International Skating Union responds to issues in Australian ice skating

The International Skating Union has confirmed it is investigating Ice Skating Australia as skaters call for a wider investigation.

Brendan Kerry performs during the World Figure Skating Championships in 2017. Picture: EPA/MARKKU OJALA

Ice skating’s global body has begun looking at how the sport is being run in Australia after the government revoked its recognition of Ice Skate Australia (ISA) as a national sporting organisation.

While refusing to comment on specifics around the unfolding situation, the sport’s global governing body told this masthead it was now aware there were some issues that needed looking into.

“The International Skating Union (ISU) learned through media reports about Ice Skating Australia (ISA) being deprived of its National Sporting Organization (NSO) status. The ISU is currently in the process of gathering further information from relevant stakeholders to understand the circumstances and implications of this decision.

“The ISU remains committed to upholding the highest standards of governance and integrity in ice-skating sports globally, and is consequently addressing this case with the utmost sensitivity and diligence.”

Sydney’s Macquarie Ice Rink

The news comes at the same time adult skaters are calling for changes to the way their complaints are managed.

Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) has embedded one of its protection officers within the sport to manage any grievances from participants, but not everyone is convinced that will be enough.

A number of adult competitors have contacted this masthead saying they think the existing rules around investigating complaints don’t go far enough because they are heavily focused towards protecting minors rather than people of all ages.

A spokesman for SIA confirmed there were limits on what the sporting watchdog could look into relating to adult participants.

“Where SIA receives reports or complaints from adult complainants they are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Areas in which SIA may be able to act include cases of discrimination based on grounds such as race, disability, sex, age, sexual orientation, or religion and some forms of incidents of abuse and vilification on the basis of the same grounds,” SIA said.

“Incidents of inter-personal conflict not based on these grounds may not be able to be addressed by SIA and are referred to the sport organisation. In referring these matters, SIA partners with the sport and provides guidance material, support, and templates to assist in the process. This collaboration is often facilitated through the National Integrity Manager network.”

Frustrated adult skaters are speaking out.

West Australian skater Celeste Milner has started her own online campaign calling for changes to the way adult bullying in all sports is investigated. Almost 1,500 people have signed an online petition.

Another skater from Victoria, Julie Kernich, is also calling for a review into the way adult complaints are managed.

“There needs to be an independent investigation of the running of this sport and all these cases need to be opened and looked at,” she said.

“And there should be an independent tribunal for cases for people to go to.

“We need an independent board like the footy players have because the government isn’t doing their duty towards ensuring safe sports in the adult world.

“People are being harmed. So this isn’t just a light thing, It’s not just some figure skaters being sooks, this is people’s world and life.”

Originally published as International Skating Union responds to issues in Australian ice skating