Former AFP assistant commissioner David Sharpe to lead Sports Integrity Australia

A former AFP assistant commissioner who has also wrangled drug cheats with ASADA will head up a new agency, Sport Integrity Australia, which will have wide-ranging powers.

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He’s the crime-fighting former AFP assistant commissioner who has also wrangled drug cheats with ASADA.

David Sharpe has been appointed CEO of the soon-to-be-formed agency Sport Integrity Australia.

The powerful new agency has been designed to clamp down on integrity issues with an intent to focus on anti-doping, intelligence, education and policy delivery.

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Former AFP assistant commissioner David Sharpe will head Sport Integrity Australia. Picture: Jack Tran

Currently the CEO of ASADA (Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency), Sharpe is a decorated former Australian Federal Police officer and sporting administrator.

In February 2019, the Government committed to the establishment of Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) in response to the Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements (Wood Review).

The Wood Review was the most comprehensive examination of sports integrity arrangements undertaken in Australia and found sports are challenged by a range of mounting integrity threats.

At the heart of the Wood Review was a recommendation, accepted by Government, that a new agency be established to cohesively draw together and develop existing sports integrity capabilities, knowledge and expertise.

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Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said Sharpe would oversee the new body from July 1, bringing together the functions of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), the National Integrity of Sport Unit (NISU) in the Department of Health, and the nationally focused integrity functions of Sport Australia.

“Sport Integrity Australia’s focus will be on policy and program delivery, education and outreach, anti-doping regulation including monitoring and intelligence,” Colbeck said.

“Sport is part of the Australian vernacular but its integrity is just as important to its athletes and audience. I have every confidence Mr Sharpe is best positioned to ensure our rich sporting sector stays on track now and into the future.”

Originally published as Former AFP assistant commissioner David Sharpe to lead Sports Integrity Australia