Integrity and Policies
Introduction
The Australia Fencing Federation is governed by the AFF Constitution and a range of corporate documents that give effect to the governance structure of the AFF.
Effective August 3, 2024, the AFF will be adopting the National Integrity Framework, as well as updating a range of other AFF Policies.
The adoption of the NIF and the deployment of definitions across the majority of AFF Policies makes policies, regulations, stipulations and rules easier to follow. Importantly, in making these changes the AFF is raising the standard of behaviour and integrity that all Relevant Persons must adhere to in participating in Relevant Organisation Activities (i.e. AFF and State based fencing activities), and importantly increasing the expectation of mutual respect for all members of our fencing community. The Code of Conduct and other policies sets out very clear expectations of standards.
Corporate Documents
AFF Policy Framework
Application of Australian Fencing Federation Policies
All Member States are bound by the AFF Constitution, its policies, regulations, statutes, guidelines and rules. In turn, all Member State club members are also bound by all of their Member States Constitutions ,their Member States obligations to the AFF, and are bound by the AFF policies, regulations, statutes, guidelines and rules when engaged in fencing (Activities*) as Affiliate Members of the AFF, as too are fencers that are members of Members States, as AFF Individual Members.
All Participants*, Relevant Persons*, and Relevant Organisations, whether they are members of Member States, or not, are also bound by the NIF Policies* , NIF-Affiliated Policies, and AFF Sport Policies when engaged in AFF and Relevant Organisation* Activities*.
Non-breach of AFF Policies is a condition of entry into and involvement in AFF and Relevant Organisation Activities.
* Definitions are the same as those deployed in the Complaints, Disputes, and Discipline Policy
AFF Policy Structure
AFF Policies is here used to describe policies, regulations, statutes, guidelines and rules, (together these are referred to as AFF Policies).
There are three main policy areas (together the AFF Policies):
National Integrity Framework (NIF Policies)
From August 3, 2024, the AFF adopts the National Integrity Framework and with it the NIF Policies and NIF-Aligned Policies become effective.
The NIF is governed by the Complaints, Disputes, and Discipline Policy (CDDP), which sets out how complaints, disputes and discipline are to be managed, and includes the following policies:
For further information on the National Integrity Framework please see here. National Integrity Framework
National Integrity Framework - Aligned Policies
In addition to these policies, there are a number of policies, regulations, statutes, guidelines and rules that may either be dealt with directly by the AFF or be referred to the CDDP process to be dealt with. These are called NIF Aligned Policies:
AFF Sport Policies
There are also policies, regulations, statutes, guidelines and rules that are outside of the scope of the CDDP, which remain AFF Sport Policies and are dealt with exclusively by the AFF:
Competitions
High Performance
Procedural
International Coaching
Other
Policy Breaches
Where a Relevant Person is a not a member of a Member State, and has been deemed by the AFF to have breached an AFF NIF Policy, NIF Affiliated Policy or AFF Sports Policy, they will be subject to discipline under either the Complaints, Disputes, and Discipline Policy (CDDP) for NIF Policy, NIF Aligned Policy or for a breach of an AFF Sport Policy as per the respective policy, regulation, rule, or guideline, and as if they were bound by the same policies as an Affiliate Member. Policies only apply to the sport of fencing and its Activities* of Relevant Organisations.
Conditions of Entry to AFF Activities
The AFF requires that all Relevant Persons and Relevant Organisations do not breach AFF Policies as a condition of entry to AFF Activities.
Definitions
* Definitions deployed are the same as those in the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy.
Complaints Process
Who manages complaints?
This depends on the type of complaint that is being reported. Please see diagram below.
Complaints about alleged conduct under the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy or Discrimination based on Protected Characteristics including race, disability, sex, religion or age can be submitted to Sport Integrity Australia. People can lodge a Complaint regarding discrimination or breaches of the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy to Sport Integrity Australia using the online form. Assistance is available by calling 1300 027 232 and selecting option 3 or contactus@sportintegrity.gov.au.
All other integrity complaints will be managed by the Australian Fencing Federation.
Where the complaint relates to bullying, you can consult AFF Policies to see if the behaviour is prohibited conduct. Please also see here for further options.
Policy Breaches
All other complaints of potential policy breaches can be lodged with the Australian Fencing Federation at complaint.manager@fencing.org.au
Complaints Disputes and Discipline Policy
Complaints Process - Step by Step.
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