The State Sport Dispute Centre has been established to provide a confidential and impartial mediation and dispute resolution service for the South Australian sporting community. The SSDC will supply trained and independent member protection information officers, mediators, facilitators and arbitrators who will assist the parties in a dispute to reach an agreement. 

Why is the State Sport Dispute Centre needed?

The SSDC provides an alternative way of settling disputes prior to potential to litigation.

Management

The SSDC is managed by Sport SA and overseen by an Advisory Management Committee comprising of a Sport SA Director and staff, current mediators, state sporting organisation representative and Office for Recreation and Sport nominee, supported by a panel of trained Member Protection Information Officers, Mediators and Arbitrators, all with extensive experience in the field.
 
Memorandum of Agreement

Sports wishing to utilise the services of the SSDC will enter into an agreement (MOA) with Sport SA which confirms the ability of their organisation to successfully integrate the services provided by the SSDC and to pay applicable fees and charges in return for the provision of a specific service.

What services are provided by the SSDC?

Advice and Referral

Provision of free independent, impartial advice provided in a confidential setting and where it is deemed inappropriate for the SSDC to deal with the specific issue, referral to a more appropriate agency/organisation may be deemed as the most suitable outcome.

These agencies include:
• Equal Opportunities Commission
• Industrial Relations Commission
• Office of the Employee Ombudsman
• South Australian Police
• Families SA (formerly Department of Families and Communities).

Member Protection Information Officers (MPIOs)

Trained MPIOs are the first point of call in a club or sporting organisation for any enquiries, concerns or complaints about harassment and abuse. The officer provides confidential information and moral support to the person with the concern or who is alleging harassment.

Independent Chair (Fees apply)

The provision of a trained and independent person to chair a Tribunal, Disciplinary Hearing or Appeal.

Mediation (Fees apply)
 
A formal process where an impartial third party (the SSDC) helps disputing parties to find mutually satisfactory solutions to their differences. Mediation can resolve disputes quickly and satisfactorily, without the expense and delay of formal investigation and litigation. Mediation proceedings are confidential and voluntary for all parties. Mediation typically involves one or more meetings (as deemed necessary) between the disputing parties and the mediator.
Mediation provides a safe environment for the parties to air their differences and reach a mutually agreeable resolution. Mediators are NOT judges. Their role is to manage the process through which parties resolve their conflict, not to decide how the conflict should be resolved. They do this by assuring the fairness of the mediation process, facilitating communication, and maintaining the balance of power between the parties.
A successful mediation results in a binding agreement between the parties. If mediation is unsuccessful and no agreement can be reached, arbitration may be necessary.

Arbitration (Fees apply)

The formal settling of a dispute by an impartial party who will make a ruling (a binding decision being the outcome) on the matter and will compel both parties to adhere to the ruling.

Policy Development 

Assistance can be provided to sporting organisations to develop grievance policies and procedures, hearing guidelines and appeal processes.

Who can use the services of the State Sport Dispute Centre?

Members of Sport SA who enter into a Memorandum of Agreement and ensure that their rules and by-laws are consistent with the process of the SSDC.

Fees and Charges

Mediation: $125 (up to 3 hours) then $100 per hour
Independent Chair: $125 (up to 3 hours)
Arbitration: Based on market rates.

Information Brochure

Memorandum of Agreement

Useful links:

Play By the Rules - Provides information and online learning about how to prevent and deal with discrimination, harrassment and child abuse for the sport and recreation industry.

ANZSLA the sports law association - Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association Inc. is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing education, advocacy and networking opportunities on legal issues in sport to Australian and New Zealand sporting industries.

For further information on how the SSDC may be able to assist you, or to discuss issues in a confidential manner, please contact Jan Sutherland on 8353 7755 or email .