Allegations of abuse in Australian figure skating and related issues

[Aussie Willy]

Thanks for posting the links @Sylvia.

Personally I am glad that SIA is getting involved. As a sport we all need to learn about how we can manage these situations. But as we have discussed in previous posts SIA can play a role in helping ISA through it. They are going through a massive learning curve. As PRLady suggested even when it comes to media most of the time the members of the board may not have the skills to effectively navigate this space. Hence why you are not hearing much from ISA.

Just something else I was thinking about.

Many of these situations happen around the rinks and places where the skaters train. And coaches are employed or have agreements to be able to coach at the rinks. Most of those are privately run facilities except for a couple that have different ownership arrangements. Unless an incident happens directly at a competition or training situation that is organised by one of the associations, then until these things arise like they have been, most of the individuals at the adminstrative levels of the sport wouldn't even be aware.

So I would hope that this becomes part of any investigation the role that rinks play but also due diligence for employment of coaches.

 

[Wyliefan]

"Ice Skating Australia stripped of status after abuse allegations"

x.com

x.com

Can anyone access the article linked here, and report what's going on?

 

[victorskid]

"Ice Skating Australia stripped of status after abuse allegations"

x.com

x.com

Can anyone access the article linked here, and report what's going on?

For those who don't go to X, the post from AnythingGOEs:
"Ice Skating Australia have been stripped of their status as a national sporting organisation making them ineligible for benefits including access to public funding following the recent accusations of abuse. They cannot reapply until March 2025."
The link is to an article in The Daily Telegraph which requires a subscription.

 

[Rukia]

"Ice Skating Australia stripped of status after abuse allegations"

x.com

x.com

Can anyone access the article linked here, and report what's going on?

see if this link works for you, but basically a lot has come forth since Brendan's safesport case was made public that seems to show widespread issues

 

[Wyliefan]

That works, @Rukia, thank you. What a horrible mess.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Does this change their status as the official Federation for the ISU purposes?

 

[Debbie S]

Yikes, a mess indeed. But if this is what it takes for them to clean up their act...

Many in the U.S. gymnastics community asked for this to happen with USA Gym after the Nassar abuse became known. They were not decertified but they did clean house. I would expect the AUS fed to do some serious housecleaning, to start.

 

[Angelskates]

They have a new post on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/136415049731833?ref=embed_page

 

[Rukia]

They have a new post on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/136415049731833?ref=embed_page

well that's...interesting

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

They have a new post on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/136415049731833?ref=embed_page

Talk about going from bad to worse.

 

[Debbie S]

I guess they won't be cleaning house.

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

So exactly how is the ASC decision not related to recent matters? I would find that very concerning if the ASC just went around making decisions like that for no reason at all.

 

[overedge]

So exactly how is the ASC decision not related to recent matters? I would find that very concerning if the ASC just went around making decisions like that for no reason at all.

The implication seems to be, by mentioning the two sets of events, that the ASC decision has something to do with ISA changing its form of incorporation. Which I don't think too many people are going to accept as a valid explanation.

 

[Mezzy09]

The ASC has a whole raft of requirements for ALL sporting organisation to remain under them. The many many requirements are complex and time consuming and include a new constitution.

As I understand it ISA are nearly there and are currently organising a new constitution to fit and they are of course including all the states in the consultation process which I guess it time consuming and has caused it to drag out time wise.

This has absolutely nothing to do with the Brendan Kerry allegations.

 

[Aussie Willy]

The ASC has a whole raft of requirements for ALL sporting organisation to remain under them. The many many requirements are complex and time consuming and include a new constitution.

As I understand it ISA are nearly there and are currently organising a new constitution to fit and they are of course including all the states in the consultation process which I guess it time consuming and has caused it to drag out time wise.

This has absolutely nothing to do with the Brendan Kerry allegations.

This is correct. ISA currently has compliance obligations they need to go through to maintain their status as a peak sporting association. This includes becoming a Corporation rather than being an Incorporated Association. And also includes a new constitution which needs to be approved by the ISA Members (State and Territories). ISA are working through this process.

ISA are not the only ones who are going through this. All national sporting associations have the same requirements.

Unfortunately the Murdoch press are going to their darndest to make out that there is something nefarious going on without fully presenting the correct information.

I am involved as an ISA delegate so if you have any questions about this ask and I will answer to the best of my knowledge.

 

[overedge]

Is it necessary for Ice Skating Australia to not be recognized as an NSO, and to not be funded, until at least March 2025 because of the constitutional change? Are other federations also being funded until their constitutions are aligned?

 

[Mezzy09]

ISA does not receive any funding from the ASC

 

[overedge]

ISA does not receive any funding from the ASC

What about it not being recognized as an NSO? Are other sport organizations also not being recognized until their constitutions or structures are revised?

 

[Aussie Willy]

Here is the website for the Australian Sports Commission.

Australian Sports Commission

The Australian Institute of Sport is calling for expressions of interest in the 2024 Athlete Accelerate Program which supports retired women athletes who are pursuing career options in the sports sector.

www.ausport.gov.au

Also here is the link for the page regarding Recognition of NSOs

Recognition of National Sporting Organisations

Sport Australia is determined to have more Australians participating and excelling in sport, from grass-roots right up to the pinnacle of elite competition.

www.sportaus.gov.au

It talks about criteria for recognition.

I am not sure if there are any other organisations who are having difficulty meeting the criteria. ISA would not be the only ones as most of them are volunteer run organisations.

Just scanning the list. I can't find Ice Racing Australia which is speed skating.

Australian Sports Directory

www.sportaus.gov.au

 

[Bunny Hop]

ISU Responds to issues in Australian ice skating (does not appear to be paywalled right now)

 

[Wyliefan]

It's paywalled.

 

[Bunny Hop]

Yep, husband couldn't read it either, but I was somehow able to access.

Below is the pertinent bit and may mean nothing (in the context of Aussie Willy's explanations above). The rest of the article is around concerns of adult skaters that whilst current policies heavily focus on protecting minors that there are also bullying issues with regard to adults and there is no avenue to have those investigated.

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.”

 

[Mezzy09]

Yep, husband couldn't read it either, but I was somehow able to access.

Below is the pertinent bit and may mean nothing (in the context of Aussie Willy's explanations above). The rest of the article is around concerns of adult skaters that whilst current policies heavily focus on protecting minors that there are also bullying issues with regard to adults and there is no avenue to have those investigated.

 

[Mezzy09]

That Julian guy writing all the articles seems to be chasing a story but fetch just isn’t happening for him.

Now he’s moved onto adult skaters. I’m surprised anyone would even speak to him.

 

[Bunny Hop]

Now he’s moved onto adult skaters. I’m surprised anyone would even speak to him.

Adult skaters have less to lose than those aiming for an elite competitive career in the sense that skating is not going to be the only thing in their lives. They would be more inclined to try and highlight issues which do exist than those who know they are killing their prospects by not toeing the line. Whilst I agree the reporting is sensationalist in tone, at the moment he's the only one writing about it, so I get why people hope some good may come of it by keeping the story in the news.

 

[Mezzy09]

Most of what he’s saying is nonsense though

 

[Aussie Willy]

That guy is just trying to create problems. Being a representative of Adult Skating here in Australia in my role, I can state that I think the claims being presented by one of the individuals are questionable. Anyone here is more than welcome to message me personally about it.

There is a lot more to what is being presented in that article.

 

[Aussie Willy]

Just an update from what I can report.

ISA are currently working through resolving the requirements as requested by the Australian Sports Commission. They are not the only ones. A number of other National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) are in the same situation.

Basically the ASO just cut off anyone who didn't satisfy their requirements by 30th June.

It is unfortunate with the timing of the other major issues and that stupid journalist's obsession with it that ISA is the focus. He could be writing about the situation for all the sporting organisations and what they are having to go through. Do an analysis of what the problem is generally for all sporting bodies instead of attacking a minority sport.

 

[Sylvia]

Brendan Kerry was ruled permanently ineligible on Sept. 16, 2024 - from the U.S. Center for SafeSport's Centralized Disciplinary Database:

Brendan Kerry

U.S. Figure Skating

Sexual Misconduct - involving a minor

Permanent Ineligibility

No Contact Directive(s)

09/16/2024

U.S. Center for SafeSport

 

[Angelskates]

Posted by @Sylvia in the other thread but relevant here too: https://www.wsj.com/sports/olympics...8?st=JFAnJ4&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink (no subscription required)