapist, Ben Bowtell said: “Classifying is such an integral part to the Paralympic movement. The Panel is an opportunity to continue to educate the community and develop and deliver specific Para-sport integrity resources.”
The Panel members attended an extensive two-day induction at PA headquarters in Sydney earlier this year. Guest said: “The induction enabled us to identify gaps and opportunities in both the complaint management process and education space. We have already commenced the IM Safeguarding NSO Toolkit, and more initiatives are in the pipeline.
“Classification is the cornerstone of Paralympic sport. It enables fair competition for people with eligible impairments. It is therefore vital we protect it for the athletes and support personnel who follow the rules and have processes for the minority who break them. The Panel is a valuable tool in our armoury to protect the integrity of classification.”
Call to action
Has your NSO/D adopted the NIF or do you provide Para-sport competition? Have you included the Intentional Misrepresentation clauses to your sport’s CDDP and CMSG Policies or equivalent national policies? If not, reach out to [email protected] for support on how to do this.
For information on how you can report IM or learn about the well-being support services for affected parties, visit our integrity webpage, here.
Who are the 14 IMIP Members?
1. John Boultbee (Legal)
Current Position: CAS Arbitrator
Professional Background: Former barrister, inaugural CEO of the National Sports Tribunal. Various senior positions at several international and national sporting organisations.
What is John looking forward to by being involved in the IMIP: “Having been involved in some IM hearings in the past, and being involved in the inclusion of IM in the National Integrity Framework and the CDDP (the original versions), I am keen to be part of PA’s thoughtful plans for dealing with these difficult matters, if and when they arise, and to work with the other Panel members who bring a great diversity and depth of knowledge to the Panel.”
Three words that John uses to sum up his professional and personal values: Impartiality, fairness, athlete centred.
2. Venetia Bennett (Legal)
Current Position: Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
Professional Background: Venetia Bennett is an experienced commercial litigator whose practice also includes advising and representing industry stakeholders in sports disputes, integrity and investigations. Venetia has been involved as a member or chair of sports tribunals and panels for nearly two decades and was appointed as an inaugural member of the National Sports Tribunal in 2020.
What is Venetia looking forward to by being involved in the IMIP: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to assist Paralympics Australia in maintaining the integrity of Paralympic sport in Australia as it works through the incredibly challenging issues that arise from allegations of intentional misrepresentation.”
Three words that Venetia uses to sum up her professional and personal values: Integrity, service, embracing opportunities.
3. Raffaele Piccolo (Legal and Investigation)
Current Position: Barrister
Professional Background: A member of the independent bar in South Australia, Raffaele specialises in criminal law, disciplinary proceedings, employment and industrial law, inquiries and inquests, administrative law, and appeals.
What is Raffaele looking forward to by being involved in the IMIP: “I am a former football referee with a keen passion for sport. I’m looking forward to continuing my sports involvement as a member of the IMIP”.
Three words that Raffaele uses to sum his professional and personal values: Professionalism, courage, transparency.
4. Juanita Maiden (Legal)
Current Position: Senior Associate, Mullins Lawyers.
Professional Background: Juanita is an experienced commercial lawyer, with expertise in sports law. She is a member of the Australian & NZ Sports Law Association and currently sits on the Queensland Racing Appeals Panel and as Chair of the AFL Queensland Appeals Panel.
What is Juanita looking forward to by being involved in the IMIP: “I’m looking forward to working with Paralympics Australia and the rest of the Panel in improving integrity processes and outcomes in the Paralympic movement.”
Three words that Juanita uses to sum up her professional and personal values: Communication, fairness, honesty.
5. Mark Copeland (Legal)
Current Position: Director/Principal, Mark Copeland Lawyers, New Zealand.
Professional Background: A senior commercial, disputes resolution & sports lawyer with over 30 years’ worldwide experience in transactions and disputes. Mark has a lengthy national and international involvement in Para-sport, including in athlete integrity issues.
What is Mark looking forward to by being involved in the IMIP: “I wholeheartedly believe that sport should be conducted on a fair and level playing field. Without this foundation, the inherently positive nature of sport can be ruined for the athlete and spectators. I am hopeful that my involvement in the IMIP will ensure the Panel forms an effective cog in the wider global effort to ensure that fairness in sporting competition remains an inviolable principle.”
Three words that Mark uses to sum up his professional and personal values: Fairness, honesty, respect.
6. Richard Burgess (Legal)
Current Position: Senior Legal Counsel | General Manager – Integrity (Football Australia).
Professional Background: Richard is a lawyer at Football Australia where he advises on the commercial, integrity and regulatory practice areas of the national sporting organisation’s business. His experience spans contract, intellectual property, privacy, employment, competition, governance and sports law.
What is Richard looking forward to by being involved in the IMIP: “I look forward to using my skills and experience to promote a safe, fair and enjoyable environment for all Australians wishing to participate in sport.”
Three words that Richard uses to sum up his professional and personal values: Authenticity, curiosity, fairness.
7. Iain Dutia (Classification)
Current Position: Lecturer in the School of Allied Health at the Australian Catholic University.
Professional Background: Iain’s professional background is in physiotherapy, with clinical and research interests in adapted physical activity and sport for people with disabilities. Iain is a classifier in Para-athletics, Para-canoe and is a member of the World Para-swimming high support needs working group.
What is Iain looking forward to by being involved in the IMIP: “I’m passionate about Para-sport and I’m looking forward to contributing to the IMIP, which represents an opportunity to advance the integrity of our classification processes in Australia.”
Three words that Iain uses to sum up his professional and personal values: Honesty, compassion and fairness.
8. Claire Tucak (Classification)
Current Position: APA Neurological Physiotherapist working as a research/clinic physiotherapist.
Professional Background: Claire has extensive experience in neurological physiotherapy in acute, rehabilitation and outpatient settings. Claire is a classifier in Para-athletics and wheelchair rugby.
What is Claire looking forward to by being involved in the IMIP: “It is an exciting new opportunity where I can utilise my knowledge and experience in Para-sport classification.”
Three words that Claire uses to sum up her professional and personal values: Respect, reliability, connections.
9. Ben Bowtell (Classification)
Current Position: Advanced Scope Physiotherapist, Emergency Department.
Professional Background: An APA Sports & Exercise, and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. Previously a head therapist at Cirque du Soleil, worked at the Department of Defence, Commonwealth Games and Invictus Games, and a Paralympic classifier in Para-athletics, Para-badminton and Para-powerlifting.
What is Ben looking forward to by being involved in the IMIP: “Classifying is such an integral part to the Paralympic movement, the IMIP is an opportunity to continue to educate the community and develop Para-sport.”
Three words that Ben uses to sum up the Panel Members professional and personal values: Inclusivity, Optimism and Aspirational.
10. Keren Faulkner (Classification)
Current Position: Director, South Australian Sports Institute.
Professional Background: Initially a sports and exercise physiotherapist, working with Para-athletes across a range of sports at the Australian Institute of Sport, Keren transitioned to sports administration at AusCycling and then the South Australian Sports Institute where she is now the Director. Keren is involved in several sporting and health organisations and has supported Australian teams at Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games.
What is Keren looking forward to by being involved in the IMIP: “Integrity in sport underpins our national strategies of Win Well and Play Well. I want to ensure that Para-sport is held in the highest regard when it comes to integrity and fairness to all who participate.”
Three words that Keren uses to sum up her professional and personal values: Collaboration, respect, inclusion.
11. Kate Walker (Investigations)
Current Position: National Integrity Manager Capability Lead at SIA.
Professional Background: Kate has worked in integrity in sport for over 10 years, most recently as a National Integrity Manager at an NSO which included conducting investigations and establishing an internal tribunal.
What is Kate looking forward to by being involved in the IMIP: “I’m looking forward to fact finding, working with like-minded people and helping uphold the integrity of Para-sport.”
Three words that Kate uses to sum up her professional and personal values: Integrity, professionalism and responsibility.
12. Ross Ashcroft (Sport Industry)
Current Position: National Integrity Manager, Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability [ASAPD].
Professional Background: Ross brings a diverse professional and educational background encompassing tertiary and vocational qualifications and practical experience across a range of fields including human rights, advocacy, governance, integrity management and high-performance sport.
What is Ross looking forward to by being involved in the IMIP: “Protecting the integrity of sport and the rights of honest athletes through proactive education about intentional misrepresentation and ensuring we prevent people continuing where there have been proven allegations of intentional misrepresentation.”
Three words that Ross uses to sum up his professional and personal values: Human rights, empathy, curiosity/empowerment.
13. Alexandra (Triolo) Ash (Sport Industry)
Current Position: CEO at Y Australia, President, Royal Lifesaving Society Australia Chair, ActiveXchange Asia Pacific.
Professional Background: Alexandra has 15 years’ experience in recreation and leisure management, along with executive and non-executive roles in National Sport Federations, most recently as CEO of Gymnastics Australia.
What is Alex looking forward to by being involved in the IMIP: “I love sport and the power of sport. The ability to continue to be involved and utilise the many skills developed whilst I was in sport executive roles motivates me. Integrity and fairness was a cornerstone to my time at gymnastics, hence my motivation to be on the panel.”
Three words that Alex uses to sum up her professional and personal values: Approachable, relatable and available.
14. Deborah Begg (Sport Industry)
Current Position: Athlete and Corporate Services Executive.
Professional Background: More than two decades of work in the disability sector, working across employment, participation, and advocacy. Deborah’s experience in integrity and complaints management has carried over to the sports sector, ensuring fairness and ethical standards are upheld.
What is Deb looking forward to by being involved in the IMIP: “I look forward to ensuring that integrity is maintained in Para-sport, so it is clean, fair and honest.”
Three words that Deb uses to sum up her professional and personal values: Equity, transparency, and respect.
The three relevant policies are:
1. National Integrity Framework Competition Manipulation and Sport Gambling Policy.
2. National Integrity Framework Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy.
3. PA Classification Standard – Intentional Misrepresentation
